Houston ISD to Pilot Schools Focused on AI

Tribune News Service — Houston ISD’s state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles says the district will pilot two schools designed to train students for a future where artificial intelligence “will be ubiquitous,” even as key details about the plan remain unclear.

Miles briefly introduced the so-called “Future 2 Schools” during a back-to-school convocation, alongside a program for remote learning that has since been paused.

Miles’ announcement about the new AI-focused schools came at the board of managers’ meeting last week, amid renewed talk of potential school consolidations. HISD previously planned to close up to 10 schools next year, but has backed away from that.

For “Future 2,” HISD will pilot two K-8 schools that don’t currently offer kindergarten through eighth grade. Students proficient in core subjects would access accelerated coursework on an online platform. The Houston Chronicle asked clarifying questions but did not receive a response.

“If you don’t attempt to envision and act upon some likely future, then any path forward will do — and it’s likely to be the path you’re on,” Miles told the board. He continued to talk about changing technology and the potential impact of school choice. “This is the problem of traditional public education. They’re always behind the technology and the jobs.”

At the new schools, fifth- and sixth-graders would take semester-long courses that focused on AI tools, “design thinking,” “study of cultures” and “how things work.” The students would take those four courses over two years.

Under the “Future 2” model, students would take part in “experiences” centered on skills Miles said are becoming more valuable as AI spreads. His board presentation highlighted activities like “designing a future self through reflection, planning and real-world exploration” and “building empathy and teamwork through a shared, instruction-free challenge.”

“We have got to ensure that our students not only do reading, writing, math, science ... and the experiences that will give them perspective, leadership, decision-making, empathy, problem-solving, innovation, improvisation,” Miles said. “Those things that we’re talking about are needed by the workforce.”

The Houston Chronicle requested the superintendent’s “Future 2” concept paper shared with the board, but the district did not respond.

As HISD enrollment continues to drop, Miles said the district has been losing about $50 million to $60 million per year in funding.

He pointed to several possible funding sources to help offset those losses, such as the state’s Enhanced Teacher Incentive Allotment under new state law; certain state funding for at-risk schools and innovative campuses; and an extra $1,000 per high school student through SB 1882 partnerships.

At least four high schools — Kinder HSPVA, Challenge Early College High School, Energy Institute High School and Houston Academy for International Studies — will participate and partner with an outside group to manage the campus.

Miles said that each school consolidation could save $1 million to $1.5 million.

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