HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM AND HIS NAME IS MEATAXE MIKE MILES
The Houston Independent School District (HISD) is facing a crisis of epic proportions. Superintendent Mike Miles has decided to repurpose libraries at 28 New Education System (NES) schools into "team centers" or "discipline centers." Yes, you read that right. The man in charge of education has decided that books are out and detention is in.
Now, I don't know about you, but when I was in school, the library was my sanctuary. It was the one place where I could escape the drudgery of math and science and lose myself in the magical world of books. But apparently, Superintendent Miles thinks that books are overrated. Who needs books when you can have a "team center" where students who misbehave can watch their class on Zoom? Because that's exactly what we need in our schools – more screen time.
But wait, it gets better. According to Miles, the team centers will be used for "differentiated instruction." Now, I don't know about you, but that sounds like a fancy way of saying "we have no idea what we're doing." Tailoring instruction to the individual needs of students is great in theory, but in practice, it often results in chaos. And let's be real, if you're sending a student to a team center because they misbehaved, chances are they're not going to be in the mood for a tailored lesson plan.
And let's not forget about the cost. The district estimates that it will cost $1.5 million to renovate the libraries into team centers. That's $1.5 million that could be spent on actual education, like hiring more teachers or buying new textbooks. But no, let's spend it on tearing apart libraries and turning them into glorified detention centers.
But don't worry, Superintendent Miles has assured us that the libraries will still have books. Because who needs shelves when you can have a bunch of unruly students crammed into a room with a computer screen? And let's not forget about the impact this will have on students of color. Studies have shown that students of color are more likely to be disciplined in school than white students. Repurposing libraries into discipline centers will only exacerbate this problem.
The community has already responded with protests and petitions, and even Mayor Sylvester Turner and state Rep. Christina Morales have spoken out against the plan. But Superintendent Miles seems determined to push forward with his misguided vision for education. It's like he's trying to turn our schools into mini-Gitmos.
So what can we do? Well, for starters, we can say no to MeatAxe Mike and the MAGA privatizers. We can demand that our schools prioritize education over punishment. We can stand up for our students and their right to access information and learning resources. And we can do it all with a sense of humor, because let's face it, sometimes laughter is the best medicine – even in the face of educational crises.
In conclusion, let's all take a moment to appreciate the humble library. It may not be as flashy as a team center, but it's a vital source of knowledge and inspiration for generations of students. Let's not let MeatAxe Mike destroy that legacy. Let's stand up for our schools and demand better. And let's do it all with a smile on our faces – because if there's one thing that's worth fighting for, it's the future of our children.
HISD: Protests held on Saturday in response to Superintendent Mike Miles' decision to turn libraries to discipline centers - ABC13 Houston https://abc13.com/hisd-libraries-disciplinary-centers-superintendent-mike-miles/13604964/
Protest against library cuts in Houston ISD: Community push-back and concerns - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hblv0UvMuc
THE DEFT DIVE
FROM BARD AI
The Houston Independent School District (HISD) is facing backlash from the community after Superintendent Mike Miles announced plans to repurpose libraries at 28 New Education System (NES) schools into "team centers" or "discipline centers."
Miles says the team centers will be used for "differentiated instruction," which is a method of teaching that tailors instruction to the individual needs of students. He also says the centers will be used for discipline, as a place for students who misbehave to go to cool off and receive help from learning coaches.
However, critics of the plan say it will deprive students of access to books and other resources, and that it will disproportionately affect students of color. They also say the plan is a waste of money, as it will cost more to renovate the libraries than to simply keep them open.
The community has responded to the plan with protests and petitions. On Saturday, August 5, hundreds of people gathered outside HISD headquarters to voice their opposition. Mayor Sylvester Turner, state Rep. Christina Morales, and other elected officials also spoke out against the plan.
In response to the criticism, Miles has defended his plan, saying that it is necessary to improve student achievement. He has also said that the libraries will still have books, and that students will still have access to them.
However, the community is not convinced. They are demanding that Miles reverse his decision and keep the libraries open. It remains to be seen whether he will do so.
Here are some of the specific concerns that have been raised about the plan to remove libraries from HISD schools:
- * It will deprive students of access to books and other resources. Libraries are a vital source of information and learning for students, and removing them from schools will make it harder for students to succeed.
- * It will disproportionately affect students of color. Studies have shown that students of color are more likely to be disciplined in school than white students. Repurposing libraries into discipline centers will only make this problem worse.
- * It is a waste of money. The district estimates that it will cost $1.5 million to renovate the libraries, which is more than it would cost to simply keep them open.
- * It is not supported by research. There is no evidence that repurposing libraries into discipline centers improves student achievement. In fact, some studies have shown that it can actually have a negative impact on student learning.
The community is right to be concerned about this plan. It is a bad idea that will hurt students, especially students of color. I urge Superintendent Miles to reverse his decision and keep the libraries open.
FROM BING AI
Community pushback on Houston ISD decision to remove libraries at some schools.
- - The decision was made by Superintendent Mike Miles, who was appointed by the Texas Education Agency after it took over the district in June 2023¹.
- - The decision affects 28 schools that are part of the New Education System (NES), a reform program that Miles introduced to improve student outcomes².
- - The decision involves eliminating librarian positions and repurposing some of the libraries as "Team Centers", where students who misbehave in class will be isolated and watch their class on Zoom³.
- - The decision has sparked outrage and criticism from community members, elected officials, local leaders, teachers, and librarians, who argue that libraries are essential for student learning and access to information⁴⁵⁶.
- - The decision has also raised questions about the relevance and value of school libraries in the digital age, as well as the impact of discipline policies on student behavior and achievement⁷⁸.
- - The decision has prompted protests and rallies outside the Houston ISD headquarters, where demonstrators demanded that Miles reverse his decision and restore the libraries⁹ .
- - The decision has not been reversed as of August 6, 2023, but Miles has said he is open to feedback and willing to make adjustments if needed.
Bing, 8/6/2023
(1) Community pushes back on Houston ISD decision to remove libraries at some schools on Saturday. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/community-pushes-back-on-houston-isd-decision-to-remove-libraries-at-some-schools-on-saturday/ar-AA1eQvjG.
(2) HISD superintendent faces criticism over decision to repurpose libraries, remove librarians at some schools. https://www.khou.com/article/news/education/houston-isd-libraries-nes-criticism/285-d6113aad-5369-4468-a859-7b69b11e90e3.
(3) School plan in Houston to repurpose libraries into discipline centers draws fire. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/school-plan-in-houston-to-repurpose-libraries-into-discipline-centers-draws-fire/ar-AA1evtCO.
(4) Community pushes back on Houston ISD decision to remove libraries at .... https://abc13.com/hisd-libraries-disciplinary-centers-superintendent-mike-miles/13604964/.
(5) Houstin ISD turns libraries in part into student discipline centers. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/07/28/houstin-isd-turns-libraries-in-part-into-student-discipline-centers/70487604007/.
(6) HISD to eliminate librarians, turn some libraries into discipline .... https://bing.com/search?q=Houston+ISD+decision+to+remove+libraries.
(7) undefined. https://abc13.com/video/embed/?pid=13605128.
(8) HISD library closures prompt Saturday community rally - Houston Chronicle. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/hisd-library-closures-prompt-saturday-community-18272121.php.
(9) Community leaders criticize HISD turning some libraries into .... https://www.khou.com/article/news/education/houston-isd-libraries-repurposed/285-0d61435c-6fa3-4b77-b682-fa2fe52e8036.
