Superintendent Mike Miles told the Houston ISD Board of Managers on Oct. 9 that the district reduced the proportion of diplomas awarded through Individual Graduation Committees — a state provision for students who do not pass end-of-course exams — from levels above 10% at many campuses to a district average of 5%.

Miles said the reduction came with an overall increase in the graduation rate. “In 2021, it was 85.7%. In 2023, it was 85.1%. And in 2024, the graduation rate was 86.6%,” he said, arguing that higher standards and remediation, rather than committee-based exceptions, had improved outcomes.

The superintendent acknowledged that some campuses remain above the 10% IGC threshold cited by the Texas Education Agency, naming Austin High School and another campus with work remaining. He said the district expected to be released from TEA corrective action after submitting required documentation.

Miles also presented data on teacher retention, saying the district retained a high share of its most effective teachers. “For exemplary teachers … 89% of them returned to the district,” he said, and described low vacancy levels at the start of the school year.

Miles and staff connected improved retention of high-performing teachers to stronger principal evaluations and targeted coaching. He said effective principals retain more highly rated teachers and that the district’s strategy emphasizes growing talent internally and sustaining principals who support teachers.

Board members asked for clarifications about end-of-course exams and IGCs; the superintendent explained that EOCs are state tests and that the district’s approach prioritized remediation and retesting before use of IGCs.

Ending: The report concluded with board discussion of next steps to continue lowering IGC reliance and to support campuses with higher concentrations of committee-based diplomas. The superintendent said the district would continue interventions where needed and expected to brief the board on continued progress.