Education

Education leader Ruth Simmons ponders what's next for diversity, equity and inclusion

With publicly-funded state universities eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion as part of the hiring process, and proposed legislation targeted at other DEI policies in higher education, private institutions have an opportunity—and an obligation—to respond, Ruth J. Simmons said at the Kinder Institute Forum on Wednesday at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

Kinder Institute Forum: Ruth J. Simmons

Ruth J. Simmons, a leading voice in higher education, will be in conversation with Ruth N. López Turley, director of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research.

Researchers make the case for broader investments in high-quality pre-K in Texas

A high-quality prekindergarten education can significantly alter the trajectory of a child’s life, leaders from the Kinder Institute’s Houston Education Research Consortium told community members last week at a special presentation at the United Way of Greater Houston campus. 

Setting Kids up for Success: Supporting Early Education in the Houston Region

Join the Kinder Institute's Houston Education Research Consortium for a conversation highlighting recent pre-K research.

As evictions reach historic levels in Harris County, families in Houston ISD are bearing the brunt

On March 6, nine days before the Texas Education Agency confirmed its plans to take over the Houston Independent School District, officials received a presentation from researchers at Princeton University about a dilemma confronting families and students in the district: evictions.

State takeovers of school districts do not work. But there is something else that might

This week, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner warned that the state of Texas intends to take over Houston Independent School District as early as next week. As researchers who study education — and particularly education in Houston — we were asked: What would that mean for students?

When it comes to education outcomes, we get what we pay for

A lack of investment in education is holding back students in Houston and Texas, particularly those experiencing socioeconomic challenges, Kinder Institute Director Ruth N. López Turley said on Tuesday.

Public school enrollment is facing a 'demographic bubble.' Urban districts are already seeing its effects

As part of a wide range of testimony before the state Senate finance committee, education commissioner Mike Morath told lawmakers that Texas is entering a new demographic era for public school enrollment.

Social and Emotional Skills of Students in the Houston Independent School District (Briefs 2-5)

This series of briefs looks at how social and emotional skills are related to academic outcomes, absenteeism, and exclusionary discipline; the context of SSES skills; and the commonalities and differences between students’ self-ratings and teachers’ ratings of students’ SE skills.

New research is helping Houston get its arms around the needs of students and families

Recent findings by the Kinder Institute’s Houston Education Research Consortium indicate that mental health services, food and housing are among the greatest non-instructional needs for students in the Houston Independent School District. HERC, HISD and local partners are looking to find more ways to bridge resources within the community to meet these needs.

Understanding and Addressing Student and Family Need in HISD

During this event, findings from a recent survey of HISD student and family needs will be shared. Breakout sessions will be organized around a series of key areas of need in the district, such as health, housing, basic needs, and extracurricular supports.

Wraparound Needs

The student needs survey identifies key nonacademic challenges students face across five domains: health, mental health, basic needs, home learning environment and enrichment activities.

The research is clear: We must do more to help bilingual students thrive

When English language proficiency is delayed among Houston-area students, a stark divide occurs. Today, the majority of English learners in Houston and across the state become “long-term English learners.” We now have an even clearer picture of what’s at stake and the need for early intervention. To borrow from the adage about the best time for planting trees: The best time to address the needs of English learners was years ago. The next best time is now.

Long-term English learners: How is timing of reclassification associated with middle and high school outcomes? (Part 4)

This brief examines the middle and high school outcomes of long-term English speakers in the Houston region, with a specific focus on how the timing of reclassification was associated with academic achievement and school engagement.

Equity in CTE Program Availability and Access

This study examined the availability and access to Career and Technical Education programs in HISD.