Houston Schools to Expand 'Future 2' Model to More Campuses

Houston Independent School District (HISD) plans to expand its 'Future 2' education model to nine campuses next school year, up from an initial pilot of two schools. The program, led by Superintendent Miles, will serve pre-K through eighth-grade students and retain the NES academic curriculum while adding seminars on skills like critical thinking and collaboration to prepare students for an 'AI-enabled world.' By July 2031, HISD aims to convert nearly all 100 NES campuses—or nearly the entire program—to this model, with potential inclusion at non-NES schools requesting participation. The expansion follows HISD’s 2023 launch of the NES program, which now covers 130 schools and emphasizes standardized curricula, extended school days, and higher educator pay. NES schools have shown improved academic growth and state accountability ratings compared to non-NES campuses. However, critics argue the model’s rigidity has contributed to teacher turnover and excessive oversight. Some parents have already withdrawn their children from HISD due to concerns over the program’s tech focus, though HISD insists it is not an 'AI school' but instead aligns education with future employer needs. The 'Future 2' model builds on HISD’s existing AI integration, including partnerships with AI companies to generate reading materials and use tools like ChatGPT for administrative tasks. Daniel Ernst, interim AI strategist at Texas Woman’s University, praised the concept of teaching moral reasoning but warned against rapid scaling, suggesting a slower pilot phase. Kori Stroub, associate director of HISD research at Rice University, acknowledged the value of skills like teamwork but emphasized the need for careful execution and family engagement. HISD first announced the pilot in February, with Clemente Martinez and Gregg elementary schools as test sites. By April, seven additional NES campuses—Bonham, Deady, Forest Brook, Hartman, Shadydale, Southmayd, and Sugar Grove—were added. The district did not respond to requests for further details, including visits to Future 2 campuses or principal interviews. Despite criticism, HISD remains committed to reshaping public education through structured, data-driven reforms.