Houston Supt. Mike Miles on Urban School District Reform

In this week’s episode of The Learning Curve, co-hosts Great Heart Academies’ Dr. Helen Baxendale and American Federation for Children’s Shaka Mitchell speak with Mike Miles, superintendent of the Houston Independent School District. Miles has devoted his life to public service, starting as a soldier, then as a diplomat in Poland and Russia during the Cold War before moving into K-12 education reform. He discussed how his family background and early educational experiences shaped his commitment to service. Reflecting on his years as an officer in the Army Ranger Battalion and a Company Commander, Miles described how military service influenced his leadership philosophy and approach to school reform. Since 2023, he has led the Houston Independent School District, the eighth largest in the country. He spoke candidly about the challenges of transitioning from military and diplomatic roles to driving educational reform in large urban districts, emphasizing the political and bureaucratic barriers that often slow progress. He also highlighted the many improvements that have already been accomplished during his brief tenure in Houston. Finally, Supt. Miles shared what he hopes to see governors, state legislatures, and parents do to dramatically improve academic outcomes for students in urban communities.