Miles, a former Army Ranger and diplomat whose mixed record as superintendent of the Dallas school district was marked by upheaval, said recent disappointing standardized test scores only confirmed the need for reform in Houston.

His most criticized change is transforming libraries at dozens of underperforming schools into “team centers” where students will get extra help and where those who misbehave will be disciplined, watching lessons on Zoom rather than disrupting their classrooms.

The Texas Education Agency cited chronically low academic scores at one high school and allegations of misconduct by the district’s elected trustees when it announced the takeover.

One veteran secondary teacher who asked that her name not be used for fear of losing their job, told The Associated Press that many of her colleagues are concerned Miles’ system of tightly timed and controlled class instruction will turn teaching into assembly-line work.

Bob Harvey, CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership, a leading Houston-area business group that supports the takeover, said residents “should recall what brought us to this point: the failure of previous HISD administrations and elected board members to afford the opportunity for a quality education to each and every student.”

David DeMatthews, associate professor at the University of Texas’ College of Education, said Houstonians should be upset the district previously has fallen short, but Miles’ record doesn’t inspire confidence.

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