Harris County Department of Education

Last updated
Harris County Department of Education
HarrisCoEducationDept.JPG
Ronald W. Reagan Building, the HCDE headquarters in Northside, Houston.
Address
6300 Irvington Blvd, Houston, TX 77022
Houston, Texas
, 77022
United States
Coordinates29.8159° N, 95.3607° W
District information
TypeCommon School District
MottoEnhancing Educational Opportunities and Delivering Value-Added Services
GradesServices for Pre-K to Adult Education
Established1889;135 years ago (1889)
SuperintendentJames Colbert Jr.
Budget$165,420,916
Students and staff
Students121,374 (2021-2022) [1]
Teachers65,000 [2]
Staff1,038 [3]
Other information
Website www.hcde-texas.org

Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) is located in Northside, Houston and stands as Texas' last Common School District, distinct from an independent school district. HCDE offers a range of educational services to Harris County. [4]

Contents

For the 2021-2022 academic year, HCDE's services encompassed:

HCDE operates under Texas law and, as previously stated, is the state's final Common School District. [6] Governance of HCDE is entrusted to seven elected Harris County school trustees. These trustees serve on staggered terms, each lasting six years.

History of Common School Districts

Historically, common school districts in Texas formed the cornerstone of public education. They primarily catered to the educational needs of rural communities. [7] Over time, influenced by legislative modifications, these common school districts evolved into today's independent school districts. This transformation was propelled by desires to decentralize school governance, amplify local control (notably in urban locales), and balance educational opportunities across both rural and urban regions. [7]

Elected Trustees

Guiding HCDE in its educational pursuits is the Board of Trustees. This body is responsible for policy formulation and promotes transparency by conducting open public meetings. [8]

PositionNameFirst ServingParty
Position 1, Precinct 2 Amy Flores Hinojosa 2019Democrat
Position 2, Precinct 4 Andrea Duhon 2019Democrat
Position 3, At-Large Richard Cantu 2019Democrat
Position 4, Precinct 3 Eric Dick (lawyer) 2017Republican
Position 5, At-Large Erica Davis 2021Democrat
Position 6, Precinct 1 Danyahel (Danny) Norris 2019Democrat
Position 7, At-Large David W. Brown (Houston) 2021Democrat

The Board elects the County Superintendent to oversee the department's operations. They meet regularly on the third Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m. at 6300 Irvington Boulevard, Houston, Texas. Special meetings can be convened as needed. Those wishing to speak during a meeting must register at the board room entrance, closing 10 minutes before the meeting's start. [8]

HCDE offers various educational services, with division presentations available online. [9]

The "Team of 8," consisting of Richard Cantu, Erica Davis, Board President Eric Dick, Andrea Duhon, Amy Flores Hinojosa, Danyahel (Danny) Norris, David W. Brown, and Superintendent James Colbert Jr, embodies a harmonious blend of both Democrat and Republican perspectives. Team of Eight.jpg
The "Team of 8," consisting of Richard Cantu, Erica Davis, Board President Eric Dick, Andrea Duhon, Amy Flores Hinojosa, Danyahel (Danny) Norris, David W. Brown, and Superintendent James Colbert Jr, embodies a harmonious blend of both Democrat and Republican perspectives.

Facilities

The Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) oversees several facilities across Harris County, facilitating its wide-ranging educational services.

Headquarters

The principal office for HCDE is housed in the Ronald W. Reagan Administration Building, located in the Northside district of Houston. [10] [11]

  • Address: Ronald W. Reagan Building, 6300 Irvington Blvd., Houston, TX 77022
  • Phone: 713-694-6300

Adult Education Center

Opened in July 2023, the Harris County Department of Education's (HCDE) Adult Education Center is located at 6515 Irvington Blvd, North Houston. [12] Constructed with a budget of $19 million, the center provides an array of educational services, including High School Equivalency certificates, U.S. citizenship preparation courses, English language classes, and vocational certifications in fields such as phlebotomy and nursing assistant training. The expansive facility, which spans 51,000 square feet across four floors, houses more than 20 purpose-built classrooms and labs, a versatile event space, and a dedicated community outreach area. Designed to foster learning and personal development, the center serves over 6,000 students yearly, pivotal in HCDE's commitment to adult education. [13]

Maintenance & Operations

HCDE's Maintenance & Operations division's responsibilities span cleaning, landscaping, repair works (including vehicles), energy conservation, security, custodial and room services, mail processing, and warehousing of supplies. [14]

HCDE Facilities Locations

Schools

HCDE operates four special schools—Academic and Behavior Schools East and West, Highpoint School East, and Fortis Academy. These schools serve students with severe emotional or physical disabilities, troubled or adjudicated youth, and those recovering from addiction. [15]

Academic and Behavior Schools East: Established in 1982, ABS East serves students aged 5–22 with intellectual, developmental, and behavioral disorders, autism spectrum disorder, and other significant health impairments. The school uses data-driven behavior management strategies that include Boys Town Behavior Management and various specialized programs to teach replacement behaviors. With low student-to-teacher ratios, ABS East focuses on academics, life skills, and behavior management to equip students for independent living. [16]

Academic and Behavior Schools West: Founded in 1998, ABS West offers a similar curriculum to ABS East and serves students with a range of intellectual, developmental, and behavioral disorders. The school emphasizes appropriate educational tasks, meaningful support, and knowledge of socially acceptable behaviors. [17]

Highpoint School East: Opened in 1995, Highpoint East provides a second chance to adjudicated or expelled youth. The program focuses on teaching self-discipline and better decision-making through individualized or small-group instruction in a highly structured environment. [18]

Fortis Academy: Established in 2018, Fortis is Harris County's first public recovery high school. The school features a unique culinary arts program and blends coaching, counseling, and academics into a supportive learning environment. Students admitted to Fortis have completed a substance abuse or dependency rehab program and continue their education in a sober setting. The academy aims to reduce the risk of relapse and focuses on post-treatment care. [15] [17]

Enrollment in HCDE Schools: Students attending any of the HCDE special schools are referred by their home districts. Parents interested in enrolling their child should contact their respective home school district for more information. [15] [16]

Support Services

The Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) offers a plethora of support services aimed at enhancing the educational experience for both educators and students. These services range from professional development for school staff to providing resources for school safety, records management, and more. Their key objective is to foster positive impacts on students, staff, and entire districts. [19]

HCDE Service Divisions

Records Management

This division offers both digital and physical records management services to numerous entities. Notable clients include the City of Houston and Harris County. [20]

Choice Partners Cooperative

Choice Partners Cooperative grants government entities, school districts, and non-profit organizations instant access to high-quality, legal procurement and contracts. These contracts are fully compliant with governmental procurement prerequisites, ensuring these entities save both time and money. [21]

Center for Safe and Secure Schools

Focusing on school safety, this division steers conversations and training sessions concerning safety, security, school environment, and threat evaluation. [19]

Instructional Programs

The Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) is dedicated to offering a diverse range of instructional programs to cater to individuals of all ages. Approximately 30,000 students benefit from these offerings, which range from early childhood education to adult learning programs. [22]

HCDE’s Five Pillars

Adult Education

HCDE's Adult Education division is prominent in Texas, providing courses for students in areas like English as a Second Language (ESL), GED preparation, and workforce development programs. [23]

CASE for Kids

CASE for Kids provides a variety of after-school programs through educational institutions and private providers. [24]

CASE Debates is a distinct initiative within CASE for Kids, focusing on equipping high school students in Harris County with advanced debate training and access to elite speech and debate tournaments. [25] The program collaborates with local debate leagues to offer students free coaching and support. It uniquely offers both the World Schools Debate format and the more traditional Policy format.

Head Start

This program is geared towards low-income students ranging from birth to 4 years of age, ensuring they receive foundational educational support and preschool education. [26]

School-Based Therapy Services

Directly assisting students in the classroom setting, HCDE offers physical, occupational, and music therapy services within Harris County. [27]

Special Schools

Tailored to serve students with significant physical, emotional, and cognitive disabilities. [28]

Financial Overview

Awards and Transparency Recognition

 * Share extensive financial data including finances, contracts, economic development, pensions, and debts.  * Make available comprehensive financial data through varied means like documents, visual representations, and downloads. [29]

Financial Reporting

Financial Summary

Debt Obligations and Commitments

Controversy

In 2019, an investigation alleged that a Trustee sexually harassed a female job applicant and spread unfounded rumors about her personal life, with the board subsequently censuring him. [33]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "Facts and Figures 2021-2022". Harris County Department of Education. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  2. ↑ "Top Work Places 2021-2022". Harris County Department of Education. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  3. ↑ "Top Work Places 2021-2022". Harris County Department of Education. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  4. ↑ "About Harris County Department of Education". Harris County Department of Education. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  5. ↑ "Facts and Figures 2021-2022". Harris County Department of Education. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  6. ↑ Isensee, Laura (2018-08-18). "Texas Education Agency Refuses to Monitor County's Alternative Special Ed Schools Directly". Houston Public Media . Retrieved 2018-08-22.
  7. 1 2 An Overview of the History of Public Education in Texas. Texas Education Agency.
  8. 1 2 "Board of Trustees". Harris County Department of Education. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  9. ↑ "HCDE Division Presentations". Harris County Department of Education. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  10. ↑ "HCDE Facilities." Harris County Department of Education. Retrieved on August 22, 2018.
  11. ↑ "Our Boundaries." Northside Management District. Retrieved on August 22, 2018.
  12. ↑ Patricia Ortiz (July 19, 2023). "New facility for Harris County's Department of Education". Houston Public Media.
  13. ↑ Shawn Arrajj (Jul 21, 2023). "Harris County inaugurates new $19M Adult Education Center in North Houston". Community Impact Newspaper. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  14. ↑ HCDE Maintenance & Operations. Harris County Department of Education.
  15. 1 2 3 "Special Schools / About HCDE Special Schools".
  16. 1 2 "Special Schools / Academic and Behavior Schools East".
  17. 1 2 "Special Schools / Academic and Behavior Schools West".
  18. ↑ "Special Schools / Highpoint School East".
  19. 1 2 "Support Services". Harris County Department of Education. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Records Management". Harris County Department of Education. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Choice Partners Cooperative". Choice Partners. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Instructional Programs". Harris County Department of Education. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  23. ↑ "Adult Education". Harris County Department of Education. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  24. ↑ "CASE for Kids". Harris County Department of Education. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Worlds Debate - CASE Debate". HCDE Staff. November 14, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Head Start". Harris County Department of Education. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  27. ↑ "School-Based Therapy Services". Harris County Department of Education. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  28. ↑ "Special Schools". Harris County Department of Education. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  29. ↑ "Financial Transparency". Harris County Department of Education.
  30. ↑ "Financial Transparency". Harris County Department of Education. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  31. ↑ "Financial Summary". Harris County Department of Education. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  32. 1 2 "Debt Obligations". Harris County Department of Education. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  33. ↑ https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Report-HCDE-Trustee-Wolfe-harassed-retaliated-13653520.php
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