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Texas School Performance Review
Houston Independent School District

Chapter 9:
Information Services

This section of the report reviews the information technology and computer systems in the Houston Independent School District (HISD) and contains five major subsections:

Chapter Contents:
Introduction
A. Organization
B. Technology Infrastructure
C. Instructional Technology
D. Educational Administration Technology
E. Operations Technology

INTRODUCTION

HISD is implementing an aggressive technology infrastructure plan. Several top-level people have been brought in to support the implementation process. This plan includes installing a Wide-Area Network (WAN), implementing a districtwide student information system, installing networks at all campuses, upgrading technical assistance services, and increasing operational, administrative, and educational technology. The plan is still in its early stages, but significant progress has been made. The WAN is in place and SASI has been in place for one year. More users are accessing the network and using the available tools such as E-mail. Significant automation has been added to the help desk, and the district continues to offer a wide variety of computer classes for district personnel.

Management Information Systems & Information Technology Overview

HISD is undergoing a major transformation in the use of technology and information systems. In 1993, the board adopted "A Declaration of Beliefs and Visions for the Use of Technology," with the following goals:

  • Enhance student performance;
  • Ensure effective use of HISD resources;
  • Ensure availability of information;
  • Provide direction and focus for technology;
  • Provide timely and accurate information about students; and
  • Provide quality support services and meet state mandates.
In May of 1994, the board contracted with MACRO Educational Systems to prepare a strategic plan for the design of the district's technology infrastructure. The contract's primary objectives were to:

  • Review current administrative and instructional technology directions;
  • Provide recommendations for a long-term technology infrastructure;
  • Develop a strategic plan for technology infrastructure improvement;
  • Review technology organization and support services and recommend changes in the management of these services; and
  • Develop recommendations to implement a comprehensive, strategic technology infrastructure.
As a result of the study, MACRO developed a Three Year Technology Infrastructure plan. The primary project in the first year of the plan was to install a Wide Area Network (WAN) throughout the district. In 1995, IBM was hired as the systems integrator to assist with the installation of the infrastructure and supporting equipment. IBM provided additional detail on the physical design and operation of the WAN. The document produced by IBM with the additional detail is now the guidebook of the technology infrastructure installation plan. As of May 1996, the HISD Networking Department and IBM have installed the WAN. The first major application to be installed on the WAN was the School Administration Student Information (SASI) software package. Many other tools also are available as a result of the WAN implementation, and several other projects are also outlined by the MACRO document on a high level.

To achieve the goals of both the MACRO and IBM documents, key personnel were brought into the district. The new assistant superintendent for Technology and Information Services, hired about two years ago, brings solid experience in building and maintaining large technology infrastructures in an educational environment. Also, several new department leaders were hired to complete the current Technology and Information Systems (IT) organization. Exhibit 9-1 is the high-level organization chart of the IT Department.

Exhibit 9-1
Department of Technology and Information Services Organization Chart

Source: Technology Department

In addition to the Department of Technology and Information Services, there are other information technology departments in the district. The Facilities Maintenance Organization (FMO) has its own Data Services Department. The Research Department has several programmers. The Food Service Department also has implemented its own system in each of the district's schools. Student data management is performed by the Data Management Department. In addition, several departments have their own small local area networks.

This diversity has lead to a wide variety of computer platforms, languages, and vendors in HISD. As shown in Exhibit 9-2, COBOL and AccessPlus are the predominant programming languages.

Exhibit 9-2
HISD System Application Statistics

Area Type Number of
Applications 		Percent
of Total
Languages

(Some applications use
more than one language)

 COBOL
AccessPlus
Basic
C++
C
I.E.
Assembler
MS Access
Paradox		 43
18
2
1
1
2
1
1
2		 61%
25%
3%
1%
1%
3%
1%
1%
3%
Platforms IBM 4381
IBM PC
AS400		 42
7
2		 69%
11%
20%
Vendors In-house developed
TSW
MACRO/Region IV
Snap
Dun & Bradstreet
Other		 39
1
5
1
5
4		 71%
2%
9%
2%
9%
7%

Source: IT Department - HISD System Applications Document

Of the 55 applications analyzed in Exhibit 9-2, 33 were developed in the mid-80s or earlier. The earliest listed application is the Grocery Orders System developed in 1978. There has been a strong emphasis on in-house development of applications with 71 percent of all applications developed in-house.

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