Education Policy

Using inclusive, cutting edge and broad based strategies, IDRA develops leadership within communities, schools, and policymaking bodies to create collaborative and enlightened educational policies that work for all children.

Learn more about significant education policy issues at state and national levels by selecting a box below.

IDRA Calls for Greater Federal Role in Education
In testimony presented before the U.S. Department of Education’s Equity and Excellence Commission, IDRA stated that it is imperative that new federal policies be adopted to protect the right to equal educational opportunities for all of our students in every state. “When families can’t count on their neighborhood public school to be funded equitably, something has gone deeply wrong in America .” See IDRA’s three recommendations.

Education Funding in Texas
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Fair Funding Now! for Texas Education
In 2011, the Texas legislature cut education funding for the first time in four decades. Instead of ending funding disparities, they walked away – pushing millions of Texas children aside. But communities across the state are taking action to make sure that schools are equipped to guarantee that all children graduate ready for college and career. Get tools, handouts, news and more resources at IDRA’s Courageous Connections – Fair Funding Now! website.

Fair Funding is Essential to Having Excellent Schools for All Texas Students
In a statement released today, Dr. Robledo Montecel, IDRA President, applauds MALDEF for filing its lawsuit against Texas on behalf of four poor school districts. “It is unfortunate – scandalous in fact – that it takes litigation to convince our state leaders to invest in education, to invest in children – all children, to invest in the future of Texas.” IDRA has focused on this issue since its founding almost four decades ago. We will not stop until Texas truly has a strong public school system that provides an excellent education for all children.

Visit IDRA’s Fair Funding for the Common Good website for news and resources

Infographic: Texas School Funding Equity Gap
See IDRA’s new graphic showing how some children are considered more valuable than others in Texas . It doesn’t have to be this way.

Infographic: State Ranking in Education Funding
See IDRA’s graphic showing Texas ’ rank of 43 in education funding per student. It doesn’t have to be this way.

Infographic: High School Attrition in Texas
See IDRA’s graphic showing how Texas public schools are losing one out of four students. It doesn’t have to be this way.

Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs in Texas
Almost 10 years ago, IDRA gave voice to the thousands of Texas public school students who were being criminalized, ostracized and stigmatized for “offenses” that were formerly managed by a simple timeout or even a visit to the principal’s office with its seminal assessment of Texas DAEPs. IDRA’s latest policy update released March 2009, shows that in the last decade, more than three quarters of a million students have been sent to DAEPs. Four out of five students of them are not there because of serious offenses. Put simply, DAEPs are a mess. They don’t work for kids, they don’t work for schools, and they don’t work for Texas.

Read Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs in Texas – A 2009 Update (pdf)

Access to Quality Curriculum Weakened in Texas
At a time when we most need strength, Texas education is at-risk of being weakened
IDRA President and CEO, María "Cuca" Robledo Montecel, Ph.D., outlines how Texas’ new tracking graduation plans are likely to have a devastating effect on the state.

IDRA publications related to education policy