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.

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)

Historical Summary
In the area of public education, some reforms implemented in Texas over the past decade, such as equity in school funding, are beginning to have positive outcomes as a growing number of pupils have shown improvement in educational performance and the gap in achievement among different groups of students has decreased. For a quick list of education reforms, see:  A Historical Summary of Major Texas Education Reforms 1975 to 2004.

IDRA publications related to education policy

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.