Clearly, our nation needs many more students to attend college and graduate, but several things are getting in the way, particularly students who are minority or economically disadvantaged. Among those who do get in, many are unable to finish. We need our children to be successful in school. We need them to graduate and have options to either attend college or join the workforce.

Get information about education policy related to access to college.

IDRA President Salutes Move Toward College-Going Culture in San Antonio
IDRA President Dr. María "Cuca" Robledo Montecel salutes San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro, for his "smart city" initiatives and investments in creating a college-going culture, citywide. IDRA is working to expand higher education access and completion through multiple strategies: strengthening preK-12 education; fostering partnerships among school, family, business, youth and community leaders to expand equity, college access and success; and providing key materials and data to support this work

IDRA publications on college preparation for all students

Achieve College ~ ¡Hacia Adelante! ~ A Guide for College Access / Achieve College ~ ¡Hacia Adelante! ~ Una Guía para Estudiantes, Familias y Educadores 

InterAction – The Initiative: A Call to Action 

In Our Voices (video and discussion guide) 

I'm Going to College / Voy al Colegio – Fun Activities and Pictures to Color for Children in Elementary Grades 

Promoting Student Leadership on Campus: A Guide for Creating a Culture of Engagement

IDRA Classnotes podcasts on college preparation for all students

Creating a STEM Focused School Part 3 – June 15, 2012
Creating a STEM Focused School Part 2 – May 14, 2012
Creating a STEM Focused School Part 1 – April 13, 2012
Principal on Creating a College Going Culture – March 29, 2011
Connecting Every Student to a Meaningful Future – March 10, 2011
Pitfalls and Promises of Interactive Science Notebooks – October 15, 2010
College for All – August 3, 2010
High School Youth Tekies on College Access – June 16, 2010
Youth, Technology and College Access – April 12, 2010
What Students Need their School Counselors to Hear – December 18, 2008
College Access for Low-Income and Minority Students – October 14, 2008

IDRA newsletter articles on college preparation for all students

“What Parents Want to Know about the New Texas Graduation Guidelines” by  Rogelio López del Bosque, Ed.D.
IDRA Newsletter ( San Antonio, Texas: Intercultural Development Research Association, November-December 2012)

"Higher Education Success – Key System Strategies"
By María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel, Ph.D.
IDRA Newsletter (San Antonio, Texas: Intercultural Development Research Association, May 2012)

"College Access and Graduation"
By Albert Cortez, Ph.D.
IDRA Newsletter (San Antonio, Texas: Intercultural Development Research Association, May 2012)

"Describing the First-Year Experience for First-Time-in-College Students at a Major Community College"
By Josie Danini Cortez, M.A., and Albert Cortez , Ph.D.
IDRA Newsletter (San Antonio, Texas: Intercultural Development Research Association, May 2012)

“Ready or Not, Here They Come – Preparing for the Class of 2018”
by Laurie Posner, M.P.A.
IDRA Newsletter (San Antonio, Texas: Intercultural Development Research Association, May 2011)

“Defining a Schoolwide College-Readiness Culture for All Students”
Interview with Roland Toscano, M.S.
IDRA Newsletter (San Antonio, Texas: Intercultural Development Research Association, May 2011)

“Connecting Every Student to a Meaningful Future – An interview Dr. Daniel P. King, Superintendent of the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo School District”
By Aurelio M. Montemayor, M.Ed.
IDRA Newsletter (San Antonio, Texas: Intercultural Development Research Association, March 2011)

“What a Principal Can Do to Create a College-Going Culture”
By Nilka Avilés, Ed.D.
IDRA Newsletter (San Antonio, Texas: Intercultural Development Research Association, March 2011)

“All Students Deserve a Chance – Don’t Be a Gate Keeper!”
Rogelio López del Bosque, Ed.D.
IDRA Newsletter (San Antonio, Texas: Intercultural Development Research Association, June-July 2010)

“Supporting the Dream of Going to College Through Powerful Student Engagement”
By Héctor Bojorquez 
IDRA Newsletter (San Antonio, Texas: Intercultural Development Research Association, March 2010)

“From the Cradle to College”
By Leticia Rodríguez, Ed.M.
IDRA Newsletter (San Antonio, Texas: Intercultural Development Research Association, September 2008)

“Ten Percent Plan in Texas – IDRA Releases Policy Brief”
By María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel, Ph.D., Albert Cortez, Ph.D., and Josie D. Cortez, M.A.
IDRA Newsletter (San Antonio, Texas: Intercultural Development Research Association, June-July 2007)

“Coca-Cola Valued Youth College Tours – On the Road to College Success”
By Laurie Posner, MPA
IDRA Newsletter (San Antonio, Texas: Intercultural Development Research Association, September 2006)

“‘InterAction’ Needed from All Sectors to Support College Access and Success”
By María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel, Ph.D.
IDRA Newsletter (San Antonio, Texas: Intercultural Development Research Association, November-December 2005)

“For Things to Change, We Must ‘Interact’ – Improving Access and Success of Latinos in Higher Education” 
By María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel, Ph.D.
IDRA Newsletter (San Antonio, Texas: Intercultural Development Research Association, March 2005)

“Policy Solutions for Better Latino Access and Success in Higher Education” (pdf)
IDRA Newsletter (San Antonio, Texas: Intercultural Development Research Association, March 2005)

“Research Findings – Part III: Expectations Drive Effective College Recruitment Strategies”
By Albert Cortez, Ph.D., and Josie Danini Cortez, M.A. 
IDRA Newsletter (San Antonio, Texas: Intercultural Development Research Association, November-December 2004)

“Research Findings – Part II: Part II Effective College Recruitment Strategies”
By Albert Cortez, Ph.D., and Josie Danini Cortez, M.A. 
IDRA Newsletter (San Antonio, Texas: Intercultural Development Research Association, October 2004)

“Effective Higher Education Recruitment Strategies – Findings from a Research Study of San Antonio College” (Part I)
By Josie Danini Cortez, M.A., and Albert Cortez, Ph.D.
IDRA Newsletter (San Antonio, Texas: Intercultural Development Research Association, August 2004)

“A Call for Equity: Kicking the Computer Science Door Open for Girls”
by Kathryn Brown
IDRA Newsletter (San Antonio, Texas: Intercultural Development Research Association, August 2004)

“Access At Risk – The Michigan Case”
By Rosana G. Rodríguez, Ph.D., and Albert Cortez, Ph.D.
IDRA Newsletter (San Antonio, Texas: Intercultural Development Research Association, August 2003)

“IDRA Statement – Affirmative Action: A Vision of Inclusion”
IDRA Newsletter (San Antonio, Texas: Intercultural Development Research Association, March 2003)