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Latest News Releases

Why More Charter Schools and School Vouchers Are Not Needed in Texas – May 7,2013 

Tracking, Endorsements and Differentiated Diplomas – When ‘Different’ Really is Less - April 23, 2013

Federal Grant to Help Expand Relationship Between Parent and Community Groups in the Rio Grande Valley – PTA Comunitario Model Shows the Power of Family Leadership in Education ( PHARR , April 10, 2013)

Latest Statements

Court Rules: Texas School Funding Must Serve All Students Equitably

Can’t Wait to Celebrate 100% Graduation in Texas

Fair Funding is Essential to Having Excellent Schools for All Texas Students

Immigrant Students' Rights to Attend Public Schools

Latest Testimony and Speeches 

Opportunity Matters: The Call to Increase Excellence and Equity
Testimony by the Intercultural Development Research Association, June 8, 2011

Equal Access to a Quality Education – The Civil Rights Issue of Our Generation
Keynote Address, by Dr. María Robledo Montecel, President, Intercultural Development Research Association,  March 29, 2011

Testimony of IDRA on Senate SB53 by Senator Zaffirini, presented by Albert Cortez Ph.D., IDRA Policy Director, before the Texas Senate Education Committee, March 31, 2011

Keynote Address – Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education

Popular Topics

• School Dropouts and School Holding Power
• School Funding in Texas
• Education of English Language Learners
• Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs in Texas
• Access to College
• Using Public Funds for Public Education (includes vouchers)
• Accountablity

Bio and Photos

Dr. María "Cuca" Robledo Montecel, IDRA President & CEO

IDRA staff

Media contact
Christie L. Goodman, APR, at christie.goodman@idra.org or 210-444-1710, ext. 1705.

Published Research Studies

• Annual attrition study: Attrition Rate Decline Appears Promising – Though High Schools are Still Losing One in Four Students (October 2012)
• Regional attrition study: High School Attrition Rates Across Texas Education Service Center Regions, 2009-10
• The Status of School Finance Equity in Texas – A 2009 Update (see related news release) (Texas, 2009)
• Post-Legislative Session Summary on Proposed Changes to Texas Bilingual Education Monitoring Procedures, Secondary Level ESL Program Reforms, and Related Litigation (Texas, 2009)
• Education of English Language Learners in U.S. and Texas Schools – Where We Are, What We Have Learned and Where We Need to Go from Here – A 2009 Update (National & Texas, 2009)
• Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs in Texas – A 2009 Update (Texas, 2009)
• Top Ten Percent Plan in Texas, multiple reports (Texas, 2009)
• IDRA Early Childhood Centers of Excellence Model (2005-06)
• The New State of Illiteracy in San Antonio and in the Nation (National & San Antonio, 2005)
• Good School and Classrooms for Children Learning English (National, 2001)
• Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs in Texas - What is Known; What is Needed (Texas, 1999)
• Missing: Texas Youth - Dropout and Attrition in Texas Public High Schools (Texas, 1999)
• Failing Our Children - Finding Alternatives to In-Grade Retention (National, 1999)
• Students for Sale - The Use of Public Money for Private Schooling (National, 1999)

Articles from the IDRA Newsletter are posted online under IDRA Newsletter in html and pdf format.

Who is IDRA?
IDRA is an independent, private non-profit organization, directed by María Robledo Montecel, Ph.D., assuring educational opportunity for every child. We are deeply concerned with the education and well-being of all children and youth – particularly those who are poor, minority or limited-English-proficient.

We work hand-in-hand with schools, families, and communities to ensure that all students succeed in school and graduate. And IDRA conducts ground-breaking research to inform school improvement.