IDRA has gathered and analyzed data that promote a broader understanding of educational and social policy issues among public and professional decision makers.

Using collaborative and innovative methods, we investigate important questions and provide insight into compelling educational issues. As a national resource, we set standards in the design, analysis, and synthesis of timely and useful research involving diverse populations.

Contact IDRA to explore individualized contracted evaluation research in a number of areas. See overview.

IDRA Evaluation Services
IDRA Research Services
See both in PDF format

To find out more about research results that are available online, see the list below.

Ten Percent Plan in Texas
To help inform the debate on the effects of the Texas Ten Percent Plan, IDRA has compiled and analyzed available data on the students entering the University of Texas at Austin and all the Texas high schools that contributed graduating seniors to those incoming freshmen classes between the years of 1995 and 2006.

Attrition and Dropout Rates in Texas – IDRA releases its annual attrition study in the October issue of its newsletter. Attrition rates are an indicator of a school’s holding power, or ability to keep students enrolled in school and learning until they graduate. IDRA has used the same methodology since its inaugural statewide study in 1986.

Bilingual Education – IDRA rigorously and methodically studied exemplary bilingual education programs in schools across the nation as determined by limited English proficient students’ academic achievement. As a result, we identified the 25 common characteristics that contribute to high academic performance of students served by bilingual education programs.

Teacher Preparation – IDRA’s Alianza project helped several universities improve their teacher preparation programs to increase the number of teachers prepared to teach English in bilingual and multicultural environments. The project also conducted research to support universities in their reform efforts.

Education Policy Briefs – IDRA developed a series of four policy briefs in 1999 to inform community and policy decisions during the 1999 Texas legislative session. The information is still relevant today.

Literacy in San Antonio – Each decade, IDRA has studied facts about illiteracy in San Antonio with recommendations for solutions of the problem. The studies have provided illiteracy rates for San Antonio, major Texas cities, and the country. The latest study is available online. The 1994 study can be ordered from IDRA.

IDRA Available Research Publications