Texas Must Provide Equitable and Excellent Education for Children of All Backgrounds and Every Zip Code
Paula Johnson, M.A., Austin Chamber of Commerce News Conference, January 27, 2014

IDRA applauds Austin for choosing the distinguished diploma as the default graduation plan for all of its students. As outlined in the attached statement, we urge the State of Texas to assure at the structural level that this path is afforded to every student the state.

IDRA believes that Texas must:

  • Make sure the endorsements do not become a dead-end for students.
  • Not water down math and science requirements.
  • Produce transparent information and clear triggers so that the people of Texas can take action if the data show disproportionate routing of poor and minority students into non-rigorous endorsements and courses.

We are joined by our partners with the Equal Voice Network – Rio Grande Valley, a network of nonprofit organizations striving to assure a better future for children in Rio Grande Valley and across Texas.

IDRA looks forward to working with our partners in the business and education communities in communities across Texas and with the Texas Latino Education Coalition to oppose tracking and bring about equity and excellence in public education that prepares children of all backgrounds and every zip code to be competitive in a global economy – and for the opportunities of today and tomorrow.

TLEC includes the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), Texas League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), Mexican American School Board Association (MASBA), Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA), Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC), Texas Hispanics Organized for Political Education (HOPE), Texas Association for Bilingual Education (TABE), Texas Association for Chicanos in Higher Education (TACHE), the Cesar E. Chavez Legacy and Educational Foundation, and the Hector P. Garcia G.I. Forum.

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