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Podcast

Challenging Colonialism in the Classroom – Part 2 – Podcast Episode 204

Classnotes Podcast (July 31, 2020). Colonialism influences why our schools teach certain topics and not others, why students of color … read more

News Release

IDRA Analysis Shows Texas Public Schools Could Lose Additional $38.7 Million to Private Schools Under New U.S. Department of Education Rule

New analysis by IDRA shows that 185 Texas public school districts may have to give up a total of over $44.2 million of their federal CARES Act relief funds to private schools within their district boundaries under a new rule from the U.S. Department of Education. The rule increases the funding districts would usually reserve for private schools by more than $38.7 million.

eNews

New Edition of Learning Goes On - IDRA eNews

See the latest edition of IDRA's bilingual Learning Goes On – A COVID-19 Resource for Education, featuring stories on:
IDRA Releases Guide to Ensuring Education Equity During and After COVID-19
Free School Reopening Webinar Series
On-Demand Webinars
Overview of IDRA's Learning Goes On Initiative

eNews

As Schools Plan to Reopen Safely, IDRA Valued Youth Partnership Tutors Will Lead in New Ways

Now more than ever, reconnecting with students is critical. IDRA can help! The IDRA Valued Youth Partnership is a research-based, internationally-recognized dropout prevention program that has kept 98% of its tutors in school. See our new video and news about how we are preparing modifications for the new school year due to COVID-19 precautions. Join the VYP school-family-community partnership. Because when you do, every student can go beyond!

Statement

Supreme Court Ruling Widens the Door to Use Public Funds for Vouchers and Religious Schools

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states must allow religious schools to participate in programs that use state aid to support private school scholarship funds for students. The decision in Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue* allows states to funnel more public monies toward private schools, even as public schools that serve the majority of the nation’s students remain underfunded and face an economic downturn.

Free Webinar Series

Equitable Practices for Online Learning Series and School Reopening Series

Our free webinar series on Equitable Practices for Online Learning is designed to support educators as you continue student learning during this unprecedented coronavirus (COVID-19) event. The webinars will be online at the IDRA EAC-South website for viewing on-demand as well.

eNews

New Partnership Launches the Texas Early Childhood English Learner Initiative

IDRA is excited to announce our partnership in launching the Early Childhood English Learner initiative. IDRA will serve as a steering committee co-leader with Texans Care for Children; Dr. Dina Castro, UNT Denton; and Texas Association for the Education of Young Children.

Statement

IDRA Lauds Supreme Court Decision to Keep DACA Alive, Urges Schools to Affirm Immigrant Rights

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Trump Administration improperly rescinded DACA, keeping the program alive for about 650,000 undocumented U.S. youth seeking employment opportunity and temporary protection from deportation.

"Today's Supreme Court decision is a momentous victory not only for immigrant youth and their families but also for this nation that relies so heavily on their contributions," said IDRA President & CEO Celina Moreno, who previously served as co-counsel at MALDEF for 22 undocumented youth to protect DACA against several states that sued to end it.

"But now is not the time to relent: We must continue to call on Congress to pass the Dream and Promise Act that gives our youth the permanent status they deserve and to urge schools to actively protect the rights of immigrant youth."

Statement

IDRA Praises Supreme Court Ruling Affirming Rights of LGBTQ Employees to be Free From Discrimination

IDRA applauds the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. While today’s ruling applies to the workplace, it is also momentous for LGBTQ students who often face attacks and discrimination daily in our schools. Across the country, 85% of LGBTQ students report facing verbal harassment, more than one in four are physically harassed at school, and half are threatened by their classmates.

eNews

IDRA Statement in Support of Black Lives - Learning Goes On - IDRA eNews

Amidst the collective demonstrations demanding justice all over the country and the world, IDRA stands in solidarity with all who declare that Black Lives Matter. We express our sympathy for the families of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and all others who have lost their lives as a result of racialized violence and systemic oppression in the form of police brutality. As an organization committed to promoting educational equity, IDRA recognizes the experience of young people of color, and especially Black youth.

IDRA Statement

Minneapolis School Board Resolution Would End Contract with Police Department

In response to the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer, the Minneapolis Board of Education will consider a resolution to end the district’s contract with the Minneapolis Police Department for the services of school resource officers. The school district reportedly spends $1 million to hire 11 officers who police students in the district. The effort to end the contract follows protests against police brutality by thousands across the country. IDRA encourages the Minneapolis Board of Education to adopt its resolution. Ending police involvement in schools will protect students and school staff and help create stronger, safer school climates.

Media Release

Chief Science Officer Teens Get Creative to Promote STEM While Navigating School Closures

IDRA’s Texas Chief Science Officer students shifted their work to enrich a STEM culture despite school closures. This year, more than 100 teens in San Antonio and Houston served as their school’s Chief Science Officers, learning leadership skills to carry out their own on-campus projects and advocate for student voice in STEM. But school closures threatened to derail their plans. Innovative by nature, these students took up the challenge.

Survey

Please help by completing our survey about distance learning during school closures!

Family and Community Input is Needed on Education Effects of COVID-19. Please fill out our survey about distance learning during school closures!

Media Release

IDRA, Partners Provide South Texas Families Tech Support for Distance Learning During COVID-19 Crisis for Virtual Classroom

IDRA launched a partnership with two community-based organizations in the Texas Rio Grande Valley to help Spanish-speaking families navigate virtual classrooms while schools are closed due to COVID-19.

Media Release

IDRA Launches Bilingual Online Portal to Continue Assistance with the Mexican Consulate in San Antonio During COVID-19 Closures

Through its Ventanilla de Orientación Educativa (Window to Education), IDRA launched a portal this month with bilingual materials and videos for families. The materials provide information on the civil rights of immigrant and English learner students, local educational services, and resources on how to access and succeed in college.

Media Release

IDRA Provides Bilingual Books to Young Learners in San Antonio School Districts to Diminish Digital Divide Effects Exacerbated by COVID-19

For many years before the COVID-19 outbreak, IDRA has worked with schools and communities to close digital divide for the most vulnerable students. With assistance from San Antonio Area Foundation and the United Way of San Antonio this week, IDRA will provide its popular Semillitas de Aprendizaje bilingual storybooks to families in Edgewood ISD and Southwest ISD who have no access to online education.

Help IDRA support teachers & families to ensure that Learning Goes On during the COVID-19 pandemic!

As a community, we can protect the most underserved students from falling through the cracks as their education is disrupted by school closures.

News Release

Texas Legislative Education Equity Coalition Sends COVID-19 Recommendations to State Leaders

Multi-sector Coalition Cautions Leaders to Distribute Emergency Funds Equitably.

The Texas Legislative Education Equity Coalition (TLEEC) sent a letter to Governor Greg Abbott, Commissioner of Education Mike Morath, and Commissioner of Higher Education Harrison Keller, urging the leaders to distribute and monitor federal COVID-19 emergency relief funds equitably.

News Release

A Win for Equity: Texas Board to Adopt Curriculum Standards for African American Studies Course in Historic Vote

IDRA applauds the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) for its preliminary approval today of the proposed curriculum standards for a state-approved African American Studies course. With the unanimous vote, the SBOE takes a step in the right direction to create excellent and equitable schools in which all students learn about the rich contributions to this country that African Americans have made in all disciplines.

Statement

IDRA President’s Message Re: COVID-19 to Our Community Partners

In the wake of the current public health crisis, IDRA is committed to the well-being and health of our staff and the students and communities we serve.

eNews

IDRA EAC-South Assists Virginia Commission on African American History Education in the Commonwealth

The commission will update Virginia’s standards of learning to be more inclusive of African American contributions

Infographic

IDRA EAC-South Family Engagement Online Assistance Package

See our new technical assistance package focusing on family engagement.

eNews

Welcoming Immigrant Students in School

As schools are registering students for the new school year, IDRA released this new alert as a reminder that public schools, by law, must serve all children. Not only should undocumented students not be discouraged from attending, they are required to attend school under the state’s compulsory education laws.