Using inclusive, cutting edge and broad-based strategies, IDRA develops leadership within communities, schools, and policymaking bodies to create collaborative and enlightened educational policies that work for all children.
COVID-19 Education Policy Updates
IDRA is releasing policy updates for schools regarding COVID-19 each Friday in our Learning Goes On eNews (sign up free). See a log of the updates here in English and in Spanish.
New! June 12, 2020, edition U.S. Department of Education affirms intent to exclude undocumented students from CARES Act relief funds; and COVID-19 federal guidance documents impact schools and communities: English • Spanish
June 5, 2020, edition with IDRA Statement in Support of Black Lives: English • Spanish
May 29, 2020, edition focusing on what we are hearing from families, students and educators: Part I: English • Spanish
May 22, 2020, edition focusing on how, without intervention, COVID-19-induced budgetary shortfalls will fall hardest on marginalized students in the South: English • Spanish
May 15, 2020, edition focusing on how COVID-19 does not change civil rights protections for students: English • Spanish
May 8, 2020, edition focusing on how COVID-19 worsens systemic educational inequity: English • Spanish
May 1, 2020, edition focusing on how family and community input is needed for COVID-19 relief funds: English • Spanish
April 24, 2020, edition focusing on how public school advocates join forces to push for emergency funding equity: English • Spanish
April 17, 2020, edition focusing on the CARES Act and federal COVID-19 actions: English • Spanish
Joint Letter: Supplemental Funding for English Learners/Title III in COVID Relief, April 17, 2020
April 9, 2020, edition focusing on policy recommendations to equity concerns for English learners in response to COVID-19: English • Spanish
April 3, 2020, edition focusing on how students in southern states face short- and long-term COVID-19 challenges: English • Spanish
Joint Letter: Letter to Texas Education Commissioner re 2020 Charter Amendments, April 3, 2020
Joint Letter: Recommendations for the Bexar County Juvenile Justice System’s COVID-19 Emergency Plan, March 27, 2020
March 27, 2020, Edition focusing on the CARES ACT and how Texas colleges are responding to COVID-19: English • Spanish
March 21, 2020, Edition focusing on Testing for Students in Texas & Equity Implications: English • Spanish
National News
New! School Policing Resources
New! Another Zero-Tolerance Failure – State Takeovers of School Districts Don’t Work, By Terrence Wilson, J.D., & Chloe Latham Sikes, M.A., March 2020
New! Joint Letter: Opposition to Georgia’s Proposed Expansion of School Vouchers, March 20, 2020
Texas News
Court Decision on the “Public Charge” Rule Leaves Schools to Fill Gaps to Address Children’s Hunger, Housing Insecurity and Other Needs that Affect their Learning, January 27, 2020
Ethnic Studies Courses
Testimony: African American Studies Course Will Have a Significant and Positive Impact on Students Across Texas, November 13, 2019
News Release: IDRA EAC-South Assists Virginia Commission on African American History Education in the Commonwealth, October 28, 2019
Bilingual Education Funding
Policy Brief: Most English Learners Would Be Excluded from the Proposed Dual Language Weight
Bilingual Allotment Data Dashboard: IDRA created this data dashboard to show scenarios of how increasing the bilingual education allotment will impact schools within each Texas House or Senate district.
Testimony: Keep Spending Guidelines for Bilingual and Comp Ed Funding, April 25, 2019
School Funding
Infographic: Texas State Divestment of Education
Policy Brief: Fair and Essential Education Funding Requires State Investment
Analysis: Summary of Comprehensive Texas School Finance Bill
Infographic: 7 Things to Ensure School Finance Equity
See IDRA’s Online Tool: IDRA’s Texas School Finance news dashboard
Individual Graduation Committees
Testimony: TLEC Urges Texas House to Permanently Allow the Use of Individual Graduation Committees
Policy Brief: Don’t Block Graduation Because of a Test
Infographic: Use of Individual Graduation Committees Unlocks Diplomas for 14,422 Qualified Students in Texas
Top Ten Percent Plan
Analysis: Texas Top Ten Percent Plan at UT-Austin Has Dramatic Impact Within Texas Senate Districts
Charter Schools and Privatization
Joint Statement: Increase the Transparency and Efficiency of Charter Schools in Texas
School Safety
New! School Policing Resources
Testimony: Use Effective Discipline, Not Zero Tolerance – IDRA Testimony Against SB2432, April 30, 2019
Testimony: Clearly Define the Role of Law Enforcement in Schools – Officers Should Not Be Called on to Handle School Disciplinary Matters, IDRA Testimony on SB1 707, March 26, 2019
Joint Statement: Legislative Solutions for Safe Schools Must Include School-Based Strategies that Help Educators and Support Students
School Holding Power
Research: Texas High Schools Lost 1 in 5 Students Last Year – IDRA attrition study
Research: Poor Children Are More Likely to Disappear from Schools in Texas
