Education Policy

Public funds should remain in public schools, with oversight from local communities.

Policies that funnel much-needed resources to charter schools, private school vouchers, and other similar programs hurt traditional public schools and the students and families they serve.  

Learn more about IDRA’s work to keep the public in public education below.

Sign up to receive our email updates!

Traditional public schools receive public funds, are operated by publicly-elected school boards, and should be held accountable by the communities, families and students they serve. Public governance, engagement and accountability are critical parts of ensuring strong schools for all students.  

Unfortunately, there is a growing movement to invest in charter schools, voucher programs, education savings account, and other programs that funnel money away from the public schools that are open to all students, toward privately-run schools and individual families.  

IDRA collaborates with students, families, and other advocacy organizations to protect and improve traditional public schools. Our research and advocacy aim to challenge the narratives that lead to bad policies and practices that harm public school students. 

Learn more about IDRA’s policy recommendations for Texas.

Resources 

Changing Policy

Joint Statement: Increase the Transparency and Efficiency of Charter Schools in Texas

TLEC Testimony, Is Texas Getting a Good Return on Charter Schools?, Presented before the House Public Education Committee (Special Session), August 8, 2017

Statement: Vouchers: Unwise, Unworkable & Unfair

Acting on Research and Data 

Study: Texas Charter School System Suffers Low Graduation Rates

Infographic: Charter School Study – Pomp and Poor Circumstances

Engaging Communities

Texas: Letter to Texas Education Commissioner re 2020 Charter Amendments 

Texas: Joint Letter to TEA Regarding Implementation of the Common Charter Application and Charter Waiting List

Texas: Joint Statement: Increase the Transparency and Efficiency of Charter Schools in Texas

Georgia: Joint Letter: Opposition to Georgia’s Proposed Expansion of School Vouchers 

Communicating Effectively 

Bill targets Texas charter school admissions, Austin American-Statesman, March 21, 2019

Sistema escolar chárter con tasas bajas de graduación. Agencia de Educación de Texas, Edelia Hernández, El Mañana, January 11, 2018

For more resources, see IDRA’s Public Funding for Public Schools site.