Events

Are you interested in project-based learning but not sure where to start? Project-based learning is a transformative pedagogical method based on student-centered classrooms, but it requires teachers to adjust how they present information and facilitate learning. This IDRA webinar will answer some of the most common questions about planning, implementation and best practices for project-based learning. Learn how to transform your teaching to better support your student’s learning.

Got 15 Minutes? Take Action for Public Education! IDRA holds virtual office hours to walk you through the process of submitting public comments online Each week, committees in the Texas Legislature consider specific bills related to public education. You can add your voice to advocates across the state calling for high-quality public education for every student. With health precautions in place, most public input will occur online. You can help without missing school or work to travel to Austin. Every Monday afternoon, IDRA will help students, families, educators and community members submit their own comments on education bills being debated by Texas lawmakers that week. #ShareYourStory Bilingual event in English & Spanish What happens during IDRA’s virtual office hours? Get information on bills that will be heard by lawmakers that...

Tell Texas policymakers why they should support bilingual students! Join us in this Zoom session where IDRA will help you use social media and your telephone to advocate for emergent bilingual students (English learners). This free session will be conducted in Spanish and English.

Before COVID-10, schools in Texas struggled to prepare emergent bilingual students for college. Less than one in three (29%) graduates in the class of 2019 were deemed college-ready. And emergent bilingual students were more likely to experience chronic absenteeism with 24% missing three or more days of school. Already faced with a short teacher supply, emergent bilingual students must now navigate the complexities and hardships posed by campus closures. In this webinar, Dr. Chloe Latham Sikes outlines six recommendations in our just-released report, Creating a More Bilingual Texas – A Closer Look at Bilingual Education in the Lone Star State, that she co-authored with Chandra Kring Villanueva of Every Texan. The report provides an overview of policies, history and current issues for emergent bilingual students and bilingual/ESL education in Texas....

  Members and friends of the Texas Legislative Education Equity Coalition are holding a series of three community conversations about how we can work together to strengthen public education, particularly for students of color. This virtual event is for families, community members and advocates across the state to discuss state policies before the Texas legislative session that began in January and ends in May. We will share stories with one another and work toward a TLEEC Legislative lobby day. Schedule (Dates revised due to winter storms) TLEEC Town Hall Part 1: February 9, focusing on investing in public school students and on promoting quality bilingual education TLEEC Town Hall Part 2: March 9, focusing on meaningful assessment and fair accountability and on preparing all students for college readiness and success...

Educational leaders are juggling many priorities with the extraordinary challenges COVID-19 brought for principals and all campus administrators. This webinar explores lessons learned during the pandemic on how to provide thoughtful and effective leadership. Principals Dr. Timothy Vaughn from Edgewood ISD, Rawan Hammoudeh from San Antonio ISD and Jorge Cruz of Southwest ISD join Dr. Nilka Avilés of IDRA to discuss the competencies they have used in finding solutions to the challenges and concerns during this pandemic.   This is the third of the IDRA EAC-South’s free webinar series on reopening schools. Get details and other COVID-19 educator webinars: https://idra.news/WebinarSeries Sign up for notices of news and future IDRA webinars here: https://idra.news/Subscribe

As a student, you have immeasurable power to make a difference in the future of education. The Texas Legislature is convening in Austin between now and May to make decisions that affect your schooling. But they rarely get to hear from students and get your perspective. They need to know what students faced throughout the pandemic and your vision for your future. At this virtual summit, you and other students will hear the results of a student-led survey about their experiences with school during the pandemic, discuss major policy issues the legislature is considering and issues you think they should consider, and plan next steps for elevating student voices at the capitol. IDRA is facilitating this work, but the plans and actions are student-driven. #ForStudentsByStudents   A primary adult caregiver...

Understanding the Texas Legislature: Lege 101 – Webinar Le invitamos a un evento de IDRA que le ayudará a mejor entender como funciona la legislatura de Texas. El enfoque del taller sera como usar el poder colectivo que tenemos para presionar la legislatura y pasar leyes que apoyan la educación bilingüe. Este evento se llevará a cabo principalmente en español con subtítulos en inglés y traducción. We invite you to an IDRA event that will help you better understand how the Texas legislature functions. The focus of this workshop will be on how to use our collective power to pressure the legislature and pass laws that support bilingual education. This virtual event will be conducted in Spanish with English translation and presentation subtitles Provided through IDRA’s Education CAFEs and our Texas...

In-person student engagement with teachers is ideal for listening, speaking and other social interactions that are critical parts of language development. But virtual platforms and limited in-person engagement caused by COVID-19 precautions hinder such engagement. This webinar features a phenomenal Texas educator, Grace Delgado, executive director of multilingual services for Aldine ISD, to review programming and instructional considerations for bilingual education and serving emergent bilingual students, as well as relevant applications for virtual and remote learning. Resources Impact of the Pandemic on Bilingual Education IDRA Slidedeck Aldine ISD – K-12 Linguistic Accommodations (online learning) Strong Start 2020 Texas English Learner Program Implementation Guidance This is the third of the IDRA EAC-South’s free webinar series on reopening schools. Get details and other COVID-19 educator webinars: https://idra.news/WebinarSeries Sign up for notices of...

Mesa Comunitaria sobre la educación de los niños bilingües Join us for a community conversation about how we can work together to strengthen education for young English learner students. This virtual event is for families and interested community members across the state to discuss state policies leading into the Texas legislative session that begins in January. Hear major policy ideas from the Early Childhood English Learner Initiative that IDRA is a part of. And find out how you can advocate for young English learner students. IDRA also will share information about our new initiative, Family Advocates for Young English Learners and how you can receive continuous policy information, support, and training to contact your representatives on bilingual education policies. This event will be mostly conducted in Spanish with English captioning...

How Schools Can Help their Communities Get Counted This webinar aims to mobilize the education community to complete the census. Due to COVID-19, the U.S. Census Bureau extended operations to October 31, 2020. But the Census Bureau suddenly announced it was rolling back operations to September 30, cutting a month of much-needed time to achieve a complete and accurate census. In this webinar, we contextualize the 2020 Census and its timeline, discuss efforts over the past year, review completion data, and provide a toolkit for effective census outreach in the last month of operations. See our Everyone Counts – 2020 Census webpage for resources. Sign up for notices of news and future IDRA webinars here: https://idra.news/Subscribe hr{ border-top: 2px solid #0072CF; }

The shift to virtual learning brought on by the pandemic hits families with limited resources particularly hard. At the same time, students miss out on chances to practice leadership when they are schooling from home. In this webinar, meet teens and college students who have been helping families and their children navigate technology for school. They will share their ideas for how schools and communities can engage youth while also providing much-needed tech support in their family engagement work this year. Sign up for notices of news and future IDRA webinars here: https://idra.news/Subscribe

Fourth Webinar in our School Reopening Series Districts are working hard to develop back-to-school plans that meet the needs of all learners. They also must consider how to address the socio-emotional needs of students. Moderated by Dr. Paula Johnson, Director, IDRA EAC-South, this panel of student advocates and educational leaders will discuss policy recommendations for district decision-makers on reopening schools that embrace restorative justice, ethnic studies and culturally responsive practices.     This is the third of the IDRA EAC-South’s free webinar series on reopening schools. Get details and other COVID-19 educator webinars: https://idra.news/WebinarSeries Sign up for notices of news and future IDRA webinars here: https://idra.news/Subscribe

Third Webinar in Our School Reopening Series Hear from parents, grandparents and caregivers sharing their concerns and questions about what the future holds for reopening schools and students’ emotional wellbeing. Connecting with families will be vital for educators as they welcome students back in a world changed by COVID-19, immigration and the Black Lives Matter and the #MeToo movements. Featuring: Mercedes Bristol, executive director, Texas Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Lourdes Flores, president, ARISE Support Center Eric López, parent of a child who is active in Mexican American Studies student support Matt Montaño, Texas Education Agency Deputy Commissioner Karina Quesada-Leon, parent & member, IDRA Education CAFE in Houston ISD Dr. Courtney Robinson, founder & executive director, Excellence & Advance Foundation Dr. Kazandra Wilson, public information manager, Arkansas Department of Education Moderated by Aurelio M....

Second Webinar in Our School Reopening Series Our panel of advocates and practitioners discuss the needs of students on issues such as COVID-19, school safety, immigration, and the Black Lives Matter and #MeToo movements that schools will need to prepare for as they reopen. Featuring: Dr. Cherise Rohr-Allegrini, Epidemiologist Hon. Aicha Davis, State Board of Education Hon. Marisa Pérez-Díaz, State Board of Education Lisa Marie Gomez, San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and My Brother’s Keeper – San Antonio Gylon Jackson, Black Lives Matter – San Antonio Moderator: Dr. Chloe Latham Sikes, Deputy Director of Policy This is second in the IDRA EAC-South’s free webinar series on reopening schools. Get details and other COVID-19 educator webinars: https://idra.news/WebinarSeries Sign up for notices of news and future IDRA webinars here: https://idra.news/Subscribe

First Webinar in Our School Reopening Series What does the future hold for school re-openings, mental health and student emotional well-being in the wake of a myriad of issues facing today’s youth? Our student panelists will help us understand the needs of their peers on issues, such as COVID-19, school safety, immigration, and the Black Lives Matter and #MeToo movements. Featuring:  Juliana Cruz, senior, Dallas ISD Taylor Ellingberb-McCloud, senior, Dallas ISD Melanie Harrell, recent graduate, San Antonio ISD Gracie Hernández, recent graduate, Northside ISD Kennedy Kearns, senior, Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD Dejia Nunn, sophomore, Judson ISD Lena Rivas, freshman, Northside ISD Gisselle Reyes, senior, Dallas ISD Lola Sánchez, recent graduate, San Antonio ISD Clarissa Tavera, junior, San Antonio ISD Moderator: Ana Ramón, IDRA Deputy Director of Advocacy This is first in...

See how you can bring the Texas Chief Science Officer program to your school. Are you interested to learn more about IDRA’s Texas Chief Science Officer Program? CSOs are students in grades 6-12 elected by their peers to be liaisons for STEM in their schools and communities. They learn leadership skills to implement on-campus projects and advocate for student voice in STEM. See this webinar with Dr. Stephanie Garcia, the Texas Regional Lead for the CSO Program, as she answers questions! This was an open Q&A discussion for families, students, educators and community organizations. We would love for you to join the conversation and learn more about how to join or champion this incredible student-driven program. Students leading students in STEM! CSOs are students in grades 6-12 elected by their...

Most people know that Google Classroom is a free online classroom management system, developed by Google for schools. But being a powerful and popular tool, doesn’t necessarily keep teachers from experiencing bumps along the way in. In this webinar, get tips on how to use Google Classroom more effectively from the perspectives of a teacher, parent and student. See webinar slidedeck (PDF) We also have separately the two video segments where students show how they use Google Classroom (see below). Sign up for notices of news and future IDRA webinars here: https://idra.news/Subscribe These webinars are part of the IDRA EAC-South’s free webinar series on Equitable Practices for Online Learning. Get details and other COVID-19 educator webinars: https://idra.news/WebinarSeries

Hear how San Antonio ISD faced the digital divide to ensure learning continued for their students during COVID-19. Eva Mendoza, executive director of information technology, will describe the work that San Antonio ISD performed to bridge the digital divide in her district.  She will discuss the challenges, successes and what’s next. Also, Clarissa Ramon from Google Fiber will share how funders can support your district when immediate needs arise. Sign up for notices of news and future IDRA webinars here: https://idra.news/Subscribe These webinars are part of the IDRA EAC-South’s free webinar series on Equitable Practices for Online Learning. Get details and other COVID-19 educator webinars: https://idra.news/WebinarSeries

Explore how to leverage online platforms to make high-quality science learning interactive and hands-on from home. Dr. Stephanie Garcia and Michelle Vega showcase four online platforms for teaching science concepts virtually: Educreations, Explain Everything, Quizlet and Padlet. They show how to use these tools through an online learning module template focused on Newton’s Laws of Motion, a middle school science concept. Slide deck – Teaching Science in Virtual Learning Environments     Sign up for notices of news and future IDRA webinars here: https://idra.news/Subscribe These webinars are part of the IDRA EAC-South’s free webinar series on Equitable Practices for Online Learning. Get details and other COVID-19 educator webinars: https://idra.news/WebinarSeries

COVID-19 School Response Webinar IDRA’s Texas Chief Science Officer students have an inspirational message to share how they have been coping with COVID-19 challenges and distance learning. These youth STEM ambassadors have not stopped their work to enrich a STEM culture despite their school and community closures. Instead, they have insightful perspectives on how they have been navigating these challenges, how they have stayed connected, and how they keep innovating and creating during this time. Join us as we elevate student voices and share their student success stories. Join Dr. Stephanie Garcia, director of IDRA’s Texas Chief Science Officer program, with special guest students: CSO Isela, 12th Grade, McCollum High School, Harlandale ISD CSO Shreya, 10th Grade, Keystone School CSO Elizabeth, 8th Grade, Northeast ISD STEM Academy (Nimitz MS) See...

COVID-19 School Response Webinar In the final installment of this three-part webinar series, trainers present steps for students to select from their journal entries one issue important to them. Students will expand their writing into a letter to someone in authority suggesting how the issue and its outcome could have been improved upon. Featuring Dr. Nilka Avilés, IDRA, with trainers Gerald Sharp, M.A., Edgewood ISD retired teacher and IDRA consultant, and Jeanne Cantu, M.A., Texas A&M University–San Antonio adjunct faculty and IDRA consultant Slide deck – From Journaling and Personal Narratives to Letter Writing – ELAR Webinar Part 3   Sign up for notices of news and future IDRA webinars here: https://idra.news/Subscribe This webinar is part of IDRA’s free webinar series on Equitable Practices for Online Learning to support educators...

COVID-19 School Response Webinar In the second of this three-part webinar series, trainers demonstrate a process where students select one of their journal entries to expand it into a fully developed personal narrative, reflecting the significance of the COVID-19 event. Featuring Dr. Nilka Avilés, IDRA, with Abydos trainers Gerald Sharp, M.A., Edgewood ISD retired teacher and IDRA consultant, and Jeanne Cantu, M.A., Texas A&M University–San Antonio adjunct faculty and IDRA consultant Slide deck – From Journaling to Personal Narratives – ELAR Webinar Part 2   Sign up for notices of news and future IDRA webinars here: https://idra.news/Subscribe This webinar is part of IDRA’s free webinar series on Equitable Practices for Online Learning to support educators as you continue student learning during this unprecedented coronavirus (COVID-19) event. Get details and see...

COVID-19 School Response Webinar Lead your students as they create a primary source for future historians. In Part 1 of this three-part webinar series, trainers outlined literacy lessons adaptable for all grades as students use journal writing to record their responses to a pandemic that has upended their school year. Featuring Dr. Nilka Avilés, IDRA, with trainers Gerald Sharp, M.A., Edgewood ISD retired teacher and IDRA consultant, and Jeanne Cantu, M.A., Texas A&M University–San Antonio adjunct faculty and IDRA consultant Slide deck – Journal Writing About the Present for the Future – ELAR Webinar Part 1 Sign up for notices of news and future IDRA webinars here: https://idra.news/Subscribe This webinar is part of IDRA’s free webinar series on Equitable Practices for Online Learning to support educators as you continue student...

Project-based learning (PBL) is a powerful approach for educators to use with distance learning because it creates quality home learning experiences. Through hands-on experiences, students can explore, create, engage and connect what they are learning to the real-world. Join us as we explain PBL components of this interdisciplinary and inquiry-based learning approach with an equity lens and discuss applications of PBL across the curriculum. Join Dr. Stephanie Garcia, IDRA’s STEM and gender equity education specialist, as she hosts a practical conversation with our guests: Ryan Beltrán, Founder, Elequa Dr. Carmen Fies, UTSA Associate Professor of STEM Education and Instructional Technologies David Padilla, Teacher, Dwight STEM Academy, South San Antonio ISD Resources Slide deck – PBL at Home and Across the Curriculum     This webinar is part of IDRA’s free webinar series on...

Get some tips you can use right away! Compare ways of supporting students in Google Classroom in shared spaces versus virtual learning environments. And see how to use Zoom Whiteboard, Explain Everything, and Google Classrooms and Training. Join Dr. Paula N. Johnson, director of the IDRA EAC-South as she hosts a practical conversation with our guests: Heather Aguilar, elementary teacher, Judson ISD Takiesha Martínez, middle school math teacher, San Antonio ISD Susan Hernández, high school math teacher, Northside ISD Resources Math Songs by NumbeRock Free Reading Anchor Charts on Teachers Pay Teachers Explain Everything – Interactive whiteboard app that is compatible with PC, Mac and iPad. Engage your students with with screencasting whiteboard videos. Record everything to create explanations, media-rich presentations, provide feedback, follow-ups, and meeting takeaways. Share them as...

The homework gap is not a new problem. But with the move to system-wide distance learning, it’s not just a homework gap any longer. This webinar presents ways to support students who do not have internet access or computer. Resources Slide deck – Strategies for Offline Learning during COVID-19 Crisis Charter Communications offers free internet for new households with college or K-12 students. To enroll call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households. Texas Educational Agency shares guidance to school districts on providing free internet for students. How can we work for equity & access in challenging times? Webinar by STEM Learning Ecosystem Shared Google Drive folder   This webinar is part of IDRA’s free webinar series on Equitable Practices for Online Learning to support educators as...

Get practical solutions to addressing the digital divide for your students. This webinar will explore immediate and sustainable long-term strategies that preserve the integrity of district fiscal policies. Featuring Jordana Barton, MPA, Federal Reserve Bank, email Rene Gonzales, Lit Communities, email Terrence Wilson, J.D., IDRA, email Michelle Martínez Vega, IDRA, email Slide deck – Digital Divide: Connectivity, Infrastructure and Devices Slide deck – Community Broadband Solutions in Response to COVID 19 Remind app Free Conference Call.com  Google Support – Offline Access  This webinar is part of IDRA’s free webinar series on Equitable Practices for Online Learning to support educators as you continue student learning during this unprecedented coronavirus (COVID-19) event. Get details and see past webinars: https://idra.news/WebinarSeries. This series is provided through the IDRA EAC-South.

This webinar helps teachers rethink their lesson plans for an online platform, including resources like teacher-created YouTube channels and explainer videos, tools for sharing resources with your peers, and ways of working with your district to ensure students have access. Slidedeck – Equitable Practices for Teaching Online Sign Up for Free Zoom Account https://zoom.us/signup Zoom Support Center https://support.zoom.us/ Sandbox Site https://zoom.us/test   This webinar is part of IDRA’s free webinar series on Equitable Practices for Online Learning to support educators as you continue student learning during this unprecedented coronavirus (COVID-19) event. Get details and see past webinars: https://idra.news/WebinarSeries This series is provided through the IDRA EAC-South.

Meet the Student Panelists – Future Inventors, Innovators and Entrepreneurs IDRA helped to coordinate the opening session of the STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice Convening on March 2, 2020. Students kicked off the event with a student panel discussion followed by individual student STEM talks Those interested in following up with a student can contact Stephanie Garcia, IDRA’s STEM and Gender Equity Education Specialist and director of IDRA’s Texas Chief Science Officer program (stephanie.garcia@idra.org). Shreya Chaudhary, 10th Grade A student at Keystone School, Shreya Chaudhary loves engineering and programming, and she constantly strives to use her skills to better the world around her. As an IDRA Chief Science Officer, she started the FIRST Robotics Club in Keystone and participates in STEM activities, such as the science bowl and science...

When you think of San Antonio, you think the Alamo, the Riverwalk, the Spurs, tourism, Mexican cuisine. You don’t necessarily think Black culture. The African American population is only 7%, which is one of the smallest for a U.S. city of this size. But there is a rich Black history here in San Antonio known to few. On this historic tour of the city’s “Eastside,” we strive to shed light on this important story by visiting some of San Antonio’s most notable African American landmarks and locations. We will take a ride to visit over 18 monumental sites significant to the Black community here in the Alamo City, including: Carver Cultural Community Center (formerly the Colored Branch Library) – originally erected in 1918, as a community center for African Americans...

We’d love to see you at our Open House if you’re in the area! 

Free IDRA EAC-South Webinar

Free IDRA EAC-South Webinar

Recent Webinars by IDRA and Our Partners January 10, 2018 – Integrated Schooling – Strategies and Benefits for Diverse Learning December 5, 2017 – Cultivating Equity-oriented Educators – What SEAs Can do to Promote Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Practices at the LEA Level – Webinar Series Part II November 15, 2017 – Culturally Responsive Pedagogy – An Effective Tool in Systemic School Transformation under ESSA – Webinar Series Part I November 8, 2017 – Diversifying the Teaching Field – Challenges and Opportunities September 20, 2017 – Ensuring a Safe and Inclusive School Environment for LGBTQ Students August 24, 2017 – How to Comment on the Texas ESSA Plan

Free IDRA EAC-South Webinars

Free IDRA EAC-South Webinars

Free IDRA EAC-South Webinar

Presented by the Center for Education Equity (CEE) in partnership with the IDRA-EAC South How can we affirm and support LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning) students and their families in schools? Although a lot of progress has been made in shifting public opinion in the last decade, LGBTQ students still face high incidents of bullying, harassment, and discrimination. What can educators do to support these students and ensure they are given every opportunity to succeed? In this webinar, hear from presenters as they share diverse perspectives and strategies on how to create safe and positive school environments to protect the civil rights and socio-emotional well-being of LGBTQ students. Learning Outcomes Participants will learn about: Strategies, best practices, and policy recommendations to ensure a safe and supportive school...

 August 24, 2017

At this research symposium, Dr. Marialena Rivera, IDRA’s 2016 José A. Cárdenas School Finance Fellow, presented her research findings. Dr. Rivera, provided a briefing on her study, “What about the Schools? – Factors Contributing to Expanded State Investment in School Facilities,” followed by a panel discussion with experts from across the country. Through case studies of five states with varying facilities policies, Dr. Rivera’s study examines the factors contributing to expanded state investment in equitable public school facilities and how those factors can be leveraged to encourage states that make minimal investments to expand their support for facilities funding. The five case study states are Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas and Wyoming. An assistant professor of education and community leadership at the Texas State University College of Education, Dr. Rivera’s research...

Through IDRA’s Opportunity Matters Roundtable Series, we spotlight key issues in education quality, opportunity and equity.

IDRA briefed legislative staff in Austin on the research and implications for policy in a forum hosted by Senator José Rodríguez and held in collaboration with the Texas Center for Education Policy, University of Texas at Austin.

Low Funding for Educating ELLs Affects Students Across Texas New Research on Education of English Learners in Middle School and High School Released at IDRA José A. Cárdenas School Finance Fellow Program Symposium

Bilingual Parent Institute  Special event for families, community groups, educators and administrators  With the latest CDC recommendations limiting small group gatherings, IDRA is canceling the live stream parent institute that was set for March 27. We will reschedule the popular in-person event for a later date once it is safe to do so and in consultation with our partners. We look forward to seeing you when all this has passed. Stay tuned for a detailed schedule. If you haven’t already, we encourage you to sign up for news updates. Grounded in our unique model of family leadership in education, the Annual IDRA La Semana del Niño Parent Institute is an event where families lead each other in advocating for equitable and excellent education in their communities. This annual institute offers...

  Notice: UTSA announced March 11 that it is transitioning classes to an online format through at least April 13 in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. UTSA and other local universities are taking social distancing measures to mitigate community spread. Thus, we must cancel the Mexican American Studies K-12 Professional Development session scheduled for April 11. We expect to be able to reschedule it for a later date. Thank you for your patience. This free workshop will offer guidelines that center on how to plan and teach Mexican American Studies at district and campus levels. Sessions will be led by middle school and high school educators who have created Mexican American Studies curricula in science, literature and social studies. CPE hours available.  Join the conversation at IDRA’s Equity Connection!...