November-December 2018 IDRA Newsletter – This month’s focus: Commemorative Issue
Articles
A Tribute to Dr. María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel – Crossing Borders with Faith, Courage, Insight & Persistence, by Aurelio M. Montemayor, M.Ed.
Commencement Address – Our Lady of the Lake University, May 7, 2015, by María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel, Ph.D.
The Quotable Dr. María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel, by María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel, Ph.D.
Dear colleagues, partners and friends: Greetings and abrazos – A letter from Dr. María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel, by María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel, Ph.D.
A Collection of Thanks and Farewells to Dr. Robledo Montecel
Three Decades of Groundbreaking Dropout Research – Reflections by Dr. Robledo Montecel, An Excerpt, by Bricio Vasquez, Ph.D.
Dear Children – A Letter, by María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel, Ph.D.
Extras
Sample Publications Written and Co-written by Dr. Robledo Montecel
Sample Awards & Fellowships – Dr. Robledo Montecel
October 2018 IDRA Newsletter – This month’s focus: College Preparation
“We must make sure that every student has access to high-quality teaching and a quality curriculum that prepares them for post-secondary education. As researchers, we play a critical role by examining policies and practices that contribute to students’ success or failure. Together, the future is in our hands.” – Dr. María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel, IDRA President and CEO
Articles
Texas Public School Attrition Study, 2017-18 – High School Attrition Improves by Two Points, by Roy L. Johnson, M.S.
Still Making a Case for Algebra II, by Paula Johnson, Ph.D.
Counselors Overwhelmed and Worried about Implementing Texas’ New Graduation Requirements – IDRA Study Explores Counselor Concerns in Supporting Students for College Preparation, by Hector Bojorquez
Expanding Career Awareness for College… Especially for First-timers, by Aurelio M. Montemayor, M.Ed.
Extras
Texas Public School Attrition Study, 2017-18, and related resources
Classnotes Podcast Episode: “Why Algebra II?”
Classnotes Podcast episode on the Ready Texas Study
ESSA Training Kit 5 – Career Awareness for College Planning
September 2018 IDRA Newsletter – This month’s focus: English Learner Literacy
“English learners are one of the lowest academically performing groups of students, and the achievement gap widens as students progress through school. Equal access to a quality education is the civil rights issue of our generation, and we must work in every way to make educational opportunity a reality.” – Dr. María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel, IDRA President and CEO
Articles
School Leaders Improve English Learner Literacy with Focus on Inferencing, by Nilka Avilés, Ed.D.
Creating Effective Diverse Classrooms through Accelerated Teacher Certification, by Felix Montes, Ph.D.
Readers Theatre – Teatro en el Aula – New IDRA Semillitas de Aprendizaje Product for Young Learners
IDRA Annual Report Released: Keeping the Promise – Profiles in Leadership and Education
Extras
Podcast episodes: A Principal on Leadership for a Turnaround School – Part 1 –Episode 168 and Part 2 – Episode 169
Report: IDRA Transition to Teaching Program – 15-Year Synthesis
Infographic – Preparing Teachers to Serve Today’s Classrooms
Semillitas de Aprendizaje website, with video clips from the Storytelling & Storyreading Videos DVD
Podcast episode: Readers Theatre in Early Childhood Ed” – IDRA Classnotes Podcast #134
August 2018 IDRA Newsletter – This month’s focus: Religion Equity
“We live to some purpose: Helping schools work for all children and valuing children, educators, families and communities. We care deeply about children and believe that the lives and choices of many hang in the balance of what you and I as educators are able to provide today.” – Dr. María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel, IDRA President and CEO
Articles
Religion Equity in Schools – Protecting Students and Their Civil Rights, by Paula N. Johnson, Ph.D.
Religion Equity and School Dress Codes, by Sulema Carreón-Sánchez, Ph.D., and Phoebe Schlanger
Immigrant Students’ Rights to Attend Public Schools
Extras
Website: Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program – Learn more about the program and how to bring it to your school
Video: Dropout Prevention that Works – Overview of how the Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program impacts students and schools. [12 min.]
Winning Essays: Booklet with full text of the six winning essays
eBook in English and Spanish on Immigrant Students’ Rights to Attend Public Schools
Infographic: Welcoming Immigrant Students in School
Webpage with resources: Education of Immigrant Children
June-July 2018 IDRA Newsletter – This month’s focus: IDRA’s 45th Anniversary
“As we complete 45 years, IDRA continues to stand against educational injustice, inequality and lack of excellence for all. Schools can matter and succeed with a new vision created by people who believe that all children are valuable, that all people can contribute, and that public education can indeed change things, including futures.” – Dr. María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel, IDRA President and CEO
IDRA at 45 Years: Courageous Connections for Advocacy
Articles
Beginning with the End in Mind to Establish Equitable, Excellent Education, María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel, Ph.D., and Aurelio M. Montemayor, M.Ed.
Valuing Youth and Assuring that All Youth Count, María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel, Ph.D., and Aurelio M. Montemayor, M.Ed.
InterAction with the Ecosystem – The IDRA Quality Schools Action Framework, María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel, Ph.D., and Aurelio M. Montemayor, M.Ed.
Extras
IDRA Anniversary Highlights – See a set of posters with photos from across the decades
Timeline – A History of IDRA Policy Work to Secure Excellent and Equitable Schooling for All Children
Watch our video about the Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program: Dropout Prevention that Works (12 min)
See the Fifty Most Memorable Quotes in School Finance (pdf)
Related podcast episodes:
- “Busting Myths About Children of Poverty” (24 min)
- “A Valuing Professional Development Model”(15 min)
- “Student Voices on Being Valued” (12 min)
Listen to a series of our podcast episodes featuring Dr. Robledo Montecel:
May 2018 IDRA Newsletter – This month’s focus: Rejecting a Return to Tracking
“We must make sure that every student has access to high-quality teaching and a quality curriculum that prepares them for post-secondary education.” – Dr. María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel, IDRA President and CEO
Articles
Getting it Just Right! – Rigor and College Prep for All, by Paula N. Johnson, M.A.
Rural Districts Take a 24 Percent Hit in Algebra II Enrollment – IDRA Ready Texas Study Examines Texas HB5 Graduation Requirements, by Hector Bojorquez
Locked Gates and Hurdles on the College Path, by Aurelio M. Montemayor, M.Ed.
Call for Applications – 2018 IDRA José A. Cárdenas School Finance Fellows Program
Extras
Research Study: Ready Texas study, policy brief, infographic and other info
Classnotes Podcast episode Ready Texas Study of New Graduation Requirements – Episode 178
Bilingual Handout: “Expecting Less is Not Better”
April 2018 IDRA Newsletter – This month’s focus: Institutional Grit
“Regrettably, some researchers and school administrators around the country are thinking only about assessing students’ grit and resilience. They are already assuming that students are lacking, rather than exploring how schools must change.” – Dr. María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel, IDRA President and CEO
Articles
The Link between Institutional Grit and Non-cognitive Skills, by Hector Bojorquez
Institutionalized Discrimination… Does it Exist in Your School?, by David Hinojosa, J.D.
In-grade Retention National Trends and Civil Rights Concerns, by Paula N. Johnson, M.A.
Texas Graduation Requirements and Opportunities – IDRA’s New Parent Involvement Tool for School Districts, by Aurelio M. Montemayor, M.Ed.
Resources from the 20th Annual IDRA La Semana del Niño Parent Institute™
Extras
Texas Graduation Requirements and Opportunities – Training Kit
March 2018 IDRA Newsletter – Duty to Educate
“The United States is still uniquely committed to one education system that prepares us all for living in a great democracy. We must preserve this commitment.” – Dr. María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel, IDRA President and CEO
Articles
School Leaders Create Culture of Equity and Success, by Nilka Avilés, Ed.D.
Addressing “Ecological Shock” – Supporting Refugee Students in School, by Kristin Grayson, Ph.D., and Hannah Sung
Schools’ Duty to Educate English Learner Immigrant and Migrant Students, by Kristin Grayson, Ph.D.
Latest IDRA Parent Involvement Tool Focuses on Keeping Public Money in Public Schools, by Aurelio M. Montemayor, M.Ed.
Extras
IDRA Infographic Welcoming Immigrant Students in School 2018
Classnotes Podcast: Supporting Refugee Students – Podcast Episode 181
Public Money for Public Schooling – Training Kit
February 2018 IDRA Newsletter – Gender Justice
“Children need places and spaces that are safe, that are nurturing, that welcome them as they are.” – Dr. María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel, IDRA President and CEO
Articles
Sexual Harassment – Safe Learning Environments for All Students, by Michelle Martínez Vega
School-Based Strategies for Supporting Girls in Technology – With Perspectives from a 14-Year-Old Coder, by Christie L. Goodman, APR
Equity and Justice for LGBTQ Students – Teacher Responsibilities, by Aurelio M. Montemayor, M.Ed., and Michelle Martínez Vega
Second Installment of IDRA’s New Parent Involvement Tools for School Districts, by Aurelio M. Montemayor, M.Ed.
Extras
Annual IDRA La Semana del Niño Parent Institute – April 6, 2018
eBook: Title IX Resources for Sex & Gender Equity in Education
Community-Based Parent Involvement – Training Kit
eBook: Girls and STEM Education – Research Overview and Resources
January 2018 IDRA Newsletter – Restoring Justice
“Children need places and spaces that are safe, that are nurturing, that welcome them as they are.” – Dr. María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel, IDRA President and CEO
Articles
Integrating the Assets of Social Justice Principles to Transform Schools, by Nilka Avilés, Ed.D., and Hector Bojorquez
How Using Restorative Practices Can Prevent Exclusionary Discipline Issues, by Kristin Grayson, Ph.D., Paula Johnson, M.A.
ESSA Requirements for Schools and Parent Involvement – New Tool for School Districts, by Aurelio M. Montemayor, M.Ed.
Texas Charter School System Suffers Low Graduation Rates – The Class of 2016 saw Graduation Rates of 62% in Charter Schools Compared to 90% in Traditional Public Schools, by María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel, Ph.D.
Extras
Annual IDRA La Semana del Niño Parent Institute – April 6, 2018
IDRA’s annual attrition study, October 2017
Civil Rights in Student Discipline – Podcast Episode 158
eBook, Resources on Student Discipline Policy and Practice
Zero Tolerance Policies Push Students Away
Recent Podcasts 