November-December issue of the IDRA Newsletter – This month’s focus: School Holding Power
Articles
Texas Higher Education Law Aims to Improve Outcomes for Students in Developmental Education, by Bricio Vasquez, Ph.D.
Three Guiding Principles for Removing College Readiness Barriers in School Policies and Practices, by Nilka Avilés, Ed.D., and Hector Bojorquez
Texas Public School Attrition Study Highlights, 2018-19 – Attrition Rate Down to 21%, But Texas High Schools Lost Over 88,000 Students Last Year, by Roy L. Johnson, M.S.
Valued Youth Partnership Tutor on the Importance of Being Able to Ask Questions in School, by Emaje’ Williams, Odessa High School, Ector County ISD, Texas
Extras
Teens Win 2019 National Essay Contest Awards
October issue of the IDRA Newsletter – This month’s focus: Gender Justice
“Student safety is foundational to student learning. Gender-based injustice and discrimination against LGBTQ students are not just harmful to students’ well-being; they also have long-lasting academic and societal impacts”
– Celina Moreno, J.D., IDRA President & CEO
Articles
Making Schools Safe Learning Havens for LGBTQ Students, by Stephanie Garcia, Ph.D., & Aurelio M. Montemayor, M.Ed.
Discipline Strategies to Combat Faulty Assumptions that Target Black Male Youth, by Daryl V. Williams, Ed.D.
Strategies for Increasing Girls’ Participation in STEM, by Paula Johnson, Ph.D., & Michelle Vega
In Memoriam – William S. White, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
Extras
eBook: Girls and STEM Education – Research Overview and Resources
Infographic: School Climate Affects LGBTQ Student Well-being
Resource List for Supporting LGBTQ Students
September issue of the IDRA Newsletter – This month’s focus: School Leadership
“Principals who foster culturally-sustaining instruction and welcoming school climates show the community, through concrete action, that they believe all students and families are valuable.”
– Celina Moreno, J.D., IDRA President & CEO
Articles
Superintendent Dr. Daniel King Describes How Strong Family Leadership Leads to School Innovation, by Aurelio M. Montemayor, M.Ed., featuring Superintendent Daniel King, Ph.D.
Five Best Practices for Effective Principals and School Leadership Teams, by Nilka Avilés, Ed.D.
Mexican American Studies in All Grades – Administering an Innovation, by Aurelio M. Montemayor, M.Ed.
English Learner Success Depends on Strong Principal Leadership, by Nilka Avilés, Ed.D.
Extras
5 Steps on How to Start an Education CAFE – Infographic
10 Strategies for How Schools Should Respond to Help Children Impacted by ICE Raids – Infographic
Mexican American Studies – IDRA Services
Family Engagement Online Assistance Package – Infographic
IDRA EAC-South Family Engagement Web-based Technical Assistance Package
August 2019 Issue of the IDRA Newsletter – This month’s focus: Student Voice
“Students must have a seat at the table to inform the direction of initiatives that impact them, their families and the broader community.”
– Celina Moreno, J.D., IDRA President & CEO
Articles
Steps for Helping Students Become Activists – A Teen’s Advice, by Melivia Mujia
Building a STEM Identity through the Chief Science Officer Program, by Lexis Ratto & Kelly O’Kane
The Day I Taught My High School Peers, by Alyssa Diaz
How Student-Led Lessons Impacted My Understanding of School, by Daniela Herrejon
High School Tutor Learns While Tutoring Others, by Anahi Ortiz
Students as Co-Collaborators in Teaching & Learning – Advice from the Field, by Andres López
Extras
Steps to Promoting Student Activism – Infographic
Teens Win 2019 National Essay Contest Awards
Mexican American Studies – IDRA Services
June-July 2019 Issue of the IDRA Newsletter – This month’s focus: Education Policy
“Ensuring all students graduate prepared to succeed in college requires effective policymaking hand-in-hand with the people most impacted by our laws. They hold the policy solutions to improve their lives and effect generational change for themselves and our society.”
– Celina Moreno, J.D., IDRA President &CEO
Articles
Texas Legislature Concentrates on School Funding, by Morgan Craven, J.D.
New Discipline and Safety Policies for Texas, by Morgan Craven, J.D.
Accountability Measures Set to Respond to Public Pressure – Changes Made to STAAR; Individual Graduation Committees Extended, by Morgan Craven, J.D.
College Access Legislation Increases Transparency and Adds Funds to TEXAS Grant Program, by Morgan Craven, J.D.
Taking Steps Toward Keeping the Public in Public Education
Extras
Timeline: A History of IDRA Policy Work to Secure Excellent and Equitable Schooling for All Children
May issue of the IDRA Newsletter – This month’s focus: College Opportunity
“What is good for the children of the most powerful in our society must be the expectation we set for all students.”
– Celina Moreno, J.D., IDRA President &CEO
Articles
School Counselors Express Concerns about College and Career Advising in Texas, by Hector Bojorquez
Five Best Practices that Add Women to the Equation – Preparing K-12 Girls for Mathematics, by Stephanie Garcia, Ph.D., & Kasia Razynska
Characteristics of College-Focused Schools, by Nilka Avilés, Ed.D.
Extras
Top Ten Percent Plan – Research, Infographic, Resources
#IAmTop10Percent –Share your story!
IDRA Names Dr. Cristóbal Rodríguez as the 2019 José A. Cárdenas School Finance Fellow
April issue of the IDRA Newsletter – This month’s focus: Early Learning
“Successful early childhood programs take what we know from brain research and provide meaningful reading and writing activities that appeal to children’s eagerness to learn about the world around them. All children benefit when these programs are accessible, well-funded and have well-prepared teachers.”
– Celina Moreno, J.D., IDRA President & CEO
Articles
Current Proposals for Texas’ Investment in English Learners Still Not Enough, by Morgan Craven, J.D.
Fixing Asset-Based Early Childhood Education, by Hector Bojorquez
Building Culturally-Relevant Libraries for Young Learners, by Nilka Avilés, Ed.D., and José A. Velázquez, M.Ed.
Extras
Bilingual Literacy Development Materials for Summer
Infographic: Texas Divestment of Public Education
IDRA’s Bilingual Allotment Dashboard
March issue of the IDRA Newsletter – This month’s focus: Fair Discipline
“To respond to horrific school shootings by pushing students into the school-to-prison pipeline and undercutting their civil rights only begets further tragedy.”
– Celina Moreno, J.D., IDRA President & CEO
Articles
Federal School Safety Commission Recommendations Could Lead to Less Safe Schools, by Morgan Craven, J.D.
Three Approaches for Dismantling Discriminatory Discipline in Schools, by Paula N. Johnson, Ph.D., & José A. Velázquez, M.Ed.
Discipline Policies Must Not Come at the Expense of Any Group of Students, by Morgan Craven, J.D.
Restorative Practices – Informal and Formal Processes for Addressing Behavior, by Paula N. Johnson, Ph.D.
Extras
Principles for School Safety, Privacy, and Equity
In Memoriam – Mr. William Acosta
February issue of the IDRA Newsletter – This month’s focus: Purposeful Governance
“IDRA will continue to work with our allies in the civil rights community to protect students and strengthen education by drawing on our unique ability to bridge policy, with practice, with teacher and principal training, and, most importantly, with community engagement, because families must be at the table.” – Celina Moreno, J.D., IDRA President & CEO
Articles
New IDRA CEO Carries on IDRA’s Legacy and Future, by Celina Moreno, J.D.
Meet Morgan Craven – IDRA’s National Director of Policy
IDRA Policy Issues for Texas in 2019 Released
Red Flags Wave in Proposed Changes to Title IX – Gender Equity in Schools Needs Diligence not Relaxation, by Aurelio M. Montemayor, M.Ed.
The Attrition Rates for Poor Students is 29 Times Higher than for other Texas Students, IDRA Texas School Attrition Study, 2017-18
Extras
Annual IDRA La Semana del Niño Parent Institute on April 5 in San Antonio
See up-to-date news on Texas school finance at IDRA’s online dashboard
January issue of the IDRA Newsletter – This month’s focus: Data for Actionable Knowledge
“Real, lasting change in schools comes when people are engaged at all levels, from state capitols to board rooms, from classrooms to community centers and kitchen tables, and where people have the knowledge they need to take the right steps on behalf of all children.” – Dr. María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel, IDRA President & CEO
Articles
Office for Civil Rights Data Reveals Patterns of Inequity, by Bricio Vasquez, Ph.D.
Using Data to Uncover Facts for Strengthening Education, by Bricio Vasquez, Ph.D., and Hector Bojorquez
Family Leadership in Education Projects… and the Data that Drives Them, by Aurelio M. Montemayor, M.Ed.
Corazón, A Poem for María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel, by Laurie Posner, MPA
José A. Cárdenas School Finance Fellows Program Call for Applications from 2019 – Due March 22, 2019
Extras
IDRA Policy Issues for Texas in 2019 Released – IDRA issued a call for attention to seven key policy issues that are essential to the state providing an excellent and equitable education for all children in the state.
José A. Cárdenas School Finance Fellows Program Call for Applications from 2019 – Due March 22, 2019
Annual IDRA La Semana del Niño Parent Institute – Save the Date: April 5, 2019
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