Where Power Lives and Who It Leaves Out – Episode 249 graphic square

Where Power Lives and Who It Leaves Out – Classnotes Podcast 249 | Classnotes Podcast 249

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Where Power Lives and Who It Leaves Out – Episode 249 graphic squareClassnotes Podcast (August 4, 2025). In the first episode of this four-part series, IDRA Education Policy Fellows reflect on their hands-on advocacy during the 2025 legislative sessions in Texas and Georgia. They discuss what it was like to analyze bills, provide testimony and support coalitions – all while navigating systems of policymaking that often exclude impacted voices. Fellows explore what worked, what didn’t and what it means to be on the ground in spaces not built for them.

Mikayla Arciaga, M.A.Ed., Georgia Advocacy Director & Education Policy Fellows Coordinator, led the conversation with fellows: Vivek Datla, MPA, IDRA Education Policy Fellow – Regional, DeAndrea Byrd, IDRA Education Policy Fellow – Georgia, Isabelle Philip, IDRA Education Policy Fellow – Policy Communications, and Kaci Wright, M.Ed., IDRA Education Policy Fellow – Texas.

The IDRA groundbreaking Education Policy Fellows Program is changing the landscape of state education advocacy by training advocates with a commitment to and experience with communities of color to influence state laws and lead a powerful network of impacted communities. The 2024-25 cycle of this program is being generously supported by the Trellis Foundation, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and the Kresge Foundation.

Show length: 28:53 min.

Send comments to podcast@idra.org

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Resources

IDRA 2024-25 Fellows – Bios and writings. Plus profiles brochure

IDRA Education Policy Fellows Program

Policy Whiplash in Georgia – The 2025 Session Delivered Education Gains, Losses and Looming Threats, with Terrence Wilson, J.D., Mikayla Arciaga, M.A.Ed., Isabelle Philip & Makiah Lyons, J.D., IDRA Newsletter, June-July 2025

Legislature Dances the Texas Three-Step: Defund, Demonize, Privatize Public Education, with Vivek Datla, MPA, IDRA Newsletter, June-July 2025

Student Voices on Public Policy, video feature by Trellis Foundation, May 2025

IDRA Education Policy Fellow Feature, video feature by Trellis Foundation, August 2025

Post-fellowship evaluation report of the program’s first cycle

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Show Notes

  • DeAndrea, Vivek, Isabelle and Kaci reflect on their hands-on advocacy during the Georgia and Texas legislative sessions, including bill tracking, coalition-building, and direct engagement with lawmakers.

  • The fellows describe how national rhetoric shaped harmful state-level policies targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion; school discipline; and public school funding, especially in the debate over private school vouchers.

  • Kaci and DeAndrea call out the lack of transparency and accessibility in the policymaking process.

  • Isabelle and Vivek discuss the disconnect between public testimony and legislative outcomes.

  • Each fellow shares a personal highlight from the session, from getting amendments passed and shaping federal policy priorities to supporting student advocates and growing confidence in navigating policy.