IDRA Newsletter 2025
Published 10 times a year, the IDRA Newsletter provides resources and insight for strengthening and transforming public education to serve students from communities that have historically been underserved, like Black and Latino students and students from families with limited means. We publish our newsletter in print and online with highlights in our eNews
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Below are articles published in 2025. To find a particular article or subject this year, see the index below or use the search bar above, which covers all years.
Texas Public Schools See Historic Improvement in Student Retention – Highlights from IDRA’s 39th Annual Texas Public School Attrition Study
Dec 17, 2025• By Christina Quintanilla-Muñoz, Ph.D., & Joanna Sánchez, Ph.D. • IDRA Newsletter • November-December 2025 • Key takeaways Texas public … read more
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IDRA Releases Model Policy to Strengthen College Counseling – New Model Policy on Culturally-Sustaining School Counseling Aims to Reduce Gaps in College Access
Dec 17, 2025• By Terrence Wilson, J.D. • IDRA Newsletter • November-December 2025 • Key takeaways IDRA released a culturally-sustaining school counseling … read more
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College Diversity Policy Changes Compound Longstanding Barriers to College and Present New Ones
Dec 17, 2025• By Chloe Latham Sikes, Ph.D. • IDRA Newsletter • November-December 2025 • Key takeaways College diversity policy changes in … read more
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Texas Pride and a Model Worth Celebrating – The Power of Wall-to-Wall Early College High Schools
Dec 17, 2025• By Hector Bojorquez & Bobbie Sue Gonzalez, Ed.D. • IDRA Newsletter • November-December 2025 • Key takeaways PSJA ISD’s … read more
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IDRA Newsletter 2025 Index
Dec 17, 2025November-December Issue of the IDRA Newsletter – Focus: Pathways to College See PDF of this issue See eNews highlights Articles … read more
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Externships as a Professional Development Model for STEM Education
Oct 10, 2025•By Stephanie García, Ph.D. • IDRA Newsletter • October 2025 • Key takeaways IDRA externships connect educators with STEM industry … read more
Read More“I don’t know how to use a mouse” – Teen Researchers Study Community Technology Needs and Do Something About It
Oct 10, 2025• By Aurelio M. Montemayor, M.Ed., Lourdes Flores & Michelle Martínez Vega • IDRA Newsletter • October 2025 • Key takeaways … read more
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IDRA Youth TechXperts Launches Student-Centered Experiential STEM Learning
Oct 10, 2025• By Michelle Martínez Vega • IDRA Newsletter • October 2025 • Key takeaways IDRA launches Youth TechXperts at two … read more
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Students Face Confusion and College Dead-Ends After Sudden Blockage of the Texas Dream Act
Sep 25, 2025• By Julieta Garibay • IDRA Newsletter • September 2025 • Key takeaways Texas Dream Act struck down, ending in-state … read more
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Breakthrough for Students – Texas State Board Approves Standards for New Bilingual Special Education Teacher Certificate
Sep 25, 2025• By Lizdelia Piñón, Ed.D. • IDRA Newsletter • September 2025 • Key takeaways Texas approved standards for a new … read more
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Celebrating Aurelio Montemayor’s 50 Years with IDRA
Sep 18, 2025• IDRA Newsletter • September 2025 • This month marks Aurelio Manuel Montemayor’s 50th anniversary with IDRA! During that time, Aurelio, … read more
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Corazón – A Poem for María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel
Aug 19, 2025• by Laurie Posner, MPA, • IDRA Newsletter • January 2019 • On the occasion of Dr. Robledo Montecel’s retirement, … read more
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Honoring Dr. María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel
Aug 19, 2025• By Celina Moreno, J.D. • IDRA Newsletter • August 2025 • I share the news of the passing of … read more
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A Woman of Inspiring Leadership and Enduring Legacy
Aug 19, 2025• By Celina Moreno, J.D. • IDRA Newsletter • August 2025 • Dr. María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel was a true … read more
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In Her Words – The Quotable Dr. María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel
Aug 19, 2025• By Celina Moreno, J.D. • IDRA Newsletter • August 2025 • “Strong public schools are not only possible; they … read more
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La Lucha, With a Smile
Aug 19, 2025• By Dr. Carmen Tafolla, State Poet Laureate of Texas in 2015 • IDRA Newsletter • August 2025 • Read … read more
Read MoreCoalitions Represent Communities Across the U.S. South
Jun 30, 2025Texas Legislative Education Equity Coalition The Texas Legislative Education Equity Coalition (TLEEC) is a collaborative of more than 38 organizations … read more
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Civic Changemakers – Students and Advocates Join Forces at the Georgia Capitol
Jun 30, 2025• By Isabelle Philip • IDRA Newsletter • June – July 2025 • Students are natural experts on education policy, … read more
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Policy Whiplash in Georgia – The 2025 Session Delivered Education Gains, Losses and Looming Threats
Jun 30, 2025• By Terrence Wilson, J.D., Mikayla Arciaga, M.A.Ed., DeAndrea Byrd, Isabelle Philip & Makiah Lyons, J.D. • IDRA Newsletter • … read more
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Legislature Dances the Texas Three-Step: Defund, Demonize, Privatize Public Education
Jun 30, 2025• by Kaci Wright, M.Ed., & Vivek Datla, MPA • IDRA Newsletter • June – July 2025 • The 2025 … read more
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