IDRA Newsletter
August 2026 Edition of the IDRA Newsletter – Focus: Bringing Community into Schools
Articles
A Vision for Education in 2025 and Beyond (Excerpt) Educational Opportunities in a Changing Federal Landscape, by Morgan Craven, J.D., IDRA
Meeting the Moment – Movement Lawyering for Education Justice, by Paige Duggins-Clay, J.D., Makiah Lyons, J.D., & Tionna Ryan, J.D.
A Vision for Education Justice in the South, by Thomas Marshall III, M.Ed.
Start Earlier, Keep It Real – What Grandparents Say Students Need from Schools to Reach College, by Aurelio M. Montemayor, M.Ed.
Extras
Community-based College Access – Online Technical Assistance Toolkit, Informed by focus groups and roundtable conversations with students, families and school counselors, our new bilingual toolkits provide practical tools schools can use now to help students transition to college.
IDRA Model Policy – Identity-based Bullying
School Counselors on College Advising Constraints – A Ready Texas Study, by Hector Bojorquez, IDRA
Staying on Course When Schools Steer Clear: A Community-Based Study on the Impacts of Texas’ Diversity Policy Change on High School Students and Tools to Expand their College Pathways, by Chloe Latham Sikes, Ph.D., IDRA
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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Because VYP Believed in Me, I Started to Believe in Myself – Former IDRA Valued Youth Partnership Student Reflects
May 30, 2025By Michelle Ramos • IDRA Newsletter • May 2025 • Editor’s Note: In April, IDRA celebrated the 40th anniversary of … read more
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Tribute to Dr. Joe Bernal: How Bilingual Education Came to Texas – Behind the Scenes
May 30, 2025• By Christie L. Goodman, APR, Fellow PRSA • IDRA Newsletter • May 2025 • The recent passing of Joseph … read more
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Valuable from the Start – IDRA Valued Youth Partnership Reaches 40-year Milestone
May 30, 2025• By Christie L. Goodman, APR, Fellow PRSA • IDRA Newsletter • May 2025 • Successful students naturally get accolades. … read more
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Georgia’s Education Budget Funds Vouchers First, Mental Health and Poverty Support Second
May 08, 2025• By Mikayla Arciaga, M.A.Ed. May 8, 2025 • Education funding was at the forefront of conversations about schools this … read more
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Partners Pushed Against Key Bills Affecting Education and Youth
May 08, 2025• By Isabelle Philip May 8, 2025 • There were many bills moving this past legislative session in Georgia affecting … read more
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IDRA Equipped Georgia Advocates to Defend Public Education
May 08, 2025• By DeAndrea Byrd & Isabelle Philip • May 7, 2025 • Here is a run-down of IDRA’s work during … read more
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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Ban Defeated in Georgia – For Now
May 07, 2025• By Isabelle Philip • May 7, 2025 • Georgians have been faced with legislation that threatens teaching truth and … read more
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Georgia Charter Legislation Passes, Voucher Expansion Stalls
May 07, 2025• By Mikayla Arciaga, M.A.Ed. May 7, 2025 • Education funding was at the forefront of conversations about schools this … read more
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Long Debate on School Safety and Discipline Results in Mixed Bag Legislation
May 07, 2025• By Terrence Wilson, J.D.• May 7, 2025 • In response to the tragic shooting at Apalachee High School in … read more
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The Ever-Present History of Violence in U.S. Schools – How State-Sanctioned Cruelty Persists through School Corporal Punishment Policies
Apr 29, 2025• By Morgan Craven, J.D. & Kaci Wright • IDRA Newsletter • April 2025 • On April 30, we observed … read more
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On the State of Integration and Our Common Humanity
Apr 29, 2025• By Paige Duggins-Clay, J.D. • IDRA Newsletter • April 2025 • Editor’s Note: In February 2025, the National Coalition … read more
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Developing the Joy of STEM through Student and Teacher Experiences
Apr 29, 2025• By Jeff Wheatcraft, Asaiah Puente, Ed.D., CNP, & Stephanie Garcia, Ph.D. • IDRA Newsletter • April 2025 • As … read more
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High School Student Tells Lawmakers: Georgia Bill “Erases Our Stories and Our Truths”
Apr 29, 2025Editor’s note: In February, Laila Errold participated in IDRA’s advocacy training and shadowing event at the Georgia capitol. As she … read more
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What 2024 NAEP Scores Tell Us About Student Progress
Mar 26, 2025National Scores Suggest Need for Targeted Investments to Ensure All Students Succeed • By Morgan Craven, J.D. & Chloe Latham … read more
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