Resource Center

Speeches and Testimony

The Intercultural Development Research Association is an independent, non-profit organization. Our mission is to achieve equal educational opportunity for every child through strong public schools that prepare all students to access and succeed in college. IDRA strengthens and transforms public education by providing dynamic training; useful research, evaluation, and frameworks for action; timely policy analyses; and innovative materials and programs. See IDRA’s latest annual report, Keeping the Promise – Putting Children First (or view the pdf).

IDRA’s President & CEO is Celina Moreno, J.D.See her bio

Morgan Craven, J.D., is IDRA’s National Director of PolicySee her bio.

Also see recent media coverage here.

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Media contact: Christie L. Goodman, APR, christie.goodman@idra.org or 210-444-1710, ext. 1705

Listening Session on Federal Relief – The Next Steps for our Children, Teachers and Parents in Uvalde

Sep 26, 2022

Testimony by Morgan Craven, J.D., IDRA National Director of Policy, Advocacy, and Community Engagement Presented before the U.S. Congressional Children’s … read more

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Congressional Children’s Caucus Listening Session in Uvalde Livestream

Sep 26, 2022

This hearing was held in Uvalde, Texas, by the U.S. Congressional Children’s Caucus on September 26, 2022. Read the testimony … read more

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Books Empower Us to Radically Hope

Mar 12, 2022

• Michelle Castillo, Ed.M. • March 12, 2022 • Remarks at March for Education on the Texas Capitol Note: Students … read more

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Coalition Against Texas HB3979 Virtual Press Conference

May 19, 2021

The coalition against #HB3979 held a virtual press conference featuring students, teachers, educators and superintendents who oppose HB 3979 (Texas … read more

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Joint Testimony by the Educational Justice Coalition: Response to Public Interim Charge 1(f) to the Texas House Public Education Committee

Sep 30, 2020

Response to Public Interim Charge 1(f) Texas House Public Education Committee   Submitted by Alycia Castillo, Texas Criminal Justice Coalition … read more

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Recommendations for Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Science

Sep 30, 2020

IDRA Submits Letter to Members of the Texas State Board of Education See letter PDF IDRA (Intercultural Development Research Association) … read more

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Civil Rights Groups Urge California Voters to Reinstate Affirmative Action in Higher Ed

Sep 29, 2020

National Organization Joint Statement Endorsing California Proposition 16 September 29, 2020 See PDF version On behalf of The Leadership Conference … read more

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Students Need Positive, Safe School Climates

Sep 29, 2020

Texas Legislature Should Change Hardening Measures in SB 11 IDRA Testimony on Interim Charge 1F: SB 11 Implementation and Rulemaking … read more

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Accountability Interventions that Harm School Communities Need to be Revisited

Sep 29, 2020

House Public Education Committee Should Promote Community-Based Approaches IDRA Testimony on Interim Charge 1B: Monitoring Implementation of HB 22 and … read more

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Texas Must Maintain Equity and Fully Fund Schools in HB 3 Implementation – Interim Charge 2

Sep 29, 2020

IDRA Testimony on Interim Charge 2: Evaluate Ongoing Costs Associated with Implementation of HB 3 (86, R) Submitted by Dr. … read more

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Texas Must Uphold Maintenance of Equity in HB 3 Implementation

Sep 29, 2020

IDRA Testimony on Interim Charge 1A: Monitor implementation of HB 3(86, R) Submitted by Dr. Chloe Latham Sikes before House … read more

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State Board of Education Should Vote Against All New Charter Proposals

Sep 10, 2020

IDRA Testimony on Item 1: Consideration of the Commissioner of Education’s Generation 25 Open-Enrollment Charter School Proposals, Presented by Dr. … read more

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Joint Testimony: Teaching Quality, Texas House Higher Education Committee Interim Charge #3 (Questions 1-3)

Sep 01, 2020

September 1, 2020 See PDF version To: Chairman Chris Turner CC: Rep. Lynn Stucky, Rep. Lorraine Birabil, Rep. Angie Chen … read more

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Joint Testimony by the Texas Postsecondary Advocates Coalition (PAC): Texas Interim Charge 4, Questions 1, 4, 6: Digital Divide

Sep 01, 2020

September 1, 2020 See PDF version Dear Chair Turner and House Higher Education Committee Members, We write to you as … read more

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Testimony on Texas Senate Bill 11 Interim Monitoring and Implementation Regarding Threat Assessments, School Safety and Discipline

Mar 18, 2020

Testimony of IDRA Presented on March 18, 2020 See PDF version Chairman Taylor and Senate Education Committee members, thank you … read more

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Letter Regarding Proposed Changes to Civil Rights Data Collection

Nov 19, 2019

IDRA submitted the following recommendations to the U.S. Department of Education regarding proposed changes to the mandatory Civil Rights Data … read more

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African American Studies Course Will Have a Significant and Positive Impact on Students Across Texas – Testimony

Nov 13, 2019

Testimony of IDRA – Presented by Morgan Craven, J.D., IDRA National Director of Policy, Advocacy and Community Engagement before the … read more

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Use Effective Discipline, Not Zero Tolerance – IDRA Testimony Against SB2432

Apr 30, 2019

Testimony of IDRA presented for the House Education Committee against SB 2432 allowing mandatory removal of a public school student … read more

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Keep Spending Guidelines for Bilingual and Comp Ed Funding

Apr 25, 2019

Testimony of IDRA presented for the Senate Public Education Committee on SB4’s proposed elimination of spending guidelines  Morgan Craven, J.D., … read more

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Clearly Define the Role of Law Enforcement in Schools IDRA Testimony on SB1707

Mar 26, 2019

Officers Should Not Be Called on to Handle School Disciplinary Matters Testimony of IDRA presented for the Senate Education Committee … read more

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