IDRA Classnotes

Classnotes Podcast (February 12, 2019). Most schools express within their vision that “all children will learn.” Yet, the pathway to make this vision come to fruition is filled with more obstacles fo…

Classnotes Podcast (January 15, 2019). Most parents and caregivers would agree that all students should be provided with the same opportunity to learn, grow and succeed at school. As adults and leade…

Classnotes Podcast (December 20, 2018) Schools across the country are learning from experience what research is showing that zero tolerance discipline policies are pushing students away. The East Cen…

Classnotes Podcast (November 27, 2018) Communities and schools across the country are becoming more segregated across racial, ethnic and class lines. But many educators and advocates are looking for …

Classnotes Podcast (October 25, 2018) There may forever be a tension between what teenagers want to wear to school and what school officials deem is appropriate. School dress codes may serve a purpo…

Classnotes Podcast (September 19, 2018) IDRA’s Education CAFE model takes parent involvement to a whole new level. Rather than limiting parents to be audience members or school volunteers, Education …

Classnotes Podcast (August 16, 2018). Schools must be safe places for all children. LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning) students face particular challenges in our c…

Classnotes Podcast (June 4, 2018) Conversations about institutional discrimination usually take place at the macro, big-picture level. And those are important conversations about policies and practic…

Classnotes Podcast (May 11, 2018) Schools have long used the practice of holding students back to repeat a grade for such problems as failing grades and excessive absences. Such in-grade retention pr…

Classnotes Podcast (April 11, 2018) Refugee children are a specific group of immigrant children, many of whom have experienced some kind of trauma. Since 2005, three quarters of a million refugees ha…

Classnotes Podcast (March 7, 2018) School leaders around the country are seeing the dramatic impact that the concept of a growth mindset can have with students and staff. Researcher and psychologist …

Classnotes Podcast (February 13, 2018) Recognizing the negative effects of exclusionary discipline, schools are testing ways of reforming discipline to create a positive climate in schools, which als…

Classnotes Podcast (January 23, 2018) In 2013, Texas lowered graduation requirements for math, science and social studies and created a new requirement for career readiness called “endorsements.” The…

Classnotes Podcast (December 11, 2017) School improvement begins with the school’s leadership. Effective, informed, committed principals who mentor and support teachers can build their capacity to e…

Classnotes Podcast (September 29, 2017) Some students face hurdles that end up steering them away from college. Some face barriers that block their access altogether. But today’s school leaders can c…

Classnotes Podcast (September 8, 2017) IDRA has launched the next generation of its model for family and community engagement. Originally called a “Comunitario,” an Education CAFE is a parent group t…

Classnotes Podcast (August 3, 2017) With the quickly-changing dynamics across our communities, teachers often are facing the challenge of incorporating multicultural education without proper preparat…

Classnotes Podcast (May 30, 2017) There is no doubt that diverse classrooms have significant benefits for students both socially and academically, while segregated learning settings are not just beni…

Classnotes Podcast (April 13, 2017) Project based learning is not new. But more and more schools are seeing its benefits in changing the culture of instruction, increasing test scores and increasing …

Classnotes Podcast (February 21, 2017) Most teacher preparation programs fall short in equipping teachers to use culturally responsive practices with their diverse students as they enter the professi…