--------- April 2017 ---------
At every level - from policy to practice - people need clear, accurate and timely information to assess what is needed to strengthen public schooling.
IDRA's empirically-based Quality Schools Action Framework outlines indispensable levers of change that depend on the production and use of actionable knowledge. Today, IDRA is launching our new Actionable Knowledge for Equity bulletin for those who are engaged in education from state capitols to board rooms, from classrooms to community centers and kitchen tables in order to bring about equitable education for every child in our public schools across the country.
Bullying and Harassment 
Muslim Students are Bullied at Twice the Rate of Other Faith Groups
A new survey by the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) indicates that Muslim students are more likely to experience bullying because of their faith than are other children. More than one in five Muslim youth face bullying compared to about one in 10 Jewish and Protestant students.

Muslim Students are Most Likely to Face Bullying


Other Resources
Actionable Data 
New Penny Power Tool
How strong is your local penny of tax for schools compared to your neighbors across Texas?

As the State of Texas continues to decrease its support of public schools (the State now only covers about 38 percent of the cost), it's important for communities to know how much bang they are getting for their buck from Texas's school finance system.
 
IDRA's Penny Power shows how much revenue your school district generates for each average penny of tax set by local taxpayers, and rank orders 1,018 school districts across Texas.

Quality Teaching 
31 States Reported Not Having Enough Teachers for ELL Students in 2016
NPR has pulled together data about English language learners across the country as part of its reporting project, 5 Million Voices - named for the 5 million ELLs in U.S. public schools. You can see graphics for each state showing the prevalence of primary languages, the share of ELLs and their graduation rates, teacher shortages and percentages of ELLs in gifted programs. 


School Leadership 

School Districts Pass Resolutions on Responding to ICE 
School districts across the country are issuing resolutions and updating policies to protect students' rights in light of uncertainty regarding federal immigration enforcement activities in their schools. Many of these statements affirm the districts' mission to ensure all students have a safe and positive learning environment, and they outline guidance to school personnel on how to respond to requests from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents for data or access to their campus.

School leaders are actively affirming the welcoming environment they intend to maintain along with spelling out their non-discrimination policies, procedures for collecting student information, commitment to the communities they serve, and measures for communicating with students' families. Some of the resolutions set up timelines for training of school staff, including teachers and campus police.

Below are links to some such statements. If your district of campus is considering issuing a resolution of its own, these samples can be a useful reference.

*  Resolution Designating the School Board of Broward County, Florida, as an Inclusive, Safe and Welcoming District Ensuring a Protected Space and Environment for All Students Regardless of Immigration Status, Religion or Country of Origin to Learn and Thrive 


* Indianapolis Public Schools Resolution Reaffirming the Commitment to Creating a Safe and Supportive Learning Environment for All Students Regardless of Immigration Status, February 23, 2017   (also in Spanish)
 



Other Resources




* ICE Policy Memo: Enforcement Actions at or Focused on Sensitive Locations - "designed to ensure that these enforcement actions do not occur at nor are focused on sensitive locations such as schools and churches" unless certain circumstances exist. This 2011 memo was recirculated in August 2016 by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the current DHS Secretary stated recently that it is still active.

IDRA EAC- South
IDRA EAC_South
The IDRA EAC- South  is one of four regional equity assistance centers funded by the U.S. Department of Education to provide technical assistance and training to school districts and other local education agencies. The IDRA EAC- South  serves Washington, D.C., and 11 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. If you would like to inquire about the availability of services for your school or school district, please send an email to eacsouth@idra.org or call IDRA at 210-444-1710.
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.

We are committed to the IDRA valuing philosophy, respecting the knowledge and skills of the individuals we work with and build on the strengths of the students and parents in their schools.