November 10, 2021
IDRA's Knowledge is Power is a national resource for educators and advocates to help you do your work for equity and excellence in education in the midst of classroom censorship policies.

In this edition…
  • Podcast interview: Students Want Schools to Teach Inclusive Truth
  • Teacher Survey about Classroom Censorship
  • Invitation: Community Conversation about Equity in Civics Education

See previous editions of Knowledge is Power and related resources online.
Podcast interview:
Students Want Schools to Teach Inclusive Truth
Concerned about the impact of the new classroom censorship bill in Texas, 88 public school students described their experiences with racial discrimination in school. Their stories show why diversity, equity and inclusion training are needed for teachers across Texas public schools and why Texas students need culturally-sustaining schools.

In this podcast episode, we feature two students who spoke at a recent press briefing held by IDRA and the TEACH Coalition. Thomas Marshall III, IDRA policy communications strategist, talks with high school senior, Autumn, and high school junior, Emaan, as they describe their experiences with discrimination and bias. They also discuss how classroom lessons in history and other courses already exclude people of color and other groups. Students’ last names and schools are kept confidential.
Teacher Survey about Classroom Censorship
Educators! Tell us how classroom censorship policies and proposals are affecting your school!
Invitation: Community Conversation about Equity in Civics Education
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm cst
We invite students, parents, teachers, administrators, school board members and members of the broader community to discuss your vision for meaningful civics education and engagement in schools.

Through this guided conversation, participants will decide what real civics education that prepares all students for democracy should look like.

This conversation is part of a series of virtual convenings designed to engage directly impacted stakeholders in defining a collective problem and proposing specific, scalable solutions. 
IDRA is an independent, non-profit organization whose mission is to achieve equal educational opportunity through strong public schools that prepare all students to access and succeed in college.