Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

IDRA @idraedu.bsky.social · 1d

🚨We’ve proud to join Texas Immigration Law Council and partners in filing an amicus brief before the Fifth Circuit to protect the Texas Dream Act.

For nearly 25 years, it’s helped Texas students access higher education and strengthen our state. #txlege

idra.news/DreamActAmic...

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IDRA @idraedu.bsky.social · 7d

It’s #NationalPoetryDay 🌱

Michelle, a 10th grader in IDRA’s Valued Youth Partnership, shares what tutoring taught her:

“Even if I’m having a bad day, I can’t bring that into my kids’ class.
Smile, breathe, focus.”

#VoicesInEducation #StudentVoice #VYP #IDRA

IDRA @idraedu.bsky.social · 22d

"I’m doing this because I know someone is counting on me."
A #YouthLeadershipNow tutor reminded us why we do this work.
At IDRA, we create space for students to lead and be seen.
✨ Let’s keep moments like this going.
🔗 thebiggivesa.org/organizations/…#BigGive20252#WhyIGivev#IDRARA

IDRA @idraedu.bsky.social · Sep 8

📢 Unfortunately, Texas is moving forward with its first statewide private school voucher program, and the proposed rules are flawed and could discriminate against students.

You have until September 20th to submit public comment to the Texas Comptroller’s office!

👉 idra.news/ActionVouche...

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Reposted by IDRA

Chloe Latham Sikes @chloesikes.bsky.social · Aug 28

As I was just prompted to fill out my parental permissions for my son's school so he can get a bandaid and join a club, per Texas #SB12, remember that schools must still support ALL students to succeed and thrive. Here's the @idraedu.bsky.social explainer:

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IDRA @idraedu.bsky.social · Aug 26

🚨 Chaos + confusion is spreading across TX campuses. Some students are being wrongly denied in-state tuition—even though they’re lawfully present.
📚 Students deserve the right to learn.
🗣️ Webinar 8/28 @ 6:00PM CT → mobilize.us/unitedwedream/event/831514

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IDRA @idraedu.bsky.social · Aug 12

We just wrapped up our 4th cycle of IDRA’s Education Policy Fellowship Program. During the fellowship, our Texas fellows–Kaci and Vivek had the chance to chat more about their experience with the program and working in the legislature. #txlege
www.idra.org/education_po...

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IDRA @idraedu.bsky.social · Aug 8

IDRA’s beloved President Emerita Dr. María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel’s funeral mass will be livestreamed tomorrow morning. See times, locations and details below.

Livestream: idra.news/WatchCucaFun...

IDRA @idraedu.bsky.social · Aug 6

Mil gracias, querida Cuca. Rest in peace and power.

Read the full statement here: idra.news/MRMnotice

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IDRA @idraedu.bsky.social · Jul 29

“We think that sending young people to harsh, punitive, carceral environments for any amount of time, but especially an extended period of time, is really harmful to their academic, behavioral, and mental health,” Duggins-Clay said. #txlege
www.tpr.org/education/20...

Reporter's notebook: Texas lawmakers want to keep hemp out of the hands of kids. Educators don’t think it will work.

Education Reporter Camille Phillips wanted to know if a ban on hemp sales to minors could cut down on the number of Texas students punished for vaping. Here's what she found out.

www.tpr.org

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Reposted by IDRA

Our Schools Our Democracy @osodtexas.bsky.social · Jul 28

Happening tomorrow ⬇️

Our Schools Our Democracy @osodtexas.bsky.social · Jul 22

Have you signed up for our upcoming recap webinar yet? Join us on Tuesday July 29th to learn more about changes to Texas charter schools after the 89th Legislative Session and the latest charter school application cycle! Sign up at bit.ly/OSODrecap.

#txed #txlege

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IDRA @idraedu.bsky.social · Jul 28

Our intrepid policy fellows just finished their nine-month-long fellowship! We could not be more thankful to DeAndrea, Isabelle, Kaci, and Vivek for giving us the most incredible time over the past year.

Congrats to our 4th round of fellows!

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IDRA @idraedu.bsky.social · Jul 24

“This isn’t implementation,” Gomez said. “It’s chaos.”
19thnews.org/2025/07/texa...

Texas was first to expand college access for undocumented students. Now it’s leading the rollback.

After 24 years, the Texas Dream Act was dismantled in just six hours. Advocates warn the move could spread nationally — jeopardizing the future of thousands.

19thnews.org

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IDRA @idraedu.bsky.social · Jul 16

"The Supreme Court is allowing the Trump administration to sidestep Congress as it moves toward getting rid of the department, she said in a statement."
www.chalkbeat.org/2025/07/14/u...

Education Department layoffs get green light from U.S. Supreme Court

Education Secretary Linda McMahon has said the layoffs are a first step toward eliminating the department. However, a lawsuit challenging the staff cuts can proceed in the lower courts.

www.chalkbeat.org

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IDRA @idraedu.bsky.social · Jul 16

🔗 Get the full guide & sign up for the July 17 webinar to get updates, ask questions, & learn how to navigate these changes: linktr.ee/TXdreamact

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IDRA @idraedu.bsky.social · Jul 16

📢See how a new court order partially invalidates the TX Dream Act, ending in-state tuition for some students starting Fall 2025.

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Reposted by IDRA

Our Schools Our Democracy @osodtexas.bsky.social · Jul 15

Join Our Schools Our Democracy on Tuesday, July 29th at 6p for a webinar to learn about changes to Texas charter schools after the 89th Legislative Session and the latest charter school application cycle.

🔗 bit.ly/OSODrecap

#txed #txlege

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IDRA @idraedu.bsky.social · Jun 9

Texas Dreamers are Texans and deserve equal educational opportunities. We will not back down to protect Texas Dreamers. #txlege

Full statement: idra.news/TXDreamActBl...

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IDRA @idraedu.bsky.social · Jun 9

“It tugs on a deeper moral fabric of our entire state. It signals we are not valuing these young people as part of our Texas community … that they don’t belong and that this opportunity to seek a higher education is not available to them,” - @chloesikes.bsky.social
www.dallasnews.com/news/educati...

Undocumented students in limbo, questions remain as Texas restricts in-state tuition

Universities, college access advocates and immigrant rights groups are scrambling to figure out what the settlement means and how to follow it, and how much...

www.dallasnews.com

Reposted by IDRA

AFT @aft.org · May 29

Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” includes a tax loophole for billionaires—practically paying them to “donate” to private school tuition for families earning up to $500,000 a year. It increases the deficit & weakens public schools.

Tell your lawmakers: Say NO to school vouchers.
aft.org/NoToVouchers

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IDRA @idraedu.bsky.social · Jun 3

“In this first year where the rules have to be proposed and adopted this first year and we’ll have a new comptroller, I think it’s fair to say we’ll see the governor’s hand in this,” said @chloesikes.bsky.social, deputy director of policy for IDRA. #txlege
www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/art...

Abbott's comptroller pick will shape the rollout of Texas private school voucher

Glenn Hegar is leaving the post, which is in charge of running Texas' new private school voucher program.

www.houstonchronicle.com

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Reposted by IDRA

Texas AFT @texasaft.org · Jun 2

Happy sine die to all who celebrate 🥴 This #TxLege has ended.

Marked safe from the 89th Texas Legislature today. (Mimicking posts you would see on Facebook after a natural disaster.)

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IDRA @idraedu.bsky.social · Jun 3

The #txlege session is over, and certain lawmakers spent the past five months doing what we call the Texas three-step: defunding our public schools, demonizing what students can learn, & diverting money to private school vouchers.

Read our wrap-up: idra.news/TxLegeWrapUp25

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IDRA @idraedu.bsky.social · May 28

🚨 Final week of the #TxLege session — major education bills are moving fast.
Lawmakers are deciding the future of school funding, student discipline, classroom censorship & more.
Stay informed. Take action.🛑✏️📚
🔗Full update: idra.news/Tx25PolicyUp...

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