IDRA

06/10/2026

Today, IDRA released its 40th annual Texas high school attrition study.

The 2024-25 statewide attrition rate jumped to 21%, the largest increase in four decades. Texas is failing to graduate one in five students.

Explore the study and resources:

📘 Annoucement:
https://idra.news/AttritionStudyNews

📊 Report and resources:
https://idra.news/AttritionStudy

🗺️ 10-year county dashboard:
https://idra.news/Txlook

📎 “6 Policies and Practices that Lead to Higher Dropout Rates”:
[https://idra.news/6Policies](https://idra.news/6Policies?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

The standard is 100% graduation.

06/10/2026

Teachers see it every day.
Confidence grows.
Skills build.
Students lead.

https://www.idra.org/services/idra-youth-techxperts/

06/09/2026

Students benefit from hearing real college experiences.

IDRA’s Setting Up an Alumni Panelist Program checklist is part of Toolkit 1: How to Build Student-to-Student Networks in the Community-Based College Access Toolkit.

It helps schools bring alumni back to share practical advice about the transition to college.

Free and available in English and Spanish
🔗 https://idra.news/CollegeAccessToolkit

06/09/2026

⭐ Andrea Pedraza-Villasenor, Honorable Mention – 2026 IDRA VisionCoders Reflection Contest

Andrea shares how VisionCoders helped her gain confidence, strengthen her communication skills and see exciting new pathways in technology and coding careers. Her reflection shows how learning to code can open doors to future opportunities.

Read Andrea's full reflection and meet the other student winners: idra.news/VisionCodersReflectionsNews

06/08/2026

Looking for college tips? Watch real students share their experiences!

Check out IDRA’s YouTube playlist featuring student-created videos offering advice on college transitions.

Real stories, real advice... helping high school students prepare for what’s next.

📺 Watch now:

This curated video playlist for high school juniors and seniors offers tips, tricks and more information about the college transition. The short videos featu...

06/08/2026

Students already have a voice. They need the language to use it.

IDRA’s Student Self-Advocacy Card Pack helps students understand themselves and speak up clearly and confidently.

Part of Toolkit 2: How to Encourage Student Leadership for Transitions to College in the Community-Based College Access – Online Technical Assistance Toolkit.

Free and available in English and Spanish (digital + printable)
🔗 https://idra.news/CollegeAccessToolkit

06/08/2026

What happens when students lose access to the support systems that help them get to college?

In this interview, IDRA’s Chloe Latham Sikes, Ph.D., discusses new research on how recent policy changes are impacting college access pathways for Texas students and families. From the importance of representation to the need for stronger parent and student networks, this conversation highlights what students need to succeed and why those supports matter.

🎥 Watch the full interview and learn more about the barriers students are facing and the solutions communities are building together.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2KAPBOh6GQ

A new report by the Intercultural Development Research Association shows how getting rid of DEI programs has made college access more difficult for some stud...

06/08/2026

What would it take to build a South where every student can thrive?

In our new article, A New Southern Strategy: Building a Policy Agenda to Improve Southern Education, IDRA's Morgan Craven, Makiah Lyons, & Terrence Wilson examine the long history of Black-led policy agendas and make the case for a bold, visionary agenda for Southern education today.

Join The African American Network - TAAN on Friday, June 19, 2026, for a discussion on the new article and from other speakers on how we can use research to inform policies and practices that support students, schools, and communities.

06/07/2026

🥈 Danna Rico Granados, Second Place – 2026 IDRA VisionCoders Reflection Contest

In her reflection contest entry, Danna shares how VisionCoders helped her build confidence, embrace challenges and see herself as someone who can succeed in STEM. Her story is a powerful reminder of what happens when students are given opportunities to create and lead.

Read Danna's full reflection and meet the other student winners: idra.news/VisionCodersReflectionsNews

06/07/2026

🥇 Diony Ahumada, First Place – 2026 IDRA Youth TechXperts Reflection Contest

Diony never expected helping others with technology would change how he saw himself. Through Youth TechXperts, he developed technical skills, responsibility and pride in serving his school community, while discovering an interest in STEM careers.

Read Diony's winning reflection and meet the other student winners: https://idra.news/YouthTechXpertsReflections2026