IDRA Classnotes

Classnotes Podcast (June 13, 2013) Policies that encourage schools to funnel students into different high school tracks are making resurgence. This, after decades of research and experience showing the detrimental effects of tracking on students and communities. Students who are low-income or minority endure the worst as they are pushed into watered-down curricula that take away their option to choose college after high school. IDRA director of policy, Dr. Albert Cortez gives an overview of what tracking looks like today across the country and how these policies ignore the fact that “higher expectations produce higher results.”

Albert is interviewed by Bradley Scott, Ph.D., director of the IDRA South Central Collaborative for Equity.

Show length: 15:15

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Tracking, Endorsements and Differentiated Diplomas – When ‘Different’ Really is Less

At a time when we most need strength, Texas education is at-risk of being weakened

Student Tracking Policies Weaken Curriculum

Access to Curriculum

Research Overwhelmingly Counsels an End to Tracking

Teaching to Change the World, fourth edition 

We welcome your comments and questions to the podcast. Send an e-mail to [email protected].

To ensure you don’t miss a single episode of IDRA Classnotes, subscribe to the podcast in iTunes, (download iTunes free if you don’t have it) or sign up to receive an e-mail alert as soon as a new show is published.

The post Tracking vs. High Quality Education for All Students – Podcast Episode 124 appeared first on IDRA.

Classnotes Podcast (May 20, 2013) Sylvia Mendez remembers vividly the day in March of 1945 when her family was told she and the other children had to go to the “Mexican school.” Her father knew it wasn’t right. So, along with other families and with the help of LULAC, the Mendez sued four local school districts for segregating their children. Thurgood Marshall co-authored an amicus brief filed by the NAACP. The subsequent 1947 ruling in Mendez vs. Westminster and the California Board of Education ended segregation in California school districts.

In this interview, Sylvia Mendez tells her story and describes how the Mendez case foreshadowed Brown vs. Board of Education less than a decade later. She cautions that schools are more segregated today then in the 1940s. She is interviewed by Kristin Grayson, M.Ed., an IDRA education associate and Bradley Scott, Ph.D., director of the IDRA South Central Collaborative for Equity, provides and introduction.

Show length: 12:25

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Mendez vs. Westminster, A Look At Our Latino Heritage

Sylvia Mendez

IDRA Fulfilling the Promise of Mendez and Brown website

IDRA South Central Collaborative for Equity

We welcome your comments and questions to the podcast. Send an e-mail to [email protected].

To ensure you don’t miss a single episode of IDRA Classnotes, subscribe to the podcast in iTunes, (download iTunes free if you don’t have it) or sign up to receive an e-mail alert as soon as a new show is published.

The post Sylvia Mendez on Civil Rights in the 1940s and Today – Podcast Episode 123 appeared first on IDRA.

Classnotes Podcast (April 15, 2013) In many cases, using one or two apps on the iPad or other tablet is just scratching the surface of possible learning opportunities. Helping teachers envision and think outside the box on available apps is the key to ensuring iPad use is maximized and seamlessly integrated into the diverse classroom. IDRA education associates, Veronica Betancourt, M.A., and Paula Martin Johnson, M.A., continue our series of conversations on seven research-based strategies IDRA has developed for delivering instruction differently for secondary students.

In this episode, Veronica and Paula focus on Strategy #4: Maximize use of technology in delivery of effective science and EL instruction and use Internet resources to supplement and enrich instruction of English learners. They describe how teachers, as instructional leaders, can maximize the capabilities of iPads and other tablets in the classroom as a teacher-tool. Veronica and Paula are interviewed by Bradley Scott, Ph.D., director of the IDRA South Central Collaborative for Equity.

Show length: 14:51

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Science Classroom Strategies for English Learners – iPads and Other Tablets for Teachers

Science Classroom Strategies for English Learners – Learning with the iPad and Other Tablets

Science Instructional Strategies for English Learners ~ A Guide for Elementary and Secondary Grades

Visual Interpretation in Science – Strategies for English Language Learners

IDRA South Central Collaborative for Equity

Science Smart!

21st Century Skills: Rethink How Students Learn

And What Do You Mean by Learning? 

We welcome your comments and questions to the podcast. Send an e-mail to [email protected].

To ensure you don’t miss a single episode of IDRA Classnotes, subscribe to the podcast in iTunes, (download iTunes free if you don’t have it) or sign up to receive an e-mail alert as soon as a new show is published.

The post Teaching with iPads for Diverse Students (Science for English Learners #6) – Podcast Episode 122 appeared first on IDRA.

Classnotes Podcast (March 28, 2013) The demographic profile of students have always been in a state of change. But today, that change is much quicker and more dramatic. Schools must be equipped to adapt to be able to serve their student population while it is changing. This means equipping school leadership at all levels, from central office staff to principals, from administrators to classroom teachers. And where the population change includes English language learners with varied first languages, leaders need a special skill set.

Kristin Grayson, M.Ed., an IDRA education associate, describes technical assistance in leadership development that she has been providing to two school districts in Oklahoma, one of which has more than 60 languages represented. She points out, “English language learners are becoming the mainstream learner,” and educators need the background knowledge to ensure ELLs are successful. Kristin is interviewed by Bradley Scott, Ph.D., director of the IDRA South Central Collaborative for Equity.

Show length: 14:55

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Supporting English Language Learners – A Pocket Guide for State and District Leaders 

Common Core State Standards Initiative

Common Core State Standards Initiative Español

Building Teaching Quality from the Start – New Skills for New Teachers

Teaching Must be Culturally Relevant to be Quality

We welcome your comments and questions to the podcast. Send an e-mail to [email protected].

To ensure you don’t miss a single episode of IDRA Classnotes, subscribe to the podcast in iTunes, (download iTunes free if you don’t have it) or sign up to receive an e-mail alert as soon as a new show is published.

The post Building Levels of Leadership to Support ELL Success – Podcast Episode 121 appeared first on IDRA.

Classnotes Podcast (March 7, 2013) The decision to change careers is a big one. Hundreds of Texans have done just that to become teachers in high-need school districts. IDRA has helped them through accelerated teacher certification projects funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Now in their third year of teaching, Martha Alonso, MBA, and her sister Marlene Alonso, MBA, energetically share their experiences in the classroom and how they are constantly learning in order to provide high-quality instruction to their students.

A fourth grade bilingual teacher, Marlene talks about the bilingual strategies she’s learned to use her students. Martha teaches middle school ESL and talks about the importance of building relationships with students. Martha and Marlene are interviewed by Linda Cantú, Ph.D., an IDRA senior education associate anddirector of IDRA’s federally-funded Transitions to Teaching projects.

Show length: 18:41

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IDRA Transitions to Teaching website

Coaching and Mentoring for Novice Teachers

Building Teaching Quality from the Start – New Skills for New Teachers

IDRA’s Transitions Project: Promoting Excellence in Teaching through a Highly Qualified Teaching Force

Teaching Must be Culturally Relevant to be Quality

We welcome your comments and questions to the podcast. Send an e-mail to [email protected].

To ensure you don’t miss a single episode of IDRA Classnotes, subscribe to the podcast in iTunes, (download iTunes free if you don’t have it) or sign up to receive an e-mail alert as soon as a new show is published.

The post Learning While Teaching (A Conversation with New Teachers) – Podcast Episode 120 appeared first on IDRA.

Classnotes Podcast (February 25, 2013) As students get older and move into middle school and high school, some lose their positive attitude for certain subjects like science. Brain research indicates that emotion shapes cognition which naturally affects learners’ cognitive engagement. But teachers can lower students’ affective filter by valuing students’ perspectives and knowledge of science as they plan and deliver their lessons. Veronica Betancourt, M.A., continues our series of conversations on seven research-based strategies IDRA has developed for delivering instruction differently for secondary students. In this episode, she focuses on Strategy #2: Design asset-based science lessons for culturally and linguistically diverse classrooms. She describes why value-driven lessons are particularly important for English language learners and how to design asset-based science lessons. Veronica is interviewed by Bradley Scott, Ph.D., director of the IDRA South Central Collaborative for Equity.

Show length: 12:42

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Asset-Based Lessons for Linguistically Diverse Classrooms

Science Instructional Strategies for English Learners ~ A Guide for Elementary and Secondary Grades

Visual Interpretation in Science – Strategies for English Language Learners

IDRA South Central Collaborative for Equity

Science Smart! 

Elementary and Secondary Students’ Perceptions Toward Science: Correlations with Gender, Ethnicity, Ability, Grade, and Science Achievement,

We welcome your comments and questions to the podcast. Send an e-mail to [email protected].

To ensure you don’t miss a single episode of IDRA Classnotes, subscribe to the podcast in iTunes, (download iTunes free if you don’t have it) or sign up to receive an e-mail alert as soon as a new show is published.

The post Affective Lessons are Effective Lessons (Science for English Learners) – Podcast Episode 119 appeared first on IDRA.

Classnotes Podcast (February 15, 2013) The promotora model of community outreach evolved in neighborhoods in Mexico and Latin American countries to provide medical treatment often in marginalized communities. Community-based organizations in South Texas adopted the model naturally as women volunteer leaders from the community serve and inspire other women and families to leadership. In this Classnotes podcast episode, Aurelio M. Montemayor, M.Ed., IDRA senior education associate; Frances Guzmán, M.Ed., IDRA education associate; and Hector Bojorquez, IDRA education associate, discuss how schools can use this model for outreach to families. They share examples from PTA Comunitarios in South Texas who have used the promotora model to build family leadership in education to great effect.

Show length: 15:06

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Community Leaders Discuss How PTA Comunitarios Give Voice to Parents in their Children’s Education

Family Leadership in the Field – Lasting Community Leadership in Education

IDRA’s Family Leadership Principles

Promotoras, Wikipedia

We welcome your comments and questions to the podcast. Send an e-mail to [email protected].

To ensure you don’t miss a single episode of IDRA Classnotes, subscribe to the podcast in iTunes, (download iTunes free if you don’t have it) or sign up to receive an e-mail alert as soon as a new show is published.

The post Promotora Model for Family Leadership in Education – Podcast Episode 118 appeared first on IDRA.

Classnotes Podcast (December 11, 2012) In many states across the country, school districts began implementing the Common Core State Standards developed through the work of the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers. With the goal of creating consistent standards for preparing students for college and tomorrow’s workplace, the initiative holds great promise. However, there are some critical elements that have not been addressed sufficiently.

The nation’s network of equity assistance centers are in the process of outlining several civil rights concerns with the Common Core State Standards and their implementation. Bradley Scott, Ph.D., director of the IDRA South Central Collaborative for Equity, gives you a preview of those concerns, including lack of support for English language learners and low performing students. Bradley is interviewed by Aurelio Montemayor, M.Ed., an IDRA senior education associate.

Show length: 14:33.

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Common Core State Standards Initiative

Common Core: Now What? 

Council for Chief State School Officers

National Governors Association

IDRA South Central Collaborative for Equity

Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education

Courage to Connect: A Quality Schools Action Framework 

We welcome your comments and questions to the podcast. Send an e-mail to [email protected].

To ensure you don’t miss a single episode of IDRA Classnotes, subscribe to the podcast in iTunes, (download iTunes free if you don’t have it) or sign up to receive an e-mail alert as soon as a new show is published.

The post A Civil Rights Look at the Common Core – Podcast Episode 117 appeared first on IDRA.

Classnotes Podcast (November 26, 2012) Schools are required to provide instruction in a language that students understand. Parents serve an integral role as children’s first teachers and as they connect with the school to ensure their children are being served appropriately. Bilingual education is designed to teach English to children and give them a chance to use it while they also learn core subjects like math and science. Frances Guzmán, M.Ed., highlights what parents of children learning English need to know about this program. Frances is interviewed by Aurelio Montemayor, M.Ed.

Show length: 15:15.

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Parents As First Teachers – Creating an Enriched Home Learning Environment

Your Child – Learning English (pdf). 

Pláticas en Acción – Bilingual Education

Annual IDRA La Semana del Niño Parent Institute

IDRA’s Family Leadership in Education Center

National Association for Bilingual Education

Texas Association for Bilingual Education

Family Engagement in Early Childhood – IDRA’s New Semillitas de aprendizaje Cartitas Letters Home Series

We welcome your comments and questions to the podcast. Send an e-mail to [email protected].

To ensure you don’t miss a single episode of IDRA Classnotes, subscribe to the podcast in iTunes, (download iTunes free if you don’t have it) or sign up to receive an e-mail alert as soon as a new show is published.

The post What Parents Need to Know about Bilingual Education – Podcast Episode 115 appeared first on IDRA.

Classnotes Podcast (November 5, 2012) IDRA led the bilingual parent institute at the Texas Association for Bilingual Education with a focus on: “Bilingual Ed Paves the Road to College.” Rosie Castro presented the keynote and talked about the value of bilingual education in schools today, how she emphasized to her young sons (San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro and Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro) that they were going to go to college. Ms. Castro directs the Center for Academic Transitions at Palo Alto College in San Antonio. IDRA’s Quality Schools Action Framework emphasizes the role of community and families to strengthening public schools to work for all children. Ms. Castro has a powerful legacy of community advocacy and, during her keynote, gave suggestions for finding partners to help parents support their children’s education.

Show length: 28:19

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Rosie Castro on Parent Engagement – IDRA

IDRA’s Family Leadership in Education Center

Family Engagement in Early Childhood – IDRA’s New Semillitas de aprendizaje Cartitas Letters Home Series

Helping Parents Use Data to Improve Schools – An Interview with Anne Foster, Executive Director, Parents for Public Schools

The Family, School and Community Partnership Equation – Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) Program

Engaging Parents through Powerful Coalition Building – An Interview with Joe Medrano of the START Center in South Texas

Community Leaders Discuss How PTA Comunitarios Give Voice to Parents in their Children’s Education

We welcome your comments and questions to the podcast. Send an e-mail to [email protected].

To ensure you don’t miss a single episode of IDRA Classnotes, subscribe to the podcast in iTunes, (download iTunes free if you don’t have it) or sign up to receive an e-mail alert as soon as a new show is published.

The post Rosie Castro on Parent Engagement – Podcast Episode 115 appeared first on IDRA.