TITLE: Honoring the Intercultural Development Research Association and the inaugural cohort of its Education Policy Fellows Program.

SUMMARY: Honoring the Intercultural Development Research Association and the inaugural cohort of its Education Policy Fellows Program.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA) launched its Education Policy Fellows Program in November 2020; and WHEREAS, IDRA is dedicated to promoting equal educational opportunity by strengthening public schools that prepare all students to reach their dreams; and WHEREAS, students of color make up more than 70 percent of the Texas public school population, yet even as the state grows more diverse, advocates of color are often not included in formulating decisions that impact these children; and WHEREAS, the IDRA Education Policy Fellows Program was created to prepare advocates of color to join a network of advocates committed to improving racial equity in education; and WHEREAS, During the 87th Legislative Session, the inaugural cohort of IDRA Education Policy Fellows worked with coalitions, students, and families to craft a community-centered education policy agenda, guided community advocacy sessions, researched and crafted education policies, created and led advocacy campaigns, and published issue briefs; and WHEREAS, The four inaugural policy fellows are Dr. Altheria Caldera, Araceli Garcia, Thomas Marshall III, and Christina Mu oz; and WHEREAS, Dr. Caldera is a scholar, writer and equity activist who began her professional career as a middle school English teacher; and whose fellowship work focused on expanding access to postsecondary education, particularly for students of color, and ensuring successful outcomes; and WHEREAS, Ms. Garcia, the daughter and granddaughter of Mexican immigrants, grew up on the South Side of San Antonio; and concentrated on expanding educational opportunities for emergent bilingual students and immigrant students; and WHEREAS, Mr. Marshall holds a bachelor's degree in English with a minor in youth development studies from Clemson University; and focused on student and family advocacy, including policies to ensure digital equity; and WHEREAS Ms. Mu oz, a Latina, recently received her master's degree in quantitative methods in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin; and worked to promote education policies that ensure an equitable response to COVID-19; and WHEREAS, The outstanding advocates in the fellowship program have gained valuable experience during the 87th Legislative Session, and their connection to communities of color helps ensure that the students most impacted by education policies are central to decision-making; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas Legislature hereby honor the Intercultural Development Research Association and the inaugural cohort of its Education Policy Fellows Program and extend to all those associated with the organization sincere best wishes for continued success in their important endeavors; and, be it further RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared for the organization and the fellows as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Allen Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1744 was adopted by the House on May 29, 2021, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House