On the Road Again
One of the things I love about my job is the chance to travel around the state and meet Texans committed to helping other Texans reach their full potential. Last
March 28, 2016
Coda Rayo-Garza, Senior Director of Research & Data
Coda Rayo-Garza, PhD, serves as the Senior Director of Research and Data at Every Texan. A fronteriza born and raised in Laredo, Texas, Coda is a daughter of immigrants and a first-generation college graduate. Her diverse career spans the nonprofit and government sectors, including previous work as a Lecturer of Political Science.
Coda earned her B.A. in Philosophy from Texas State University, followed by an M.A. in Political Science and a PhD in Applied Demography from the University of Texas at San Antonio. In addition to her research, she is a co-founder of Fiesta Wishes and serves on the Board of Directors for CommuniCare Health Centers. She is also the co-author of Latinos in the US: Diversity and Change (2nd Edition), published by Polity Press.
Where to find me during session: Crunching numbers and defending survey data
My surprising hobby: I play the drums
Coda's Recent Work
Talking about Race and Equity in Austin
“There isn’t a silver bullet to fix everything. The state alone can’t fix it. The community alone can’t fix it. But, if they come together and each takes their part,
February 25, 2016
New Features in the KIDS COUNT Data Center
The KIDS COUNT Data Center from the Annie E. Casey Foundation has useful data on Texas children and their families, and the Data Center recently rolled out a new feature.
February 15, 2016
CHIP More Kid-Friendly than Marketplace
In November, the U.S. Health and Human Service (HHS) released a report comparing plan benefits and cost-sharing under the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to benefits and cost-sharing in plans
January 13, 2016
Now is the Time
Speaking on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Now is the time to open the doors of opportunity to all of God’s
January 12, 2016
Texans at Risk of Poverty
Texas remains a tough place for many children and their families. Although the poverty rate in Texas and nationwide slightly decreased, Texas ranks 38th in the country for its high
November 9, 2015
Community Eligibility Provision Feeds One Million Kids Daily
The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) means that over 1 million Texas public school students now receive free breakfast and lunch each day. This new tool makes school meal signups easier
October 22, 2015
Food Insecurity in Texas Improving but Still High
When we think of lists Texas rates high on, the hunger list isn’t one that usually comes to mind. And yet, according to the recently released United States Department of
September 16, 2015
Preparing Texas Millennials for the Future
While we celebrated Labor Day with a family cookout or one last summer trip, let’s remember that this holiday embodies the idea that hard-working Americans make our economy stronger and
September 8, 2015
Ready for a School Finance Solution
The right to a free public education is enshrined in Texas’ constitution to “promote the general diffusion of knowledge,” which is “essential to the preservation of the liberties and rights
August 31, 2015