IL HR0258

Expresses support for appropriating $3.5 million through an Illinois State Board of Education grant to the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights for the Parent Mentor Program for Early Childhood Education.

Recognizes 420 parent mentors, mostly immigrant and African American women, working 2 hours daily in early childhood classrooms across 13 Illinois communities.

Cites research confirming family involvement in education improves student performance, attendance, homework completion, graduation rates, and higher education enrollment.

Notes the program has reduced adult-student ratios by half and provides individual attention to over 10,000 low-income early childhood students daily, particularly English language learners, at a cost of approximately $200 per student.

References the program's 18-year track record of improving test scores and graduation rates, and its role as an immigrant integration and women's leadership model offering educational and career opportunities.