PARENT MENTOR PROGRAM:
BY THE NUMBERS
In the 2025-2026 school year:
45 community-based organizations
implemented the Parent Mentor Program with support from the Parent Engagement Institute.
292 schools and 42 school districts
were part of the Parent Mentor Program.
2,106 Parent Mentors
volunteered in classrooms and participated in professional development.
1,765 teachers
were matched with a Parent Mentor for additional classroom support.
40,260 students
were served by the Parent Mentor Program.
On average, Parent Mentor schools have:
82%
low-income students
The Parent Mentor Program is rooted in
34%
or
1 out of 3
of all Illinois elementary schools with at least 80% low-income student population.
External evaluation
We regularly partner with external evaluators to review program implementation and effectiveness. Read and download our most recent as well as past reports here:
2025-26 evaluation
I. Introduction
II. Evaluation Research Design
III. Findings from the Coordinator/Organizer Reflection Form
IV. Findings from the Principal Reflection Form
V. Findings from the Teacher Reflection Form
VI. Findings from the Parent Mentor Reflection Form
VII. Conclusion
VIII. References
APPENDICES
I. Coordinator/Organizer End of the Year Reflection Form
II. Principal End of the Year Reflection Form
III. Teacher End of the Year Reflection Form
IV. Parent Mentor End of the Year Reflection Form
V. Coordinator/Organizer Qualitative Reflection Form Responses
VI. Principal Qualitative Reflection Form Responses
VII. Teacher Qualitative Reflection Form Responses
VIII. Parent Mentor Qualitative Reflection Form Responses
“Total consensus that the Parent Mentor Program has been invaluable in preparing [parents] for the moment and in providing a steady lifeline for ongoing contact and support during this period…and it was clear that they were seen as leaders and resource brokers in the community.”