Regional Office of Education expands student mentor program; McKinney‑Vento grant funding uncertain

The Lee County Executive Committee heard July 10 that the Regional Office of Education expanded a student mentor pilot to additional districts and that the McKinney‑Vento federal grant serving homeless students faces distribution uncertainty. Nut graf: Josh, speaking for the Regional Office of Education, said the mentor program piloted at Amboy School District showed reduced discipline, improved attendance and academic performance; it will expand to Rock Falls District 13, Forreston and Mt. Morris districts. He also said the McKinney‑Vento mini grant cycle ends Aug. 31 and funding distribution could change as federal grant administration is examined between state and federal levels. Details: Josh reported the regional office served more than 132 teachers and administrators in June through professional development and has a growing wait list for Illinois high school diploma assistance of more than 20 young people. On vocational education, Josh said the office plans to introduce work‑based learning in August that will let students earn academic credit for workplace learning. McKinney‑Vento note: Josh said the grant currently flows through the regional office for a multi‑county region (including Lee and Whiteside counties among others) but that there is “a lot of uncertainty with this grant because it is a federal grant” and that distribution or administration could shift to individual school districts; the money “is supposed to be there 1 way or the other,” he said, but the office is monitoring changes. Ending: The committee recorded no vote on these program updates; staff will continue program operations and monitor grant administration changes.