Illinois will attempt to quantify the level of adversity faced by children in communities across the state under a measure Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law Thursday that aims to improve the way schools address student trauma.

With no centralized data, there's no way to definitively know how many families are homeschooling in Illinois. Anecdotally, Bloomington-Normal homeschool advocates say the numbers are up after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Robin Steans, president of Advance Illinois, and Brian Minsker, legislative advocacy director at Illinois PTA write that despite 92% of Illinois elementary or unit districts offering full-day programs, some families are still unable to access this invaluable opportunity for their children. Kindergarten is a pivotal year for young children and families and as the state considers embracing Smart Start Illinois, we have a responsibility to ensure every student has the opportunity to gain the benefits of a full day of kindergarten — that we give our youngest learners the strongest possible bridge into their school years.

Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightfoot, D-Maywood, is leading the charge among Democrats pushing the Illinois State Board of Education to create a children's adversity index to measure the exposure to trauma being experienced by students.

Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood) wants the Illinois State Board of Education to create a children's adversity index to properly measure the exposure to trauma. This index would document childhood trauma for children ranging from three to 18 years old by May 31, 2025.