IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION honoring the Kansas City Public Schools Mentoring Program in recognition of National Mentoring Month.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 22155, February 2, 2026
INTRODUCED BY Donna Peyton, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, in 2017, under the leadership of Dr. Derald Davis, now Deputy Superintendent of Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS), a significant mentoring gap was identified among students across the district; and,
WHEREAS, recognizing that one in three young people nationwide grow up without a mentor, KCPS issued a call to action that led to the establishment of the KCPS Mentoring Program, designed to ensure that every student has access to a caring, consistent adult role model; and,
WHEREAS, since its inception, the KCPS Mentoring Program has made a measurable and transformative impact on student outcomes, including:
? Mentees being less likely to miss a day of school;
? Participants reading on or above grade level at higher rates;
? Mentees in high schools have higher grade point averages;
? Participants being more likely to engage in sports or extracurricular activities;
? Mentees being more likely to graduate from high school within four years;
? Mentees being more likely to enroll in college; and
? Mentees demonstrating stronger personal identity, confidence, and self-worth; and,
WHEREAS, the KCPS Mentoring Program reflects the district's mission of upholding the promise of an equitable educational experience so Kansas City students thrive socially, emotionally, and academically; and,
WHEREAS, KCPS affirms that relationships matter, and that connecting students with caring mentors provides the social and emotional foundation necessary for academic excellence, personal growth, and expanded opportunity; and,
WHEREAS, the program embodies the belief that schools cannot do it alone, and that community partnerships are essential to ensuring every student has the support needed to dream b...
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