PRLF Celebration Day Highlights Student Research Advancing Public Policy in Illinois

Researching Literacy Challenges Across Illinois School Districts

Doctoral student Bhakti Verma, from the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, presented her research virtually from India. In collaboration with State Representative Brandun Schweizer, Verma examined literacy practices and literacy plan implementation across elementary schools within Illinois’ 104th District.

Her project explored how schools are implementing literacy plans and what challenges educators continue to face in supporting reading proficiency across districts.

Key findings from the project included:

• Many teachers and staff reported limited familiarity with the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan (ICLP)
• Schools faced challenges related to staffing shortages, funding, and access to literacy-focused professional development
• Teachers and administrators identified the need for stronger collaboration and clearer implementation support
• Respondents emphasized the importance of educator voices in shaping literacy policy and practice

Verma’s recommendations focused on increasing professional development opportunities, improving access to literacy resources, and creating more opportunities for educators to participate in policy conversations.

Exploring Equity and Opportunity Through Hair Braiding Licensure Research

Anna Barkley, a doctoral student in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership, partnered with Representative Carol Ammons to examine the barriers and benefits associated with hair braiding licensure in Illinois.

Her research explored how occupational licensure impacts economic mobility and professional opportunity — particularly for African immigrant and Black hair braiders.

Through interviews and focus groups with braiders and salon owners across Illinois, Barkley identified both the challenges and opportunities connected to licensure.

Key themes from the research included:

• Barriers related to cost, childcare, transportation, language accessibility, and licensing bureaucracy
• The professional legitimacy and business opportunities many licensed braiders associated with the credential
• The importance of including directly impacted community voices in policy discussions
• Policy models from other states designed to reduce barriers while maintaining professional standards

Barkley’s research helped inform House Bill 788, the Texture of Hair Care Licensing Act, which later passed the Illinois House. In closing, Barkley reflected on how the research reshaped the direction of proposed legislation after hearing directly from community members and hair braiders.

Examining Early Literacy, Economic Mobility, and Community Access

Sociology doctoral student Quinesha Bentley partnered with Senator Paul Faraci to study the relationship between early literacy, educational opportunity, and long-term economic mobility within Illinois’ 52nd District.

Bentley conducted interviews and site observations at early childhood centers, home daycares, and educational organizations throughout Champaign, Urbana, Danville, and Rantoul.

Her research focused on how access to education, healthcare, literacy resources, and community support systems influence long-term outcomes for children and families.

Key themes from the research included:

• Literacy disparities among underserved and low-income communities
• Access to healthcare, transportation, and disability support services
• Resource and technology gaps across early childhood education programs
• Barriers within Illinois’ at-home daycare licensing process
• The role family and community engagement plays in educational outcomes

Bentley’s recommendations included expanding mobile healthcare services, increasing literacy resource distribution for home-based daycare providers, improving technology access, and streamlining licensing systems for childcare providers.

Building Stronger Connections Between Research and Public Policy

Beyond the individual presentations, the celebration highlighted the growing relationship between university research, public engagement, and policymaking across Illinois.

Throughout the event, legislators, university leaders, and community partners reflected on how the PRLF Program has evolved into a collaborative space where students can apply their research beyond the classroom while contributing directly to conversations shaping communities across the state.

Representative Carol Ammons spoke about the value of bringing researchers into the policymaking process, particularly when addressing issues that require deeper community understanding and long-term thinking.

Senator Paul Faraci reflected on the importance of creating opportunities for emerging researchers to engage directly with public service and policymaking.

Speakers repeatedly emphasized that the fellowship is not only about producing research, but also about creating opportunities for students, lawmakers, and community members to learn from one another in real time.

For many in attendance, the event served as a reminder that meaningful policy work often begins with listening — to educators, families, workers, and communities whose experiences may not always be reflected in traditional policy discussions.

CSBS Director Eva Pomerantz closed the celebration by recognizing Elsa Augustine, Assistant Director of Public Policy and Research at CSBS, and Olivia Olvera, Research Development Specialist at CSBS, for their continued support of the students and their collaboration with legislators throughout the program. Reflecting on the program’s early development and its growth over time, she emphasized its role in strengthening public engagement and evidence-based collaboration between the university and state partners.

Pomerantz also noted how meaningful it has been to see the fellowship evolve into a space where students, legislators, and communities learn from one another in real time, with student research increasingly informing legislative conversations and public engagement efforts across Illinois.