ISBE Awards Fiscal Year 2027 Teacher Vacancy Grants to 100 High-Need School Districts

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has announced the selection of 100 school districts to receive Teacher Vacancy Grant funding, continuing the state's efforts to address educator shortages in the communities facing the greatest staffing challenges. In Fiscal Year 2027, ISBE is allocating $15 million to support this program.

The FY 2027 Teacher Vacancy Grant cohort was identified using data from ISBE's annual Unfilled Positions Report, with awards focused on eligible districts in Evidence-Based Funding Tiers 1, 2, and 3 that reported the highest numbers of unfilled teaching positions. The selected districts account for approximately 77% of all reported teacher vacancies statewide while representing only 12% of Illinois Local Education Agencies.

"Illinois is ensuring students have access to excellent teachers and strong learning environments," said Governor JB Pritzker. "These grants will help school districts facing the most significant staffing challenges recruit and retain the educators students need to succeed. We remain committed to strengthening the educator pipeline and supporting schools across our state."

The Teacher Vacancy Grant Pilot Program is effectively reducing persistent educator shortages in rural and urban school districts through targeted investments in recruitment, retention, and professional learning. During the program's first two years, 15,988 educators received support through grant-funded initiatives, while 1,135 certified staff received assistance to earn endorsements in high-need subject areas, strengthening the pipeline of qualified educators for hard-to-fill positions.

These investments have coincided with measurable improvements. Among participating districts, teacher vacancies declined from 2,858 in FY23 to 2,060 in FY26, a 28% reduction, while the teacher vacancy rate fell from 4.6% to 3.2%. This data affirms the preliminary findings of the independent evaluation of the program conducted by the Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative.

"Every student deserves access to qualified, effective educators, regardless of where they live," said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders. "I am grateful to Governor JB Pritzker and the General Assembly for their continued commitment to addressing teacher shortages through the Teacher Vacancy Grant Program. By investing in districts with the greatest staffing needs, this program helps direct resources where they can have the greatest impact, strengthening local educator workforces and ensuring more students have access to the excellent teachers they deserve."

Since the Teacher Vacancy Grant Pilot was created in 2023, $120 million has been directed toward school districts. The grants support local efforts to recruit, prepare, and retain educators through innovative staffing strategies and partnerships tailored to community needs.

The FY 2027 cohort includes both returning participants and districts newly identified through the updated methodology. Of the 100 funded districts, 68 participated in the original pilot program and 32 are new to Teacher Vacancy Grant funding.

ISBE identified eligible districts by analyzing unfilled full-time equivalent teaching positions and applying the program's established eligibility criteria, including Evidence-Based Funding tier status and geographic considerations.

Districts have used the funding in a variety of ways tailored to local needs, including signing bonuses and retention stipends, tuition reimbursement and professional learning opportunities, mentorship programs for new teachers, special education teacher incentives, classroom technology and resources, and initiatives designed to strengthen school culture and educator support.

Districts will receive notification and grant materials following finalization of award determinations and allocations.