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For Immediate Release
Tuesday, June 18, 2019

State Board of Education awards $1 million in grants to strengthen teaching profession

​Teacher leadership and teacher residency grants provide critical resources during educator shortage

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced today that seven school districts have received state grants to strengthen the teaching profession. The teacher leadership and teacher residency grants, totaling $1 million, will provide critical resources as part of the state's efforts to alleviate the statewide educator shortage. Both grants will produce evidence-based models that can be shared and scaled statewide.

“Resources are a major barrier for school districts that want to strengthen their infrastructure for preparing, recruiting, and retaining educators," said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen I. Ayala. “These grants are just one part of the state's efforts to invest equitably in the teaching profession. I applaud the grant recipients and look forward to sharing their work with other districts and postsecondary institutions across the state." 

Research shows that leadership opportunities for current teachers promote retention and prevent burnout, as well as positively impact student achievement and school culture. The Teacher Leadership Problems of Practice Grant will support grantees in addressing local challenges to developing and retaining teacher leaders. The following school districts received Teacher Leadership Problems of Practice Grants. Proposals from Evidence-Based Funding Tier 1 or 2 districts received higher awards:

  • Bunker Hill CUSD 8 - $75,000
  • Altamont CUSD 10 - $75,000
  • Calumet SD 132 - $50,000
  • Township HSD 214 - $50,000

High-quality field experiences are essential in developing teachers who are “day one ready." The Teacher Residency Planning Grant will support partnerships between high-needs school districts and institutions of higher education to plan full-year field experiences. The following school districts received Teacher Residency Planning Grants:

  • North Chicago CUSD 187 (in partnership with National Louis University) - $50,000*
  • Woodstock CUSD 200 (in partnership with Aurora University) - $50,000*
  • Chicago Public Schools 299 (in partnership with Roosevelt University) - $50,000*

*Teacher residency grantees will each be eligible for a $200,000 implementation grant in fiscal year 2021, if FY 2020 plans meet specified criteria.

Learn more about the grants at www.isbe.net/Pages/Educator-Effectiveness-Grants.aspx. ​

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