Illinois State Board of Education
{{CurrentPage.Topics.DisplayName}} {{CurrentPage.Subtopic_x0020_Level_x0020_1}}

{{CurrentPage.Title}}

The Teacher Vacancy Grant aims to address chronic teacher shortages by providing the state's 100 most understaffed districts with resources to attract, hire, support, and retain teachers. The grant allows districts maximum flexibility to use allocated funds in innovative, creative, and evidence-based ways, such as signing bonuses, housing stipends, down-payment assistance, or loan repayments; to pay tuition and fees or provide residencies or apprenticeships; and to sustain employment of current teachers by providing materials, supplies, coaching, and school culture supports. The Teacher Vacancy Grant originated as a three-year pilot program implemented in 170 districts in FY24 - FY26. In FY27, 100 districts were identified to receive funding to impact vacancies.  

Districts in Evidence-Based Funding Tiers 1, 2, or 3 (as calculated for FY 2026) have been identified for eligibility. One hundred districts have been selected for proposed awards based on the highest counts of unfilled teaching positions (i.e., not administrative or school support positions) and to ensure that 60% (60) of awards go to rural districts and 40% (40) of awards go to urban districts. The 60/40 split is aligned to the composition of all Tier 1, 2, and 3 districts in the state. National Center for Education Statistics locale classifications​ were used to determine which districts were rural and which were urban. 

  1. Methodology and List of Selected Districts FY 2027PDF Document
  2. FAQ​PDF Document
  3. FY27 Funding Announcement Webinar​YouTube Video Link
  4. Technical Assistance Webinar​YouTube Video Link
  5. Office Hours
    Weekly virtual office hours will be held 9-10 a.m. on Thursdays in September and October. This is an opportunity for grantees to connect with a TVG team member for immediate assistance.

Upcoming Events

The Illinois State Board of Education is pleased to announce the Teacher Vacancy Grant Summit, taking place on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at the University of Illinois Springfield. The summit will run from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

This event brings together district leaders, educator preparation partners, and statewide collaborators to celebrate the progress, partnerships, and outcomes made possible through the Teacher Vacancy Grant. Throughout the day, attendees will:

  • Highlight accomplishments and innovative practices
  • Share lessons learned and successful strategies
  • Connect with peers from across Illinois
  • Explore sustainability and future opportunities to strengthen teacher pipelines

Join us in recognizing the extraordinary work happening statewide to ensure every classroom has access to excellent educators.

  • Date: May 19, 2026
  • Location: University of Illinois Springfield
  • Time: 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

More details—including agenda, registration, and parking information—will be communicated via email.

FY 2027

The Teacher Vacancy Grant (TVG) Community of Practice serves as a collaborative platform where educators can come together to share insights, strategies, and lessons learned from the experiences implementing the Teacher Vacancy Grant. The Community of Practice cultivates a supportive environment to collectively address challenges faced in tackling teacher vacancies.​

  • April 15 from 9:15-10:00 
    Description: You are invited to join the TVG Team’s Community of Practice focused on preparing for the Fiscal Year 2026 closeout. This session is designed to bring our community together to share guidance, best practices, and tools that support a smooth and efficient year-end process.
  • March 18, 2026, 9:15-10 a.m.
    Title:TVG Community of Practice-Supporting Special EducatorsYouTube Video Link
    Description: You’re invited to a brief session highlighting key resources that support new special education teachers. We will provide an overview of tools available on ISBE’s Special Education webpage and feature high‑quality, evidence‑based materials from OSEP‑funded Technical Assistance Centers.
    This session will help you quickly locate practical supports for onboarding, instruction, and retention of early‑career special educators.
  • February 18, 2026, 9:15-10 a.m.
    Title:TVG Community of Practice-Multilingual and EL Support for EducatorsYouTube Video Link
    Description: You’re invited to a focused professional learning session highlighting key supports available to districts serving English Learners. During this 45‑minute Community of Practice, we will provide an overview of ISBE’s Visiting International Teacher Program and explore resources offered through the Multilingual Department to strengthen the recruitment and retention of educators who support English Learners.
    This brief but informative session will help districts better understand available pathways for staffing, access tools designed to support multilingual programs, and connect with colleagues engaged in similar work.
  • May 20, 2025, 10-11 a.m.
    • Exploring the Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program

      Please view the informative webinar designed specifically for Teacher Vacancy Grantees! This session will delve into the Registered Teacher Apprenticeship program, a unique pathway that combines classroom instruction with hands-on teaching experience.

      What You'll Learn:

      • Program Overview: Understand the structure and benefits of the program.
      • Eligibility and Application: Learn about the eligibility criteria and the application process.
      • Support and Resources: Discover the support and resources available to apprentices, and learn about programs already operating in Illinois.
      This webinar is an excellent opportunity to gain insights into how the program can help address teacher shortages and support your vacancy work.
  • April 15, 2025, 10-11 a.m.
    • The Teacher Vacancy Team | Pathways to SuccessPDF Document
    • During this webinar, the ISBE team provided information on the history and next steps for the grant. The team also highlighted the strategy briefs available on this webpage that provide additional information on key initiatives for district implementation.
  • February 18, 2025, 10-11 a.m.
    Please view this one-hour Community of Practice session on "How the Teacher Vacancy Grant is helping us Find, Grow, and Keep High Quality Teachers" and "How to be Remarkable"YouTube Video Link, we will hear from two Teacher Vacancy Grant recipients highlighting the strategies that have assisted their districts in teacher recruitment and retention.
    • Susan Fumo, Freeport School District 145 | How the Teacher Vacancy Grant is helping us Find, Grow, and Keep High Quality Teachers
      Susan Fumo, the assistant superintendent of Human Resources for Freeport School District 145, will share strategies used by her district. She will highlight how the district uses Teacher Vacancy Grant funds to find, grow, and keep teachers.
    • Yunek Moore, Peoria Public School District 150 | How to be Remarkable
      The slogan of Peoria Public Schools is “Where remarkable happens every day.” Yunek Moore, teacher pathway coordinator for the district, designed this presentation to showcase how her district strives to achieve remarkable outcomes every day, even via its grants. “How to be Remarkable” dives into the targeted strategies Peoria Public Schools uses to address teacher recruitment and retention. Such efforts have yielded measurable outcomes and paved the way for a stronger, more diverse teaching workforce. A key achievement is the development of successful alternative certification programs, which support substitutes and paraprofessionals in becoming certified teachers. Data-driven insights through Hanover Research help improve teacher support. Equity and early engagement initiatives like Future Teacher Clubs and Education Pathway programs are inspiring the next generation of educators.
  • January 28, 2025, 10-11 a.m. | Blending and Braiding Funds for Teacher Vacancy Grant Strategy Sustainability
    Please view this one-hour virtual workshop on Blending and Braiding Funds for Teacher Vacancy Grant Strategy SustainabilityYouTube Video Link where we explored national research and strategies on blending and braiding funds to ensure sustainability. This session guided districts in identifying which strategies to continue beyond the grant period and considered future funding streams to support these initiatives. Several resources are presented, including the Illinois Braiding and Blending Guide, Talent Development Framework: Funding Guide, and Funding Guide: Supporting Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program with Federal and State Funds.
    • Shauntice Wheeler has more than 24 years of experience in education as a teacher, district leader, assistant principal, and state education agency leader. She brings deep expertise in supporting educator development and workforce policies. Mrs. Wheeler is skillful in leveraging quantitative and qualitative data to strategically address needs.
    • Lois Kimmel's expertise focuses on educator shortages and diversifying the teacher workforce, with a specific emphasis on teacher recruitment and preparation. Ms. Kimmel leads projects and serves as a subject matter expert related to the teacher workforce, teacher career pathways, and teacher preparation.

    Resources:

  • December 19, 2024
    Communicating the Impact of Your Teacher Vacancy Grant, hosted by the Illinois State Board of EducationYouTube Video Link
    During the webinar, we explored innovative strategies and shared guidance on creating effective one-pagers to communicate the impact of your Teacher Vacancy Grant funding. We hope this recording serves as a valuable resource for showcasing your successes and engaging stakeholders.
    Additional resources that may be helpful:

FY 2027 Communities of Practice will resume in January 2027

Early Results of Year 3 Funding

Early Results of Year 2 Funding

Early Results of Year 1 Funding

We are pleased to announce that the first year of Teacher Vacancy Grant has led to 5,400 new hires and retention of 11,000 educators!  The Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative (IWERC) recently released early results from a $45 million state investment that show improved recruitment and retention in the state’s most understaffed school districts.

“It’s a great time to be a teacher in Illinois," said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders. "The funds provided by the state’s Teacher Vacancy Grants are empowering school districts to provide new financial incentives, special pipeline programs, and other supports to recruit and retain teachers. Illinois is leading the way in investing in education, making our state the best place for educators to build their careers.”

See latest news.

ISBE partnered with IWERC to evaluate the grant program and release two studies:

Pilot Program FYs 2024-26
Eligible districtsPDF Document have received direct communication from the Illinois State Board of Education.

An information webinar was held on June 27, 2023. 

Eligible districtsPDF Document have received direct communication from the Illinois State Board of Education.

An information webinar was held on June 26, 2024.

The Teacher Vacancy Grant Summit took place on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, in Bloomington, IL at the ISU Bone Student Center. The event’s objective was to support grantees in addressing local teacher shortages.

Attendees engaged in collaborative sessions to discuss strategies for filling teacher vacancies, reviewed data from the Year 1 evaluation report, and learned about the grant’s role within broader teacher shortage initiatives from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). Participants showcased the successes of their strategies and began developing one-pagers to communicate the impact of Teacher Vacancy Grant funding. Additionally, they explored sustainable, long-term approaches for their district's teacher vacancy initiatives, through considering how to blend and braid funding streams to support future programming.

Please see the materials below for additional support and information.

Eligible districts have received direct communication from the Illinois State Board of Education.

The Teacher Vacancy Grant Summit was held Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at the University of Illinois-Springfield. The event’s objective was to support grantees in addressing local teacher shortages.

Attendees engaged in collaborative sessions to discuss strategies for filling teacher vacancies, reviewed data from the Year 1 and 2 evaluation reports, and learned about the grant’s role within broader teacher shortage initiatives. Additionally, they explored sustainable, long-term approaches for their district's teacher vacancy initiatives by considering how to blend and braid funding streams to support future programming.

Please see the materials below for additional support and information:

* * * This page has been archived. The content on this page may no longer be in effect. * * *

Contact Information