ISBE TEACHER VACANCY GRANT
Solutions for Illinois Teacher Recruitment and Retention
If you are one of the 170 Illinois districts that qualify for ISBE’s Teacher Vacancy Grant Pilot Program, find out how BloomBoard can help!
BloomBoard is a talent development provider that enables K-12 school districts to grow, advance, and retain educators. Our platform is connecting Illinois school districts to learning providers that offer certification and degree programs using a unique on-the-job instructional model. We are now offering an Apprenticeship-based Bachelor’s Degree in Education to help districts address their shortage with existing talent.
On this page you will find additional information about BloomBoard and how we can support you in ISBE’s Teacher Vacancy Grant application process.
Learn how Valley View School District is attracting and developing talent through on-the-job teaching degree and certification programs.
Watch “Effective Ways to Leverage Your Illinois Teacher Vacancy Grant” to learn more about out how we can support you.
Hear BloomBoard founder, Jason Lange, discuss how districts are reinventing teacher preparation.
Talk directly with a BloomBoard representative to learn more about our solutions.
A Few of Our Illinois Partners…
Sterling Public Schools
Evanston/Skokie School District 65
Bellwood School District #88
Lake Zurich CUSD #95
Hinckley-Big Rock CUSD #429
Waukegan CUSD #60
Valley View School District
Wheeling CCSD 21
Fremont School District 79
East Moline School District 37
ISBE Teacher Vacancy Grant Overview
If you are interested in working with BloomBoard on your grant application, please email Kerry Frank at kerry.frank@bloomboard.com. We are happy to answer any questions and assist with brainstorming, writing, editing, and/or submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is it and why should my district apply?
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible districts have received direct communication from the Illinois State Board of Education.
How much is this grant for?
What DOES this grant pay for?
- Financial incentives to immediately impact recruitment/hiring (Signing bonuses, Housing stipends and/or down payment assistance, Loan repayment)
- Programs and incentives to strengthen pipelines (Tuition & Fees, licensure fees to support employee advancement, Partnerships to develop strategic pathways
- e.g., residency, apprenticeships)Investments to sustain teachers and reduce attrition (Instructional Materials and Supplies, Instructional Coaching, School culture supports)
Districts have flexibility over how they spend the funds, but ISBE will issue guidance to support districts with evidence-based ideas, technical assistance, consulting, and communities of practice to support those receiving funds. In reviewing applications, ISBE will look for alignment of the proposed solutions/expenditures to the suspected root causes of shortages in that district and consistency with evidence-based practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NOT paid for by this grant?
When is this grant due?
- If you want to have a program start date of July 1, 2023, applications are due by July 31, 2023.
- If you want a start date after July 1, 2023, applications are due by the end of August 2023.
What is the process to apply for this grant?
- Brainstorm ideas together
- Fill out Google Doc application (provided by BloomBoard)
- Review application and edit
- Copy and paste responses to the appropriate sections of IWAS Application (Applications are due July 31, 2023 for a July 1 start date; Applications are due August 26, 2023 for a post-July 1 start date)
Districts will need to complete a formula grant application in ISBE’s electronic grants management system. The application will be streamlined – the main components will be the district’s plans for the funds and proposed budget. Applications that have all the required components, are aligned to the purpose of the program and contain allowable expenses will be approved. Applications will not be compared to one another as in a competitive grant, but rather will be evaluated against the standards/expectations for the program.
Who can help me with brainstorming, preparing, and writing this grant?
- Kerry Frank, Senior Account Representative for Illinois at BloomBoard
Questions can also be directed to teachervacancygrant@isbe.net.
Contact us to learn more about how we can support your district.
BloomBoard’s Talent Development Solutions
Build your talent pipeline, while advancing and retaining your educators.
No matter where your educators are on their journey, we have a solution for their economic and professional advancement. In Illinois, we currently offer:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education (60 or 120 Credits)
- Bachelor’s Degree in Intervention Specialist: Mild to Moderate Needs (60 or 120 Credits)
- English Language Learners Certification (18 Credits)
- Learning Behavior Specialist 1 Certification (12 Credits)
- Master’s Degree in Technology and Computer Science (30 Credits)
- Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction (30 Credits)
About BloomBoard
Watch this brief video to learn more about BloomBoard and how we support school districts with educator pipeline, advancement, and retention solutions.
→ To learn more, contact Kerry Frank, Illinois Account Representative at kerry.frank@bloomboard.com.
Partners In the News
D65 offers path for aides to become teachers
Cynthia Battle always wanted to become a teacher. But between the need to earn a living, and the high cost of college, Battle earned only a two-year associate’s degree, and then went to work as a paraprofessional (teacher’s aide) in Evanston/Skokie District 65…
Sterling Public Schools explores ‘game-changer’ teacher development process
Sterling Public Schools previewed an initiative to develop homegrown talent for teaching openings during its board of education meeting Wednesday that its superintendent called “a game-changer”…
Bellwood School District offering salary bonuses for taking free courses
The Bellwood School District in Chicago has found a unique way for students and teachers to recover from the effects of COVID. The district is offering a graduate-level PD program for everyone in its district, including teachers, secretaries, and bus drivers.…
D65 expands teacher residency program and introduces teacher apprenticeship program to strengthen community impact
Evanston/Skokie School District 65 launched a new teacher apprenticeship program to improve an existing teacher residency program this September, addressing an anticipated teacher shortage and hiring a more diverse teaching staff…
Contact us to learn more about how we can support your district.
Informational Resources on Apprenticeship
Content Brief: Solving Your Teacher Shortage
Webinar: On-the-Job Approaches to Tackling the Educator Shortage
Brief: Rethinking Your Teacher Pipeline Strategy
Reinventing Teacher Prep to Solve the Shortage, Diversify the Profession & Improve Instruction
District leaders are moving away from traditional campus-centric models and embracing teaching degree programs that are integrated directly into their classrooms through apprenticeship. They realize that investing in their own paraprofessionals and community members may be the most powerful way to build a sustainable talent pipeline and to help their students. Watch the video to learn more.
What Educators Are Saying
Let’s Work Together!
If you are interested in discussing how we can work together and assist in completing your Teacher Vacancy Grant application, complete the form below and we’ll be in touch quickly! You may also email our Grant Writing Specialist diretly at keshia.pleasant@bloomboard.com.