The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) released a request for proposals for $750,000 in state funds to develop teacher residency programs. Teacher residencies increase teacher recruitment and retention by offering a more immersive preparation experience, leading to new educators feeling better prepared on day one in the classroom. All public and private institutions of higher education with Illinois approved teacher preparation programs may apply. ISBE will prioritize applications that propose to partner with school districts or regional offices of education in rural areas or that propose to focus on preparing teachers in early childhood, bilingual education, or special education – the areas experiencing the highest demand.  In a residency, the teacher candidate embeds at a school for a full year, shadowing a veteran teacher and taking classes at the school – compared to one semester of student teaching typically offered in teacher preparation program. The residency model also offers veteran teachers a robust mentorship, coaching, and professional advancement opportunity.  Proposals for the third round of Teacher Residency Planning Grants are due Dec. 10, 2021. The request for proposals can be accessed through the IWAS system, and more information about the grant can be found on the Educator Effectiveness Grants webpage.