Teacher Shortage

Democratic state Rep. Sharon Chung hopes to address the Illinois' teacher shortage by joining the newly-formed Teacher Shortage Working Group.

The fairs are a one-stop event for those interested in becoming a sub to complete the substitute teacher licensing process.

State Sen. Tom Bennett voted against the recently-approved $50.6 billion budget, but pointed to some areas he sees as positive.

Grant program targets vacancies in 170 school districts accounting for 80% of vacancies

One Unit 5 teacher who had her resignation rejected says she feels like a hostage now, working for the district.

Often called Introduction to Education or Education 101, the courses are aimed at giving juniors or seniors a chance to see if they want to pursue a career in education — and they’ve also been touted as a means of reducing the teacher shortage, as well as diversifying a heavily white profession.

In a recent survey published by the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents, 96% of responding school districts said "they have a substitute teacher shortage problem" and 90% said that shortage "continues to get worse."

School officials across Illinois say a shortage of teachers and substitutes is forcing them to cancel course offerings, move them online or fill open positions with people who are not fully qualified.

The Regional Office of Education covering McLean, Logan, Dewitt, and Livingston counties has received a $4 million federal grant to make new school principals better at their jobs. The hope is it will find ways to address a looming shortage of school administrators.

As Illinois schools continue to deal with a teacher shortage, Illinois State University is working on a program to bring educators to communities across central Illinois for elementary education. ISU is collaborating with five community colleges to make it possible.