Additional Illinois Projects

REL Midwest is collaborating with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to expand teacher residency and apprenticeship models as part of a broader strategy to address educator shortages and improve teacher retention in Illinois. REL Midwest is helping ISBE learn how other states are implementing these models, understand what rigorous research finds about their effectiveness, and identify next steps for strengthening educator preparation pathways in Illinois. 

REL Midwest is working with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to support the implementation of its National Board Resource Center as part of a broader strategy to promote teacher retention and leadership in Illinois. REL Midwest is helping ISBE learn how other states and statewide organizations support teachers in their efforts to become National Board certified. Consider possible approaches for structuring supports for aspiring candidates, mentors, district leaders, and other partners and develop a plan to evaluate the implementation and outcomes of the center. 

REL Midwest is partnering with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to strengthen the collection, reporting, and use of social-emotional learning (SEL) data. Using information from regional SEL Hub directors about their current practices, REL Midwest and ISBE are cocreating a dashboard that streamlines data collection, reduces duplicative reporting, and makes information easier to use for planning and continuous improvement.