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National Board Resource Center

Two-Year $4k Retention Incentive per year for National Board Certified Teachers in Hard-to-Staff Illinois Schools

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is showing its support for the positive impact that National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) make through improving teaching and student learning for Illinois’ most under-resourced students in "hard-to-staff schools." Please take a moment to contact your state representatives to thank them for their continued support in funding incentives for NBCTs.

"A "hard-to-staff school" means a public school in which no less than 30% of student enrollment is considered low-income as reported by the report card under Section 10-17a of this Code." - Public Act 103-0207 -

The application is to be completed ONLY if you are an eligible Illinois National Board Certified Teacher from a "hard-to-staff" school. The $4,000.00 USD per year retention incentive for two consecutive years shall be paid to each qualified educator on a first-come, first-served basis who meets all criteria per year below:

  • Is currently employed as a full-time teacher in an Illinois public school for the whole school year AND
  • holds a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards designation on their Illinois Professional Educator License AND
  • is a current National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) AND
  • is employed in a "hard-to-staff school" as defined in Public Act 103-0207 for the whole school year

Please check the report below for more information regarding the eligible schools for the 2023-2024 incentive cycle below. There are a total of 2,772 eligible schools that employ educators who might by other factors above be determined to be eligible for the retention incentive. You are also welcome to view the NCES website to find additional information about your district's or school's locale code and the ISBE EBF Quick Facts document to find your district's tier. This report will be updated every October.

You can also look over this flowchart to get an idea of whether you may qualify for this incentive.

Report: FY24 4K Incentive - All Eligible Schools by County

 

Check back for more information late this fall on the

application window dates to see if you are eligible!

 

For assistance regarding technical or processing issues, please contact NBResourceCenter@illinoisstate.edu.

**NOTE: If you are not currently an NBCT but would like to learn more about the application process, please visit our Application for the Illinois National Board First Time Candidate Fee Subsidy page.