Consortium Formation Assistance

GYO Illinois wants to help you bring Grow Your Own Teachers funding to your community.  The primary direct requirement is the formation of a "Consortium" as defined by the law - which must include at least one higher education institution with an ongoing undergraduate teacher education program, one school district with an identified group of schools that are hard-to-staff or have substantial numbers of hard-to-fill positions, and a community organization that has direct experience in mobilizing parents and community members to promote educational improvement. (Here are some further notes on forming a consortium.)

GYO Illinois will send a team of consulting organizers to your community to help convene meetings of potential consortium members, target potential participants, and generate the community and civic support which is critical to a project's success, and develop a planning grant proposal. Once the planning is underway, we will continue to be available for assistance on both substantive issues like staffing and technical issues like budget preparation.

Since 2005, organizers from our participating organizations have assisted in the development of programs all over Chicago, and in 8 other areas of the state. We've most recently been in Southernmost Illinois (January 07) and Peoria (February 07).

If you think we can help your community become a part of Grow Your Own Teachers, send a message to Anne Hallett, Manager.