Illinois State will be making some news in Chicago next week. President Bowman will join Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., City Collges of Chicago Chancellor Wayne Watson and Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan to announce an exciting new plan to recruit and train teachers for inner-city schools. It’s called the Chicago Teachers Pipeline, and as the largest producer of teachers in the state, Illinois State will play a major role.

Chicago Public Schools high school students with an interest and aptitude for teaching will be identified and recruited by Illinois State professors. They’ll make campus visits and our teachers will visit them in Chicago. The students will have a special admissions arrangement at City Colleges and Illinois State, and will be mentored throughout their academic experience. The plan is to pump more qualified teachers into the schools that need them the most.