(June 20, 2008) The $1.4 million Transition to Teaching grant through Illinois State University allowed sixty paraprofessional to become teachers. The grant paid for the alternative certification program classes which were held at the University Center in Waukegan through Illinois State University nights, weekends and summers. The U.S. Department of Education funded grant was aimed at recruiting and retaining teachers in high-need school districts that have a harder time meeting the growing need for qualified bilingual teachers. The five-year program ended in May.

Learn more about the impact this program made in the archives of the Lake County News-Sun. “Federal program produces homegrown bilingual teachers” was written by Ryan Pagelow and published in the June 20, 2008 issue.