ISBE Resources for Recruiting and Retaining Multilingual Educators - Teacher Vacancy Grant - Community of Practice Meeting - February 18, 2026

Oct 10, 2026

ISBE resources outline the Teacher Vacancy Grant Community of Practice meeting focused on recruiting and retaining multilingual educators through the VIT (Visiting International Teacher) program. The briefing explains ISBE’s Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor role, including DS-2019 issuance, SEVIS record maintenance, and guidance on J-1 visa regulations. It details eligibility and licensure pathways (ELS-VIT), host district responsibilities, partner countries, program numbers for recent school years, and core cost drivers for both ISBE and participating districts.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages16

Reading Time40 min

AccessFree to download

VIT Program Overview

Introduction and international partners

Requirements for teacher applicants and host districts

ISBE’s Role in VIT Program

Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor functions

Partnerships, screening, and licensure

VIT Program Numbers

Sponsorship limits and recent recruitment outcomes

International Partners

Countries and partner organizations

Teacher Eligibility Requirements

J-1 Exchange Teacher Program requirements

ELS-VIT licensure and ELS-VIT requirements

Host District Responsibilities

Agreements, interviews, compensation, and onboarding

Arrival support and ongoing collaboration

Program Costs

ISBE fees and host district expenses

ISBE Resources for Recruiting and Retaining Multilingual Educators Teacher Vacancy Grant – Community of Practice Meeting February 18, 2026 Matt Rogalski, VIT Program Coordinator Multilingual / Language Development Department 1 VIT Program Overview • Introduction • International partners • Requirements for teacher applicantsand host districts 2 ISBE’s role in VIT Program • ISBE has been designated by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) as an Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor since 1999. – Allows ISBE to facilitate J-1 visa process for Visiting International Teachers (VITs) . – ISBE issues immigration document Form DS-2019, maintains records in federal“SEVIS” database, and advises VITs and host districts on J-1 visa regulations. • Partnerships – Maintain IGAs and provide programmatic support to host school districts. – Recruit qualified teachers through established international partner organizations. – Match VITs for interviews with participating host school districts based on fit with teaching credentials. • Screening and licensure – Proactive screening in collaboration with international partner organizations that all applicants meet J-1 visa requirements and will qualify for an Illinois educator license. – Guide VITs through application process for Educator License with Stipulations – Visiting International Teacher Endorsement (ELS-VIT) . 3 VIT program numbers • ISBE currently sponsors 302 J-1 VITs in Illinois; limited to sponsoring no more than 155 new VITs each year. • 182 new VIT candidates recruited with our international partner organizations for SY 2025-26. • 98 accepted offers from 29 different school districts: – 96 from Spain – 1 from Morocco – 1 from Mexico • 38 districts requested interviews, and all 38 were matched with at least one candidate to interview. • 2 new school districts hosting an ISBE VIT for the first time. 4 International partners • Spain: Spanish Ministry of Education • Mexico: Medina-Ramos Global Education Group • Morocco: Teachers of English Association of Morocco (TEAM) • Poland: Polish Ministry of Education • France: Academic Region of Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes 5 Teacher eligibility requirements • J-1 Exchange Teacher Program requirements are federal regulations administered by DOS ( 22 CFR 62.24 ) . – Must be qualified to teach at primary and/or secondary level in home country. – Must have 2+ years full-time teaching experience and be working as a teacher at time of application. Exception for those completing a graduate degree if they have 2+ years experience within the last 8 years. – Have a degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree (or higher) in education or a field related to the content area in which they intend to teach. • ELS-VIT licensure – Endorsed for ESL, Bilingual and World Language in the language of instruction from teacher preparation program(s) . – Additional grade level and content area endorsements based on teacher’s foreign credential evaluation. – ELS-VIT is valid for five years and is non-renewable. VITs repeating program must apply for PEL or ELS-TBE. • ELS-VIT requirements – ISBE-approved foreign credential evaluation (i.e. WES, ECE, etc. ) – Proof of English proficiency • Cambridge English Assessment: CEFR level B2 or higher • TOEFL before 1/21/26: Reading-18; Listening-17; Speaking-20; Writing – 17; TOEFL after 1/21/26: score of 4 or higher in each section (updated score range now 1–6) . • Global Seal of Biliteracy with working fluency level or higher in English • Degree with English major or where primary language of instruction was English – Form 73-03F – Application for VIT Endorsement • Hiring district completes and submits to ROE 6 Host district responsibilities • Must sign intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with ISBE prior to participating in program. – Email [exchangeteachers@isbe.net](exchangeteachers@isbe.net) to inquire about process. • Int

FAQs

What role does ISBE play in the VIT program for visiting international teachers?

ISBE serves as an Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor, facilitating the J-1 visa process. It issues immigration documents (Form DS-2019), maintains SEVIS records, and advises teachers and host districts on J-1 regulations.

What are the main eligibility requirements for teacher applicants under the J-1 Exchange Teacher Program and ELS-VIT?

Applicants must be qualified to teach at primary and/or secondary levels, have at least 2+ years of full-time teaching experience, and hold a relevant degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree or higher. ELS-VIT also requires approved foreign credential evaluation and proof of English proficiency (e.g., Cambridge CEFR B2+ or specified TOEFL score rules).

What responsibilities must host districts complete before and during the VIT placement?

Host districts must sign an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with ISBE, interview candidates, and offer full-time teaching positions for grades PK–12. They also provide onboarding and support (including first-arrival transportation and temporary housing for at least seven days) and maintain ongoing contact with ISBE staff, reporting employment-related changes within five days.

Oct 10, 2026

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