South Dakota's Teacher Apprenticeship Program Sees Success in Addressing Teacher Shortage

Strategic Insights -

Jaimie Bartmann, a special education teacher and one of the first graduates of the program, poses for a photo in her classroom. The two-year-old program has produced 59 graduates, of which 41 have signed teaching contracts and are filling vacancies across 31 public school districts and three private schools in South Dakota. The program allows paraprofessionals to pursue a teaching degree online while retaining their position, addressing the state's teacher shortage. South Dakota Department of Education Secretary Joe Graves calls it an "incredible success" in combining graduates' paraprofessional experience with their new education to fill vacancies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The South Dakota Teacher Apprenticeship Program has produced 59 graduates, with 41 signing teaching contracts to fill vacancies across 31 public school districts and three private schools.
  • The program has been successful in addressing the state's teacher shortage, with 144 unfilled positions statewide as of last month, the lowest number in recent years.
  • Graduates are likely to teach in elementary classrooms and special education, with 13 participants from the first cohort still participating in the program.
  • The program is funded through a combination of state and federal grants to reimburse universities for discounted tuition and other programming, with school districts paying $1,000 a year per apprentice.
  • The program's future is uncertain, with a spokeswoman for the state Department of Labor and Regulation noting that the exact funding needs for the third cohort will be determined after the apprentices start their coursework.
  • The program has been expanded to include another 80 candidates from 50 school districts and private schools in the third cohort, announced recently.

Statistics:

  • 59 graduates have completed the program, with 41 signing teaching contracts.
  • 144 positions were unfilled as of last month, the lowest number in recent years.
  • The program operates across 31 public school districts and three private schools.
  • Graduates are responsible for up to $1,000 a year in tuition, books, and state assessments.
  • The program has been funded through a combination of state and federal grants, with school districts paying $1,000 a year per apprentice.

Sources:

  • South Dakota Searchlight (https://southdakotasearchlight.com/2025/04/18/south-dakota-turned-to-paraprofessionals-to-attack-a-teacher-shortage-and-hundreds-responded/)
  • Associated School Boards of South Dakota
  • South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation
  • Dakota State University
  • Northern State University
  • South Dakota Searchlight (https://southdakotasearchlight.com/subscribe)