SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Special education teachers are in demand across South Dakota, and Sioux Falls schools are even hiring teachers before they're fully certified.

Sixty-one of the 364 teacher vacancies in the state are for special education positions. Randall Royer with the Associated School Boards of South Dakota says supply isn't meeting demand.

The number of Sioux Falls students with special learning needs has grown by about 8 percent in the last five years.

The school district is employing more special education teachers. But about one-fourth of those hired last year weren't fully certified at the start of the school year, and that pushes extra work onto fully trained teachers.

Teacher Sarah Henrichs tells the Argus Leader that only certified teachers can fill out the necessary special education paperwork.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


See Also:

More From KXRB