South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden announced the expansion of the South Dakota Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway (SD TAP), creating 31 additional apprenticeship spots to strengthen the state’s education workforce.
The move increases enrollment in the program’s fourth cohort from 40 to 71 participants, made possible by a $500,000 investment from the state’s Future Fund. The program allows paraprofessionals to earn bachelor’s degrees in education over two years while continuing to work in their local schools.
SD TAP was launched in 2023 to address statewide teacher shortages. With 50 recent graduates from Dakota State University and Northern State University, the program has now produced 118 certified teachers. The program is a partnership among state agencies, universities, the Board of Regents and local school districts.
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