ENID, Okla. (AP) — The Oklahoma State Department of Education and individual districts are working to ease a teacher shortage by approving emergency certifications.
According to State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister, Oklahoma began the 2015-16 school year with more than 1,000 teaching positions unfilled. The Enid News & Eagle reports that the state has approved 948 emergency certifications for teachers since July, but a shortage remains across the state. Enid Public Schools applied for 18 emergency certifications this year.
Emergency certified teachers have a year-long grace period to complete required testing while they teach, unlike alternative certification.
Enid schools Communications Director Amber Graham Fitzgerald says the district is in need of teachers in all areas.
Education department Communications Specialist Peter Wright said that most of the approved emergency certified teachers have gone to large school districts like Tulsa and Oklahoma City.