PIERRE, S.D.(KELO)- The South Dakota Board of Regents is doing its part to ease the teacher shortage.

This week, they approved the launch of the Gateway to Teacher Education undergraduate certificate.

The director of Teaching and Learning in the Harrisburg School District – Travis Lape – told Regents the program is a step in the right direction.

Regents President Tim Rave says it makes quality education more accessible and strengthens the pipeline for developing educators in the state.