ABERDEEN (AP) - Even though they are among the lowest paid in the nation, South Dakota teachers are as qualified as their peers anywhere, officials in and out of the state say.

They have to be. Federal law essentially sets teacher standards by which state must abide.

Requirements for teacher certification vary somewhat from state to state, but all of them must meet the rigorous mandates of No Child Left Behind, federal legislation implemented about four years ago.

"With No Child Left Behind, nobody can have low standards," said Tom Hawley, dean of the School of Education at Northern State University in Aberdeen. "South Dakota should be very proud of how it prepares its teachers."

Nobody argues in favor of low standards for teacher certification. But the tough rules of No Child Left Behind can create a problem for school districts - finding enough teachers who meet the higher standards the relatively new law requires.

For several years now, districts throughout northeast South Dakota - even larger districts like Aberdeen - report smaller pools of qualified applicants for teacher job openings. Low pay might be a factor. But it also might be that the teaching profession attracts fewer people because of rigorous certification processes, officials say.

But do we really want people who don't have basic skills and knowledge teaching our children? That's the question Hawley asks. Standards might be tough, but they are "just basic standards," he said.

"I don't see them as obstacles. I see them more as quality control checks."

Then there's the issue of teachers who look good on paper - i.e., meet all the tough standards - but who have other shortcomings such as dishonesty or an aversion to children. Northern recognizes these possibilities as well and addresses them, Hawley said.

In fact, interpersonal skills is one of the National Council of Accreditation of Teacher Education's standards for teacher certification. So Northern is expected to analyze behavior of teacher candidates early on.

"Are they fair and honest? Do they care? Do they like children? Do they believe that all children can learn?" Hawley said.

If flaws persist, the teacher candidate would be encouraged to pursue a different career, he said.

Officials in other states say that South Dakota's standards for certification hit the bull's-eye. As examples, Nebraska accepts teachers who have completed teacher certification programs in South Dakota, said Jim Putman, Nebraska's director of teacher certification.

Iowa does as well.

"When somebody comes to Iowa from South Dakota, we accept their program. We do not challenge it," said George Maurer, executive director of Iowa's Board of Educational Examiners. That's providing the program came from an accredited school.

A South Dakota teacher moving to another state might have to take a course or two, but the same is true of an out-of-state teacher transferring to South Dakota. For example, South Dakota requires teacher candidates to complete a three-credit college course on South Dakota Indian studies. Teachers coming from other states must take the course to become certified in South Dakota.

NSU's School of Education is accredited by the National Council of Accreditation of Teacher Education. All six public universities in South Dakota have NCATE accreditation, as do Augustana College and the University of Sioux Falls, Hawley said.

"It is the gold seal for teacher education," he said. "It is a big deal. NCATE teams from all over the country come here to review us."