(IOCI RADIO) – Illinois added nearly 5,700 teachers during the last school year, more than the past five years combined.

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) surveyed schools and saw a big increase in positions filled, with a statewide vacancy rate of just 1.5%.

But the board’s Director of Teaching and Learning, Jennifer Kirmes, said the shortage continues in low-income schools and specialty fields.

Kirmes said the board will continue efforts to attract and support more teachers, especially in struggling schools that still have vacancies.