South Dakota Department of Education News

Oct. 11, 2012 - Anderson selected as 2013 South Dakota Teacher of the Year

East Middle School science and reading teacher Katie Anderson, of Rapid City, has been selected as the 2013 South Dakota Teacher of the Year.

Sept. 25, 2012 - Technical institutes see record enrollment

South Dakota’s four technical institutes have achieved another enrollment milestone, collectively topping the 6,200 mark this fall for the first time ever.

Aug. 22, 2012 - State’s ACT scores steady, Still above national average

South Dakota’s average composite ACT score remains unchanged from last year at 21.8, where it has been for the past three years. The national average was also unchanged from a year ago, sitting at 21.1 as it has for four of the past five years.

Aug. 14, 2012 - State Report Card now available, Test scores remain steady

The 2012 Report Card, which details student progress on South Dakota’s state assessment, is now available online.

July 16, 2012 - Online programs helping high school students succeed

The South Dakota Board of Education received updates Monday during its regularly scheduled meeting on two online programs that create rigor and relevance for high school students.

July 13, 2012 - South Dakota gets high marks for special education, Birth-to-3 services

Once again, South Dakota has received the highest rating possible under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, for fiscal year 2010.

June 29, 2012 - State’s NCLB waiver proposal receives approval

South Dakota’s waiver for flexibility from key provisions of No Child Left Behind has been approved by the U.S. Department of Education.

June 22, 2012 - South Dakota receives grant to upgrade student data management

South Dakota has been awarded one of 24 state-level grants from the Institute of Education Sciences.

June 5, 2012 - Special education reports now available online

The latest information related to South Dakota’s performance on improving the educational outcomes of students with disabilities and providing early intervention services for youngsters who are developmentally delayed is now available.

May 25, 2012 - Grant expands to include new after-school programs

Three new 21st Century Community Learning Center grants will be awarded this year in South Dakota and six other grants will be renewed, Gov. Dennis Daugaard announced today.

May 23, 2012 - EPSCoR grant applications now being accepted

GProposals for South Dakota EPSCoR funds are now being accepted. Funds are used to enhance, expand and develop new programs and opportunities in secondary career cluster programs.

May 17, 2012 - Students awarded Hagen-Harvey Scholarships

Gov. Dennis Daugaard says seven Native American students have been chosen to receive Richard Hagen-Minerva Harvey Memorial Scholarships for the 2012-13 school year.

May 11, 2012 - Science scores still near top, though relatively unchanged

South Dakota eighth-grade students are ahead of their peers when it comes to the latest science scores – which are good, but virtually unchanged – as measured by the 2011 National Assessment of Educational Progress.

May 10, 2012 - South Dakota partners with Smithsonian Institute

South Dakota’s Office of Indian Education is collaborating with the Smithsonian Institute to compile a collection of historical and cultural resources pertaining to the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings and Standards.

May 8, 2012 - Individuals selected to serve on HB 1234 work groups

The Department of Education has announced the composition of three of the work groups related to House Bill 1234. These work groups include: Teacher Evaluation, Principal Standards and Evaluation, and Local Teacher Reward Plan Advisory Council.

April 25, 2012 - Important Advanced Placement exam information update

LAdditional funds are now available from the U.S. Department of Education to help districts and students offset the costs of Advanced Placement exams. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the funds will cover all AP exams taken by qualifying students in May 2012.

April 16, 2012 - Work group response positive

Letter from South Dakota Secretary of Education, Dr. Melody Schopp

April 16, 2012 - Common Core training FAQ

Get answers to your questions about the Common Core training available through the Investing in Teachers initiative. Training options target teachers of English language arts and math, and begin this summer.

April 13, 2012 - Capstone experiences, service learning coming in 2013-14

Beginning in school year 2013-14, South Dakota high school students will have the option of completing a capstone experience or participating in service learning, as part of a short menu of options required for graduation. Is your high school ready?

April 12, 2012 - 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey results released

The 2011 South Dakota Youth Risk Behavior Survey Report was released today.

April 12, 2012 - Educator recognition: Shine a spotlight on your “best and brightest”

School administrators: If you have an educator who represents South Dakota’s best and brightest, we want to hear from you.

April 11, 2012 - US Ed offers one-year AMO flexibility

South Dakota plans to apply for a One-Year AMO Flexibility Waiver from the U.S. Department of Education. This waiver would apply if the state’s larger ESEA Flexibility Waiver application is not approved.

April 10, 2012 - High schools must begin offering either Capstone, Service Learning

Beginning in school year 2013-14, South Dakota high schools will be required to offer either a Capstone Experience or Service Learning, as part of the state’s minimum graduation requirements. Is your high school ready?

March 29, 2012 - Investing in Teachers, Training Component

TInvesting in Teachers also includes a comprehensive, $8.4 million training effort in four distinct areas. This training will occur over the next three years.

March 28, 2012 - Tech Institutes: Placement remains high, slight bump in state fees

The March 19, 2012, meeting of the South Dakota Board of Education dealt almost exclusively with the work of the state’s four technical institutes.

March 28, 2012 - Register for Common Core Training for Teachers

Deadline to register for Common Core Training for Teachers is May 1, 2012.

March 27, 2012 - Serving healthier school lunches

The new meal requirements will raise standards for the first time in fifteen years and will help improve the health and nutrition of nearly 32 million kids that participate in school meal programs every school day.

March 26, 2012 - Amazing Body Exhibit Tours

The Amazing Body Exhibit will be available to schools in the 2012 school year from Team Nutrition. Apply for your school or after school program to host this set of interactive learning centers on body organs, nutrition and physical activity.

March 23, 2012 - Highway Patrol looking for future troopers

South Dakota high school students will have an opportunity to participate in the first-ever Youth Trooper Academy this summer. To qualify, students must be entering their senior year, be in good academic standing, as well as good physical condition, and must possess a valid driver’s license.

March 23, 2012 - Common Core training key piece of Investing in Teachers package

Through SB 192, the Legislature approved $8.4 million for training related to Common Core and other key education initiatives. Common Core options include training this summer or during the 2012-13 school year. An online option will be available January 2013.

March 22, 2012 - The Zebra: Teachers and Technology winners, Common Core literacy

Read the newest issue of The Zebra, the monthly online newsletter for South Dakota teachers. Latest news from the Department of Education on events, initiatives and monthly feature on a South Dakota teacher.

March 21, 2012 - HB 1234: What’s really in it?

HB 1234 received much debate during the 2012 legislative session. What exactly does the bill do? Go to doe.sd.gov for a quick summary

March 20, 2012 - Breaking down education reform package

The education reform package passed by the 2012 Legislature includes several pieces: HB 1234, which lays the groundwork for a $15 million investment in the teaching profession over the next three years, and SB 192, which provides $8.4 million to fund training related to statewide initiatives such as the Common Core. Another bill, SB 25, allows South Dakota to move forward with developing a new school accountability model.

March 19, 2012 - March EdOnline:

2012 Legislative summary, PRF database, anti-bullying training

Jan. 13, 2012 - South Dakota public libraries recognized for accreditation efforts

Fourteen South Dakota libraries were accredited by the South Dakota State Library in 2011, under a new system of tiered accreditation.

Jan. 6, 2012 - Grants available to fund after-school programs

Applications for the next round of 21st Century Community Learning Center, or 21st CCLC, grants are now available online. The centers provide students with academic enrichment opportunities and activities designed to complement the students’ regular school instruction. Grant award amounts range from $50,000 to $150,000 per year, and the life of the grant is five years.

Jan. 4, 2012 - Applications open for National Youth Science Camp

Two South Dakota high school seniors will have an opportunity to travel to West Virginia for the annual National Youth Science Camp, a residential science education program.

Dec. 8, 2011 - 15 South Dakota teachers earn profession’s top honor

Fifteen classroom teachers from South Dakota are among nearly 6,200 elementary and secondary school teachers nationwide to achieve National Board Certification in 2011.

Nov. 21, 2011 - Board approves bonding resolution, new programs for technical institutes

The South Dakota Board of Education approved two new programs at South Dakota’s technical institutes, as well as a facility bonding resolution during a regularly scheduled meeting today in Mitchell.

Nov. 17, 2011 - Davis-Bahcall Scholarship offers opportunities to young scientists

High school seniors and college freshmen may now apply for Davis-Bahcall Scholarships.

Nov. 10, 2011 - South Dakota students make significant gains on AP exams

More South Dakota students are taking Advanced Placement exams and are performing better on those exams, according to a report recently released by the College Board.

Nov. 1, 2011 - 2011 NAEP results: 4th grade reading scores sluggish, remaining scores above average

South Dakota’s 4th grade reading scores on the 2011 National Assessment of Educational Progress were down slightly from 2009. Scores in other others remained above the national average.

Oct. 27, 2011 - Winners of EPSCoR funds announced

Ten South Dakota organizations will receive a total of $200,000 to enhance, expand and develop new opportunities in secondary career and technical education.

Oct. 24, 2011 - Rapid City teacher receives prestigious Milken Award

Nicole Keegan, a 7th-grade science and social studies teacher at Dakota Middle School, received the surprise of a lifetime today when she was presented with a Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award.

Oct. 20, 2011 - Moller selected as 2012 South Dakota Teacher of the Year

Mitchell middle-school math teacher Patrick Moller has been selected as the 2012 South Dakota Teacher of the Year.

Oct. 7, 2011 - Funding allows for continued education efforts in Indian Country

American Indian, underrepresented, and economically disadvantaged students from across South Dakota will continue to benefit in future years from more than $30 million in federal matching grants.

July 25, 2011 - State Board of Education approves new nursing program at Southeast Tech

The South Dakota Board of Education approved a new program today that will give students at Southeast Technical Institute in Sioux Falls an opportunity to obtain an associate in applied science degree in Registered Nursing.

July 19, 2011 - State Library Board reviews LSTA fund usage

The South Dakota State Library Board approved a plan Monday to evaluate the use of Library Services and Technology Act funds.

July 14, 2011 - South Dakota gets high marks for special education, Birth to 3 services

Once again, South Dakota has received the highest rating possible under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, for both Parts B and C for fiscal year 2009. The state is one of only 20 across the nation to meet the requirements and purposes of IDEA under both Parts B and C, according to information released recently from the U.S. Department of Education.

June 29, 2011 - State to hold bar steady for school progress determinations

South Dakota schools will be playing by last year’s rules when it comes to the state issuing determinations of adequate yearly progress, or AYP, later this summer. Determination of AYP is an annual process required under No Child Left Behind.

June 28, 2011 - Grant expands to include new after-school programs

Seven organizations will receive 21st Century Community Learning Center grants for the first time this year. Another four organizations at the end of their grant cycle had funding renewed. The grants provide funding for academic enrichment opportunities for students.

June 21, 2011 - GEAR UP summer program in full swing

Director Stacy Phelps addresses students at the GEAR UP Summer Honors Program. Approximately 280 students are participating in this year’s program, which runs June 5-July 10 in Rapid City. South Dakota’s GEAR UP initiative is designed to increase the number of American Indian students that achieve success in higher education through a rigorous, pre-college enrichment program.

June 20, 2011 - Moving toward next-generation accountability

South Dakota is one of 40 states that have joined together to develop core principles for what are being called “next generation accountability systems.” The shared principles provide broad brushstrokes, but each state will determine the details of its own accountability system. View the nine core principles.

June 7, 2011 - Students awarded Hagen-Harvey scholarships

Seven Native American students have been chosen to receive Richard Hagen-Minerva Harvey Memorial Scholarships for the 2011-12 school year.

May 17, 2011 - Technical institutes a focus of state Board of Education meeting

South Dakota’s four technical institutes were a focus of the South Dakota Board of Education meeting today at the Sioux Falls Public School District’s Career and Technical Education Academy.

May 12, 2011 - St. Joseph’s School earns national recognition

St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain was honored today by the South Dakota Department of Education for winning the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s HealthierUS School Challenge Silver Award.

April 4, 2011 - First Lady to celebrate Library Week with reading tour

First Lady Linda Daugaard will celebrate South Dakota Library Week, April 10-16, by visiting several libraries across the state and reading to children.