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| 2015-16 Report Card schedule available
The South Dakota Department of Education is looking ahead to the release of the State Report Card later this year. The tentative schedule for release of the 2015-16 Report Card is now available.  |
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Apply for Classroom Innovation Grants by May 31
Senate Bill 133 from the 2016 Legislature included an ongoing appropriation of $1 million to provide Classroom Innovation Grants to public schools. The purpose of the program is to provide funding for developing teacher training and classroom access to virtual education and customized learning tools. Learn more on the Department of Education website. |
| Proposed rule changes available for public comment
The state Board of Education will hold a public hearing on a proposed rule change related to school accountability at its May 16 meeting. The proposed change calls for holding school classifications currently in place in South Dakota steady for another year (throughout the 2016-17 school year). Visit the board’s webpage to learn more; look under the “Rules” subhead. |
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Update Personnel Record Form by June 10
The Personnel Record Form database is open, and the deadline to make changes is June 10. As the Department of Education plans for the release of the State Report Card, it is important to be sure information in the PRF database reflects the most accurate information for your district. |
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Update: National Board Certification stipends
As reported previously, Gov. Dennis Daugaard and the 2016 Legislature approved a K-12 education package that, among other things, reinstated the stipends for South Dakota public school teachers and counselors who seek National Board Certification. More details on these stipends are now available. |
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Questions as you prepare to hand out diplomas?
As districts work with transcripts to make sure students are on track for graduation, a reminder that the Department of Education recently issued an updated version of the High School Graduation Requirements Handbook. It is organized in a Q & A format and includes an infographic that provides an “at a glance” summary of requirements. |
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Scholarships available for paraprofessionals in select districts
Senate Bill 81, passed by the 2016 Legislature, establishes a tuition assistance scholarship program for paraprofessionals working in qualifying South Dakota schools. The purpose of the program is to help these individuals earn their teaching degrees and, ultimately, state certification. Find more information on the Office of Indian Education website. |
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Dyslexia work group to meet this summer
A work group will meet this summer to examine strategies for providing South Dakota educators and pre-service teachers with tools to help identify and serve students with dyslexia. The group will also update South Dakota’s Dyslexia Handbook. The group’s first meeting will be June 14 in Pierre. |
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Nominate your district’s Bus Driver of the Year
The South Dakota School Transportation Association is looking for nominations for Bus Driver of the Year. In addition, districts can recognize drivers for 25 years or more of service, and districts can also recognize drivers who are retiring. |
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National AfterSchool Association honors DOE employee
The National AfterSchool Association has named Sue Burgard one of the Most Influential People in State and Local Government. According to the association, honorees were chosen because their service, research and action in local government influence and affect large numbers of children and families. Congratulations, Sue! |
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Upcoming Events A complete listing of events is available at GoSignMeUp. Title Programs Wednesday Café May 11, online Board of Education May 16, Aberdeen Principal Effectiveness webinar May 18 Advanced Data Use Skills for Educators May 30-July 13, online Providing Evidence-Based Feedback/Communication and Data Analysis for Administrators June 20-24, various locations statewide Civil Rights Regulations in the Educational Setting June 21, Rapid City June 23, Watertown 2016 Summer Education Conference June 28-29, Chamberlain Fundamentals of Using Data for Educators July 5-Aug. 19, online (and one face-to-face workshop) Boot Camp 2016: Primary Sources in the 21st Century School Library July 18-21, Pierre The GO TO Strategies Workshop July 25, Sioux Falls July 26, Oacoma Principal Effectiveness Training: Transitioning from the Planning Year into the Implementation Year July 25-28, various locations statewide New format in 2016! Indian Education Summit Sept. 25-27, Pierre |
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©2016 S.D. Department of Education, 800 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501 - (605) 773-3134