Jan. 2017
		HOT TOPICS Proposed certification rules posted for public comment South Dakota’s certification process is being overhauled, and proposed rules are now available for public comment. Find more information on the state Board of Education’s webpage. The board will hold the first of two public hearings on the proposed changes Jan. 19. The Argus Leader recently ran an article on the proposed changes Apply for Homeland Security grant funding by Feb. 17 Applications for Homeland Security grant funding are being accepted until Feb. 17. This application period is earlier than in previous years. State and local, public and private nonprofit agencies, including public and non-public schools, are eligible to apply. Legislative session opens Jan. 10 The 2017 Legislative Session begins Jan. 10, with Gov. Daugaard’s State of the State address at 1 p.m. CST. Access South Dakota Public Broadcasting’s live coverage of the Governor’s address via their new streaming service The South Dakota Network - sd.net. House and Senate Education Committee meetings will also be streamed live throughout session via sd.net and on the SDNet app available for iOS and Android.
		Why should high school students care about Smarter Balanced scores? As schools prepare to administer this year’s statewide assessment, this is a reminder that South Dakota’s public universities accept Smarter Balanced scores as evidence of students’ readiness for credit-bearing coursework in English and math (the same way ACT scores can be used).
		Want to become an MTSS school? Apply by Feb. 3 Applications for districts to become part of the South Dakota Multi-tiered System of Supports initiative are now available on the Department of Education’s MTSS webpage. Applications are due Feb. 3.
		Enhancing RtI to Close the Gap The Dyslexia Stakeholders Group has proposed a state plan to support struggling readers, including those with dyslexia. Fred Assam Elementary submitted this article to share information about their Walk to Read program aimed at supporting readers at all levels.
		Find CPR and AED training resources on DOE website Per SDCL 13-3-91, the South Dakota Department of Education must annually make school districts aware of available resources for use in providing instruction in CPR and the use of AEDs (automated external defibrillators). These resources can be found on the department’s CPR Resources for Schools webpage.
		Native American achievement school grants awarded The South Dakota Department of Education has awarded three Native American achievement school grants. The grant program was established by Senate Bill 82 and is a result of the Native American Student Achievement Advisory Council’s work.
		Second round of classroom innovation grant recipients announced Twenty-five classroom innovation grants have been awarded to South Dakota school districts for a combined total of over $1.3 million funded by the 2016 Legislature. The purpose of the grant program is to provide funding for developing teacher training and classroom access to virtual education and customized learning tools.
		Time to submit Notice of Intent to Apply for 21st CCLC grant funding The opportunity to apply for 21st Century Community Learning Centers, or 21st CCLC, grants will be available soon. The grant application will be online, and applicants must first submit a Notice of Intent to Apply to the South Dakota Department of Education by Jan. 13, 2017.
		Upcoming Events A complete listing of events is available at GoSignMeUp. Preparing for ACCESS 2.0 Jan. 17, Watertown Jan. 18, Sioux Falls Jan. 19, Chamberlain Jan. 20, Rapid City Perkins Directors Meeting Jan. 17, Rapid City Jan. 20, Pierre Jan. 26, Sioux Falls Feb. 2, Aberdeen Board of Education Jan. 19, Pierre New & Recent Sped Director Webinar Series Jan. 23 Feb. 22 March 28 April 25 **Note: Each session of the New & Recent Sped Director Webinar Series listed is unique; not a repeat of a previous session Winter Assessment Workshops Feb. 7, Watertown Feb. 8, Sioux Falls Feb. 9, Pierre Feb. 10, Rapid City South Dakota Comprehensive School Counseling Program Model Overview Feb. 10, online Administrative Support Series Feb. 13, online March 7, online April 5, online **Note: Each session of the Administrative Support Series listed is unique; not a repeat of a previous session SD Invest Year 5 March 1, Mitchell March 2, Sioux Falls School Finance Accountability Board March 16, Pierre
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