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Attendance connected to proficiency in math and ELA
The Department of Education is digging into 2017 Report Card data and finding a strong connection between attendance and proficiency on the state test in math and English language arts. “It’s common sense, and the data reinforces the message—when students miss school, they miss out on vital learning opportunities,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Melody Schopp.  |
| Proactive admission gets state and national media attention
South Dakota’s new proactive admissions initiative, which grants guaranteed general acceptance into South Dakota’s public universities and technical institutes to students with qualifying Smarter Balanced test or ACT scores, is garnering significant attention:
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New! Guide to Inspiring Partnerships Between Home and School
The Department of Education announces a new tool for educators to help in establishing and maintaining meaningful, trusting relationships with parents and families: The South Dakota Guide to Inspiring Partnerships Between Home and School. It is made up of two components: a guide that corresponds to tools in a toolkit and the five-section toolkit with links to resources. |
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Native Americans’ Day Oct. 9
Resources abound at WoLakotaProject.org to help K-12 educators across South Dakota incorporate Native American culture and history into their teaching year-round, across all grade levels and content areas. Find resources aligned to the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings and Standards, including elder interviews, sample OSEU-aligned social studies lessons and much more. |
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Applications open for NSLP equipment grants
Grants are available for schools in need of funding to purchase equipment to serve healthier meals, improve food safety and expand access. Applications are due Oct. 27. Find more information on the Department of Education’s National School Lunch/Breakfast Programs webpage, under “Fiscal Year 2017 Equipment Assistance Grants.” |
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Governor proclaims October Dyslexia Awareness Month
Gov. Dennis Daugaard has proclaimed October Dyslexia Awareness Month. Earlier this year, The Dyslexia Handbook for Teachers and Parents in South Dakota was updated. The handbook is intended to help parents and educators learn more about dyslexia and includes additional resources for teachers to access if they suspect a student may have dyslexia. |
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Three SD schools named National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2017
Across the country, 292 public schools and 50 private schools have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2017. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Honorees will be celebrated with an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 6-7. Congratulations to these South Dakota honorees!
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School Wellness Policy Training Oct. 26 in Pierre
The school health program in the South Dakota Departments of Education and Health, in collaboration with Action For Healthy Kids, will offer training designed to provide continued support to schools/districts as they work to comply with the new wellness policy rules and to help schools/districts strengthen and effectively implement their wellness policies. |
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Upcoming Events A complete listing of events is available at GoSignMeUp. SDMyLife Student View for New Users Oct. 4, webinar SDMyLife Portfolio Administrator View for New Users Oct. 11, webinar Title Programs Wednesday Café Oct. 11, webinar Nov. 8, webinar School Counselor Best Practices Share Session Oct. 12, Sioux Falls Oct. 19, Rapid City SD-STARS Training for Data STARS Oct. 12, Rapid City Oct. 17, Sioux Falls Oct. 23, Aberdeen SD-STARS Training for STARS Account Managers Oct. 12, Rapid City Oct. 17, Sioux Falls Oct. 23, Aberdeen Effective Instruction for Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education Oct. 16, Watertown (for Statewide Title III members only) Oct. 17, Mitchell (for teachers of English learners and content teachers) Systems Change Annual conference, featuring Teacher of the Year Banquet Oct. 18-20, Rapid City SD-STARS monthly webinar Oct. 25 Explicit Instruction: What do administrators need to know? Oct. 25, Rapid City Oct. 26, Sioux Falls School Wellness Policy Training Oct. 26, Pierre New Special Ed Directors Webinar Series Oct. 30 Nov. 14 Dec. 12 Jan. 23, 2018 Dakota TESL Conference Nov. 8-9, Sioux Falls Board of Education Standards Nov. 20, Sioux Falls |
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©2017 S.D. Department of Education, 800 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501 - (605) 773-3134