Recent changes to ARSD 24:43:02:05 authorize the South Dakota Department of Education to equalize the distribution of accreditation reviews across a five-year time frame. The goal of this redistribution is to ensure an equitable number of school districts undergo accreditation reviews each year. This change initiated the formation of a new accreditation review schedule and may result in your school or district’s accreditation review being moved to a new five-year cycle.

The five-year cycle will be reset beginning with the 2018-19 school year. The five-year review cycles will be consistent by the 2022-23 school year. Please visit the department’s accreditation webpage for information on the proposed review cycle for school years 2018-19 to 2022-23.

Accredited schools and districts recently received a letter and assurance statement from the department regarding the new accreditation review schedule. Please complete and return the assurance statement to DOEaccred@state.sd.us.

As a reminder, periodic off-cycle checks may occur. Districts are required to comply with accreditation laws, rules and policies at all times, regardless of the review timeline.

Questions? Email doeaccred@state.sd.us.