Education Online, Dec. 2018

Dec. 2018

HOT TOPICS
Governor delivers state budget address Gov. Dennis Daugaard delivered his final budget address to state lawmakers on Dec. 4. He recommended a 2.3 percent increase in K-12 education funding. Learn more in the Governor’s Budget Report for Fiscal Year 2020. Governor-elect Kristi Noem will deliver her first State of the State Address to lawmakers Jan. 8.

School Finance Accountability Board update The Legislature’s Joint Committee on Appropriations has approved the School Finance Accountability Board’s recommendations regarding waiver requests from the FY 2018 accountability, which is centered around excess general fund cash balances. The SFAB recommended approval of two waivers and partial approval of a third. A summary report is available on DOE’s website.

Interested in MTSS? Sign up for Dec. 20 webinar DOE will be accepting applications for the 2019-20 cohort for Multi-tier System of Supports (MTSS) implementation to begin in January 2019. The MTSS initiative provides districts with the training, tools and support to implement a multi-tiered approach for meeting students’ academic and behavior needs in a proactive and positive way. DOE will host an informational webinar Dec. 20 from 10 a.m.-noon CST. Email Becky Cain for webinar login information. Learn more about MTSS on DOE’s MTSS webpage.

Submit Special Education MOE information by Dec. 21 The Department of Education emailed IDEA maintenance of effort (MOE) forms to districts on Nov. 26. The form is due back by Dec. 21. Questions? Contact Robyn Seibel.

Congratulations to ESEA Distinguished Schools
Congratulations to Rosedale Colony Elementary (Mitchell School District) and Vandenberg Elementary (Douglas School District), South Dakota’s ESEA Distinguished Schools (formerly National Title I Distinguished Schools) for the 2018-19 school year! Rosedale was recognized for exceptional student performance for two consecutive years. Vandenberg was recognized for closing the achievement gap between student groups.

National Blue Ribbon Schools honored in Washington, D.C.
Representatives from each of South Dakota’s three National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2018 attended an awards ceremony Nov. 7-8 in Washington, D.C. Congratulations to these South Dakota schools!

Armour High School
Kimball Elementary and Wall Elementary

Kimball Elementary Wall Elementary

Apply for Perkins Reserve grants
by Jan. 7

The Perkins secondary reserve grants are now open. The maximum amount, per individual award, will be $30,000. This year, those schools who are starting a new middle school program or expanding their middle school CTE programs will be awarded up to five bonus points on the scoring rubric.

2018 state Report Card now live
With all of the new data items, format and layout, the public release of the 2018 Report Card was delayed slightly, but it is now live at sdschools.sd.gov. DOE provided a high-level overview to the state Board of Education Standards at its Nov. 19 meeting.

Announcing Career Launch SD resources and upcoming webinars

The Department of Labor and Regulation encourages schools, businesses, parents and others to join the effort to increase student awareness about careers, so they can make informed decisions as they enter the workforce. To assist in this process, DLR has developed resources to assist with incorporating career information in the classroom.

Tips and resources available to make teacher evaluations more meaningful

Principals across the state have expressed interest in learning how to make evaluations more meaningful for principals and teachers. The South Dakota Department of Education has compiled some tips and resources to assist educators in this effort.

Reminder: Apply by Dec. 14 for Clean Diesel grants

The South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources is accepting applications for funding under the South Dakota Clean Diesel Grant Program and the Volkswagen Mitigation Trust. The programs provide rebates to assist in purchasing new buses to replace old, high-emitting diesel buses.

SDECE presentation proposals due Jan. 11

The South Dakota Early Childhood Education conference is seeking presentation proposals. This annual conference, to be held April 4-6 in Pierre, provides an opportunity for early childhood education professionals and their partners across the state to collaborate, network, learn and share. Presentation proposals are due Jan. 11.

Nominate a great math or science teacher for Presidential honor

The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is the nation’s highest honor for math and science (including computer science) teachers. Awardees each receive a $10,000 award and a trip to Washington, D.C. Nominations are due March 1.

Upcoming Events

A complete listing of events is available at GoSignMeUp.

ACCESS Webinars
2 webinars, each offered twice
ACCESS Administration Procedures: Dec. 6, 10, 10-11 a.m. CST
ACCESS for ELLs Paper, Online, KG, Alternate Information: Dec. 6, 10, 3:30-4:30 p.m. CST

English Learner Chats
Dec. 18

SD-STARS topical webinar
Dec. 18

New Special Education Director (0-3 years experience) webinar series
Dec. 18 (SPP/APR)
Jan. 23 (Fiscal/Budget)

English Learner Program Boot Camp (webinar series)
January-April 2019

CTE Improve 2019
Jan. 22, Rapid City
Jan. 23, Pierre
Jan. 24, Aberdeen
Jan. 28, Mitchell
Jan. 29, Sioux Falls
Jan. 30, Brookings

Board of Education Standards
Jan. 28, Pierre

National ESEA Conference (formerly National Title I Conference)
Jan. 30-Feb. 2, Kansas City

Save the Date: SD Dept. of Education Annual Conference
May 29-30, Pierre

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