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.

Read more at http://doe.sd.gov/cte/documents/PerkinsReserve2.pdf.

Career Launch SD was established under the leadership of Governor Dennis Daugaard to increase student awareness about career opportunities in their communities and help meet South Dakota’s demand for a skilled workforce. 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.

Career Launch SD Work-Based Learning Toolkit
The Career Launch SD Career Advisors have created and assembled the material found in the new Career Launch SD Work-Based Learning Toolkit [https://dlr.sd.gov/workforce_services/individuals/career_launch/toolkit.aspx] to serve as an additional resource for educators as they assist students with career awareness and exploration. Find grab-and-go lesson plans relating to soft skills and career exploration, as well as guides and forms to start or supplement districts’ job shadow and internship programs.

Work-Based Learning Toolkit Webinars
Please join DLR’s Career Program Coordinator Crystal Trevino on Dec. 12, as she gives a brief overview of the new Career Launch SD Work-Based Learning Toolkit [https://dlr.sd.gov/workforce_services/individuals/career_launch/toolkit.aspx]. She will host two live webinars that day, one at 10 a.m. CST and one at 2 p.m. CST. The two webinars will be identical except for the Q&A sessions at the end. One session will be recorded for those unable to attend one of the live events. Find Skype and call-in information below:

• Join via Skype [https://meet.lync.com/stateofsouthdakota/mackenzie.decker/7BPN6MQM] or
• Join by phone
  • 1-866-410-8397
  • Conference ID: 4635624009

DOE’s Work-Based Learning webpage
The South Dakota Department of Education also has additional useful work-based learning resources on its Work-Based Learning webpage [https://doe.sd.gov/octe/wbl.aspx].

Labor Department provides $510,000 to expand apprenticeships
The Department of Labor and Regulation recently announced $510,000 in incentive funding [http://news.sd.gov/newsitem.aspx?id=23973] to help businesses expand the number of pre-apprenticeships and Registered Apprenticeships in South Dakota.

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:

• Use the evaluation process to coach teachers for growth
• SLOs (student learning objectives) seem to be more meaningful when:
  • They last the entire year (or at least a semester)
  • They include all students in a class (usually with a differentiated goal)
  • Teachers collaborate when determining areas of focus
  • Teachers and principals regularly talk about the SLOs
• Frontline has helped streamline the evaluation process for school districts. Districts now can customize evaluation plans and forms to tailor the process to their specific needs.

Focus for Teachers training and resources
All South Dakota public school districts have access to in-depth, high-quality training on the state's teaching standards (Danielson Framework) and how the standards are used for evaluation purposes. Teachers can access approximately 20 hours of training through Focus for Teachers. Administrators could also assign a single, component-specific course to a teacher. With a state-paid license, South Dakota teachers receive comprehensive training on the South Dakota Framework for Teaching.

• Continuing education contact hours are available for teachers who complete courses (needs district approval)
• Questions? Contact Matt Gill [matthew.gill@state.sd.us] for information on how to access the Danielson training videos for teachers.

• Completion of the training certifies administrators to observe and evaluate using the Danielson model
• Administrators can also “calibrate” any time. Calibration is an online solution for maintaining scoring accuracy when applying the Framework for Teaching (Danielson) Evaluation instrument to teaching practice.
• Questions? Contact Matt Gill [matthew.gill@state.sd.us] for a Focus for Observers account.

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.

The primary goals of the programs are to reduce students’ exposure to pollution and to facilitate the improvement and protection of the ambient air quality throughout South Dakota.

Initially, there will be approximately $280,000 of Diesel Emissions Reduction Act funds available for the projects. If the 2019 South Dakota Legislature gives spending authority for the Volkswagen Mitigation Trust, an additional $837,000 will be available.

The South Dakota programs will provide rebates to help public schools, non-public schools, state special schools, approved educational programs, shuttle or transit system providers and school bus contractors purchase new buses to replace old, high-emitting diesel buses.

Total rebate per replacement bus will be up to 25 percent of the purchase price of a 2018 engine model year or newer engine certified to EPA emission standards, 35 percent of the purchase price of a 2018 engine model year or newer engine certified to meet CARB’s Low-NOx standards, or 45 percent of the purchase price of an all-electric bus. DENR intends to award funds to as many eligible applicants throughout the state as possible.

The application deadline for initial consideration is Dec. 14. More information is available on DENR’s Clean Diesel Grant Program webpage [http://denr.sd.gov/des/aq/aadera.aspx]. Questions? Contact the DENR Air Quality office at 605-773-3151.

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.

Read more at https://doe.sd.gov/pressroom/educationonline/2018/Dec/documents/SDECE.pdf.

The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching program was established in 1983 by the White House and is sponsored by the National Science Foundation. The award is the nation’s highest honor for math and science (including computer science) teachers. The program identifies outstanding math and science teachers in all 50 states and four U.S. jurisdictions.

Awardees each receive a $10,000 award, a paid trip for two to Washington, D.C., to attend a week-long series of networking opportunities and recognition events, and a special citation signed by the President of the United States.

This year’s cycle will recognize outstanding secondary teachers in grades 7-12. Please take the time to nominate an outstanding math and/or science (including computer science) teacher for this prestigious award. Nominations can be completed online at www.paemst.org. Submit your nomination by March 1, 2019. Nominees would then need to complete their applications by May 1.

In addition, applicants can earn three CEUs at the same time. To be eligible, a PAEMST candidate must complete all components of the application process and submit a scorable application that can be sent on to the state selection committee. All applicants submitting a scorable application will earn credit, not just the state finalists whose materials get sent on to a national selection panel.

The PAEMST application consists of three components: Administrative, Narrative and Video. The components allow the applicant to provide evidence of deep content knowledge and exemplary pedagogical skills that result in improved student learning. After eligibility is confirmed and technical specifications are met, each application will be evaluated using the following five Dimensions of Outstanding Teaching:

• Mastery of math or science content appropriate for the grade level taught
• Use of instructional methods and strategies that are appropriate for students in the class and that support student learning
• Effective use of student assessments to evaluate, monitor and improve student learning
• Reflective practice and lifelong learning to improve teaching and student learning
• Leadership in education outside the classroom

If you have questions about this program, please contact:
Allen Hogie, SD PAEMST Mathematics Coordinator, Allen.Hogie@k12.sd.us
Jennifer Fowler, SD PAEMST Science Coordinator, Jennifer.Fowler@k12.sd.us

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 [http://www.doe.sd.gov/pressroom/educationonline/2018/dec/documents/ACCESS-Webinar-Schedule.pdf]

English Learner Chats
Dec. 18 [https://doe.sd.gov/title/documents/18-ELwebinar.pdf]

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 [http://doe.sd.gov/board/]

National ESEA Conference (formerly National Title I Conference)
Jan. 30-Feb. 2, Kansas City [https://www.eseanetwork.org/conference]

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