Education Online, Oct. 2018

Oct. 2018

HOT TOPICS
Teacher Compensation Review Board final report available The report of the Teacher Compensation Review Board is now available on the state’s Boards and Commissions website [https://boardsandcommissions.sd.gov/]. Follow the links for “Teacher Compensation Review Board” – then “08/29/2018 Meeting” and “Report: Final.” The board is charged with reviewing teacher compensation in the surrounding states every three years and to report its findings to the Governor and Legislature.

Proactive admissions, college readiness coursework letters coming in October The South Dakota Department of Education will again send letters to public school students for two initiatives: proactive admissions and college readiness coursework. The target date to mail the letters is the week of Oct. 15. The letters were not sent out sooner because ACT scores from last year’s administration(s) became available later than usual. ACT is now including the July test administration in its compilation of scores. Proactive admissions Through the proactive admissions initiative, the South Dakota Department of Education reaches out to qualifying South Dakota high school students in the fall of their senior year to alert them that they have already met criteria for guaranteed general acceptance into the state’s six public universities and four technical institutes. Guaranteed general acceptance is automatic eligibility for admission into any of South Dakota’s six public universities and four technical institutes, based on Smarter Balanced test or ACT scores. South Dakota students who earn a Level 3 or 4 on the English language arts and math portions of the 11th grade Smarter Balanced test or an ACT composite score of 18 or higher earn guaranteed general acceptance into the South Dakota public university or technical institute of their choice. (Note: South Dakota School of Mines & Technology requires 18 in English and 20 in math on the ACT.) College readiness coursework College readiness coursework, provided by the Department of Education, includes courses intended to assist high school seniors who need continued support in developing the skills necessary to enroll in credit-bearing coursework at the postsecondary level. Students who scored at a Level 2 on the 11th grade Smarter Balanced test or had an ACT English sub-score below 18/math sub-score below 20 are eligible for this opportunity. Coursework can be completed in one of two ways: online through the South Dakota Virtual School, or a school district can offer the coursework as a face-to-face option with a highly qualified math or English teacher supporting the students. Online college readiness coursework ranges in cost from $125 to $175. However, if students complete the coursework, they can be reimbursed for the full cost. Website: https://sdvs.k12.sd.us/Students/CollegeReadiness.aspx It is possible for a student to receive both proactive admissions and college readiness coursework letters. This happens when a student has an ACT composite score of 18 or higher but either their ACT English subscore is below 18 or their ACT math subscore is below 20. The department encourages districts to talk with students and parents about college readiness coursework. Based on numbers from the last two years, there are many more students who would benefit from the program than are taking advantage of the program. For more information on proactive admissions, check out the Proactive Admissions page on SDMyLife [http://sdmylife.com/prepping-for-college/proactive-admissions]. There is also a College Readiness Courses page on SDMyLife [http://sdmylife.com/prepping-for-college/college-readiness-courses]. SD-STARS reports To help districts identify which students received the proactive admissions and/or college readiness coursework letters, there is a report in SD-STARS called S0.002.00-A – Proactive Admission and Remedial Coursework. The report provides a list of students who were considered and those who qualified for proactive admissions and/or college readiness coursework. The report is found under the “Student Outcomes Report” category in the Reports menu within SD-STARS. Users with the following permissions will be able to see the report: school principal, school management, district superintendent, district management and district assessment. This report will be updated for the 2018-19 school year in early October, about the time the letters are sent. The report helps users answer questions like, “Which of my students qualify for proactive admissions?” or “Which of my students qualify for college readiness coursework?” It contains a student list with basic demographic information, test scores and indicators for whether a student qualifies for proactive admissions or college readiness coursework. Addresses are included to show where the letters were sent.

Native Americans’ Day Oct. 8
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 [https://doe.sd.gov/ContentStandards/documents/18-OSEUs.pdf], including elder interviews [http://www.wolakotaproject.org/video-interviews/], OSEU exemplar lessons in several content areas and grade levels [https://www.wolakotaproject.org/oseu-exemplar-lesson-development/] and much more.

OSEU trainings for 4th grade teachers coming in December

The South Dakota Department of Education has scheduled trainings for 4th grade teachers to gain an understanding of how Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings resources developed in recent years can be used to support efforts in implementing culturally responsive instruction. Please share the following dates and registration links with your 4th grade teachers:
- Dec. 3, Rapid City [https://southdakota.gosignmeup.com/public/Course/browse?courseid=12481]
- Dec. 5, Sioux Falls [https://southdakota.gosignmeup.com/public/Course/browse?courseid=12475]
Over the last few years, the department has partnered with TIE to bring together South Dakota teachers and elders to create sample lessons using state core content standards and the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings and Standards.

This past summer, a group of teachers came together to develop lessons connecting 4th grade social studies and OSEU standards. The 4th grade lessons and other lessons and resources are posted on the OSEU Exemplar Lesson website [https://www.wolakotaproject.org/oseu-exemplar-lesson-development/]. The lessons are framed using an inquiry design model and are organized in a table by OSEU and content area.

South Dakota Public Broadcasting [http://www.sdpb.org/nativeamerican/] is also in the process of creating a new video series focused on Native American studies. The videos will be completed soon.

Three SD schools named National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2018
Across the country, 300 public schools and 49 private schools have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2018 [https://www2.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/awards.html]. 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. 7-8. Congratulations to these South Dakota honorees!

Armour High School
Kimball Elementary
Wall Elementary

Board takes action to eliminate paraprofessional rules

In September, the South Dakota Board of Education Standards [https://doe.sd.gov/board/] took action to eliminate rules that would have required paraprofessionals to earn a permit. While the requirements in Administrative Rule have been eliminated, Title I schools that have paraprofessionals will still need to meet certain requirements that will be monitored through the Title I process. These requirements will be similar to what was required under previous federal “highly qualified” rules.

Governor proclaims October Dyslexia Awareness Month

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month [ https://sdsos.gov/general-information/executive-actions/gubernatorial-proclamations/search/Document.aspx?CabId=523E2A2A&DocGuid=20180814-2031-4706-9152-92fe4285eb7f]. The Dyslexia Handbook for Teachers and Parents in South Dakota [http://doe.sd.gov/Dyslexia/documents/Handbook-17.pdf] is available 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. Find links to the handbook, a brochure [https://doe.sd.gov/Dyslexia/documents/Brochure.pdf] and many other resources on DOE's Dyslexia webpage [https://doe.sd.gov/Dyslexia].

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 Nov. 9. Find more information on the Department of Education’s National School Lunch/Breakfast Programs webpage [http://doe.sd.gov/cans/nslp.aspx], under “Equipment Grants.”

stock photo of string tied around finger

Reminder: Complete data submission for PRF by Oct. 15

The Personnel Record Form, or PRF, is open. Districts are required to provide a variety of staffing information via this online tool. Accuracy of the data is very important. Information in the PRF is used for state, district and school report cards, data requests, federal reporting and teacher compensation reports for public schools. The deadline to submit PRF data is Oct. 15.

It is important to log into the system via http://doe.sd.gov/prf. Click on “PRF Log-in Screen,” then select DE69PERS to enter SY 2019 staffing data.

Review and update the PRF with any changes in staffing, FTEs, salaries, assignments, etc. Review plans of intent for accuracy. Please note that it is critical for this fall’s PRF process to occur in a timely manner, as teacher compensation data will be undergoing legislative review.

Note: Due to the timeline of the legislative review process, no deadline extensions will be granted this year.

Encourage teachers to participate in content and bias review for SD Science Assessment

The South Dakota Department of Education is seeking science and special education teachers to help with content and bias review for the South Dakota Science Assessment. Educators will work with content specialists from Questar to review new assessment items written specifically for the SDSA to ensure accuracy, grade-level appropriateness, alignment to South Dakota’s science standards, and potential bias and sensitivity concerns.

A key part of the development of the SDSA is the inclusion of educators who understand the students, curriculum and people of South Dakota. The inclusion of South Dakota educators makes this truly South Dakota’s test. Participants for this activity will be placed in one of 3 groups: grade 5, grade 8 or grade 11. Each group will meet on a specific day to review the assessment items.

Who: Science and special education teachers from elementary, middle and high school

When and where:

5th grade: Nov. 13, 8 a.m. CST, Pierre
11th grade: Nov. 14, 8 a.m. CST, Pierre
8th grade: Nov. 15, 8 a.m. CST, Pierre

Participants will be reimbursed for mileage, meals, hotel and substitute teachers.

The application [https://doe.sd.gov/Assessment/documents/EdOppotunity-App.docx] deadline is Oct. 19.

Find more information on the Department of Education website [http://doe.sd.gov/Assessment/Educators.aspx].

Nominate students for U.S. Presidential Scholars program by Oct. 26

Nominate academically outstanding 12th graders for this distinct recognition by Oct. 26. This year South Dakota can nominate up to 10 male and 10 female students in the traditional Scholars program. Additionally, up to five CTE students can be nominated. Here’s a nomination checklist [https://doe.sd.gov/scholarships/documents/Checklist-USPSP.pdf]. Learn more and submit nominations on the South Dakota Department of Education's U.S. Presidential Scholars Program webpage [https://doe.sd.gov/scholarships/USPSP.aspx].

New early childhood website live

The SDStepAhead website [http://sdstepahead.com/] is now live. SDStepAhead is a comprehensive early childhood initiative that aims to promote healthy child development by educating, inspiring and assisting parents and caregivers. The site features developmentally appropriate goals for children’s development and learning at each age level (infant, toddler and preschooler) as well as ideas for helping them reach their full potential at each stage.

State Library seeking input on five-year strategic plan

The South Dakota State Library is seeking input as it develops a new five-year strategic plan. All South Dakota residents, including school administrators, school board members and teachers, are invited to complete a planning survey [https://library.sd.gov/CAL/2018/sdsl-5yrsurvey.aspx] and participate in an upcoming webinar [https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2923716161139663106] and forums.

Upcoming Events

Except where otherwise noted, details on the following events are available at GoSignMeUp [http://southdakota.gosignmeup.com/].

SDMyLife: Next Generation
Oct. 3, Sioux Falls
Oct. 4, Rapid City
Oct. 15, Watertown
Oct. 16, Pierre
Oct. 22, morning webinar
Oct. 22, afternoon webinar
Oct. 23, morning webinar
Oct. 23, afternoon webinar

Annual Community Response to Child Abuse Conference
Oct. 4-5, Sioux Falls
[https://www.sdcpcm.com/conference/]

Supporting Early Learners Institute
Oct. 11-12, Sioux Falls
[http://supportingearlylearners.doodlekit.com/]

Pre-Appeal Webinar for Accountability
Oct. 11
Oct. 16
Oct. 18

English Learner Chats
Oct. 16
Nov. 20
[https://doe.sd.gov/title/documents/18-ELwebinar.pdf]

Systems Change annual conference,
featuring Teacher of the Year Banquet
Oct. 17-19, Sioux Falls
[http://systemschange.net/]

Title Programs Wednesday Café
Oct. 17
Nov. 14
[https://doe.sd.gov/title/]

New Special Education Director
(0-3 years experience) Webinar Series
Oct. 18 (Child Count)
Nov. 20 (Dispute Resolution)
Dec. 18 (SPP/APR)
Jan. 23 (Fiscal/Budget)

School Counselor Best Practices Share Session
Oct. 23, Rapid City
Oct. 25, Sioux Falls

Accountability and Data Road Show
Nov. 7, Fort Pierre
Nov. 8, Rapid City
Nov. 14, Brandon
Nov. 15, Watertown

Dakota TESL Conference
Nov. 15-16, Fargo, ND
[https://doe.sd.gov/pressroom/educationonline/2018/Oct/documents/TESOL2.pdf]

Board of Education Standards
Nov. 19, Sioux Falls
[http://doe.sd.gov/board/]

ACCESS 2.0 Assessment Workshop
Nov. 26, Pierre
Nov. 29, Sioux Falls

Formative Language Assessment
Nov. 27-28, Sioux Falls

STARS Account Manager online training
Nov. 28

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