Your school district may have a waiver from administrative rule that expires June 30. The list of current waivers is available on the Department of Education’s Administrative Rule Waivers webpage [http://doe.sd.gov/oatq/adminrulewaivers.aspx].

Districts with End of Course or Credit by Exam waivers set to expire will need to file an end of waiver term report [http://www.doe.sd.gov/oatq/documents/EndWaiver.pdf], and if desired, make application for a new waiver.

To learn more about administrative rule waivers or to apply/reapply for a waiver, visit the Department of Education’s Administrative Rule Waivers webpage [http://doe.sd.gov/oatq/adminrulewaivers.aspx]. Waivers from administrative rule are authorized by ARSD 24:43:08:03 [http://www.sdlegislature.gov/Rules/DisplayRule.aspx?Rule=24:43:08:03].

Please note: The district must demonstrate that any waivers from administrative rule it holds continue to be in the best interest of students. This is documented by reporting on progress through the district or school’s improvement plan. Below is a suggested template for this progress report.

For questions about waivers, please call 605-773-3426 or email doeaccred@state.sd.us.

Learner Outcome Data
Data per year of the waiver showing learner outcomes for schools that have utilized the waiver.

The South Dakota Department of Education is offering a data use course for educators this summer. The Fundamentals of Using Data for Educators course provides educators with the skills they need to analyze and use data to answer important questions to drive positive change in their classroom, school or district.

The course begins May 30 and requires a one-day face-to-face workshop as well as some online work.

Participants choose one of three locations. On-site days will be from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. local time:

• June 13, Rapid City [https://southdakota.gosignmeup.com/public/Course/browse?courseid=12526]
• June 18, Watertown [https://southdakota.gosignmeup.com/public/Course/browse?courseid=12527]
• June 19, Mitchell [https://southdakota.gosignmeup.com/public/Course/browse?courseid=12528]

Participation is free, but graduate credits are available for purchase through the University of South Dakota at a discounted rate. One credit is available for the course. Those signed up for credit will also need to register with USD. They will receive an A-F grade.

School districts must distribute Parent Involvement Surveys to parents of children with disabilities by April 30. The South Dakota Department of Education sent the surveys to districts in the fall. If needed, additional copies are available by contacting Beth Schiltz at 605-773-4257.

Note: The department's Office of Special Education was informed that question #1 on the paper version of parent surveys has the incorrect year printed. Please notify all district special education staff of the error and have them write on the survey “2018-2019” prior to distributing to parents.

In collaboration with South Dakota Parent Connection, the Parent Involvement Survey is also made available online. The Parent Connection will assist parents in reading and completing the survey as needed. The online survey can be found at the following links:

• www.surveymonkey.com/s/Q6JW6HJ (English)
• www.surveymonkey.com/s/MJNWNVJ (Spanish)

The South Dakota State Library has opened the annual school library survey to collect data for the 2018-19 school year. Each district is asked to submit one survey per district rather than one survey per library. The survey is available online through May 4. Superintendents should have received notification of survey access details via email on March 4.

The State Library is charged with collecting annual data from the state’s school libraries (14-1-44 (7) Execution of State Library Policy) [http://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&Statute=14-1-44].

The State Library will compile survey data and report back to superintendents in fall 2019, so that districts can use the data to inform decision-making and planning. Previous data digests are available on the State Library’s Publications webpage [http://www.library.sd.gov/SDSL/publications/index.aspx#Reports].

Research shows that effective school libraries result in higher student achievement, which can be measured by improved reading scores. Effective school libraries have a high quality program, place, and professional who collaborates with and supports all content areas in delivering curriculum and meeting state content standards.

Questions? Email Alissa Adams [Alissa.adams@state.sd.us] or call 605-295-3152.

The State Library recognizes schools with libraries that meet the characteristics of a 21st Century school library through their program, place, and professional. School librarians are encouraged to apply for this special recognition.

To apply:

1. Complete the self-assessment tool [http://library.sd.gov/LIB/SLC/index.aspx#Guidelines]. School libraries that score 75 points or higher may proceed to Step 2. While school libraries that don’t meet the threshold of 75 points are not eligible to apply for the award, there is still benefit to completing the self-assessment. It is intended to be an informative tool to help guide decisions about school libraries and professional practices. The self-assessment can also be used as an advocacy tool with administrators, staff, school boards, and the public.
2. Fill out the formal application [http://library.sd.gov/LIB/SLC/21stCentAward.aspx#.VtWLVLx-yK0].

The statewide mentoring program provides a first-year teacher access to a mentor teacher for a period of two years and participation in a summer academy following the first and second year of employment.

This is an excellent opportunity for experienced South Dakota teachers (current and retired) to share their skills and help guide beginning teachers. In addition, through this program, South Dakota’s newest teachers will be supported and welcomed into the education community.

Requirements have also been established for districts that would like to receive funding to handle mentoring locally.

Visit the mentoring program’s webpage [http://doe.sd.gov/mentoring/] to learn more and find the following:

• Applications for new mentors and first-year teachers
• Program information for second-year participants

Those who are already participating in the program are not required to complete a new application.

Special Education Advisory Panel
April 3 [https://boardsandcommissions.sd.gov/Meetings.aspx?BoardID=16]

SD Early Childhood Education Conference
April 4-6, Pierre
[http://sdececonference-org.doodlekit.com/home]

SD School Library EdCamp
April 6, Rapid City and Sioux Falls
[https://schlibedcampsd.weebly.com/]

TIE Conference
April 7-9, Rapid City
[https://web.cvent.com/event/69c7f2ce-957d-47bf-98ad-82d5efe3e286/summary]

Title Programs Wednesday Café
April 17
[https://doe.sd.gov/title/]

Consolidated Application Learning Series
April 17, online
April 24, online
May 1, online

SD-STARS topical webinar
April 24

Accreditation Support Training
April 25, Mitchell
May 1, Pierre

State Historical Society History Conference
April 26-27, Pierre
[https://history.sd.gov/aboutus/eventsanded.aspx]

Norms for English Learners Webinar Workshop
May 6 and May 13
[https://sdtitle3.org/eventbrite-event/norms-webinar-may-6-part-1-and-may-13-part-2/]

Board of Education Standards
May 20, Brookings
[http://doe.sd.gov/board/]

SD Dept. of Education Annual Conference
May 29-30, Pierre
[https://doe.sd.gov/title/2019-conference/index.aspx]

Civil Rights Regulations in the Educational Setting
June 10, Rapid City
June 12, Watertown

MTSS Summer Conference
June 11-12, Oacoma
[https://doe.sd.gov/pressroom/educationonline/2019/April/documents/2019-MTSS.pdf]

The Fundamentals of Using Data for Educators
June 13, Rapid City
June 18, Watertown
June 19, Mitchell

Save the Date! Indian Education Summit
Sept. 22-24, Pierre