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Gov. Daugaard signs education reform bills Gov. Dennis Daugaard has signed the components of his education proposal - HB 1182, SB 131 and SB 133 – into law. HB 1182 increases the sales tax by a half-penny to help increase average teacher salary. SB 131 reforms the school funding formula. SB 133 includes a number of proposals to recruit and retain more teachers and to create new opportunities for school efficiency. |
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TEACHER FEATURE: South Dakota awash in a linguistic ocean Kathy Keffeler (right) is a world languages teacher in the Douglas School District. For two weeks in February, she hosted Dr. Adriana Rabino as part of the Visiting Uruguayan Educator Program.  |
Individuals needed to serve on OSEU & health standards work groups
South Dakota will review standards in several content areas this summer. Applications, meeting schedules and work group expectations are now available for those interested in reviewing the following content standards. K-12 and postsecondary educators, business and industry representatives and parents are encouraged to apply.
• Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings and Standards (Apply by March 24)
• Health Education (Apply by April 20)
In 2013, the South Dakota Legislature established the Workforce Education Fund through SB 235. Part of that fund, up to $1.5 million, was designated to provide grants for CTE programs in secondary schools. Grant applications are now available.
The Museum of the South Dakota State Historical Society offers a gallery class entitled Lewis and Clark’s South Dakota Experience to 4th graders in April. And teachers of all grades are encouraged to bring their students to the museum any time, including for end-of-year field trips. Make your plans today!
Math and science teachers honored at annual conference
The 24th Annual Joint Professional Development Conference of the South Dakota Science Teachers Association & South Dakota Council of Teachers of Mathematics was held Feb. 4-6, in Huron. A number of outstanding math and science educators were honored. Congratulations!
At its February meeting, the South Dakota Commission on Teaching and Learning started examining alternative certification requirements. The commission seeks to ensure this certification is sufficiently rigorous without creating barriers to entering the profession.
Two more external evaluations have declared Smarter Balanced to be a high quality test strongly aligned with South Dakota’s math and English language arts standards. The Smarter Balanced high school test received the highest possible ratings.
All educators are welcome to participate in this free event on April 2, co-sponsored by the State Library and the SD Library Association. EdCamp is an “unconference” where attendees collaborate to plan the learning and teaching. The day will start with some basic information on makerspaces. Find more info on the State Library website.
A complete listing of events is available at GoSignMeUp.
TIE Conference
April 10-12, Sioux Falls
Fine Arts Standards Implementation
April 17-May 1, online and various locations statewide
Perkins Data Collection Training
April 20, Pierre
April 21, Aberdeen
April 25, Rapid City
April 27, Mitchell
April 28, Sioux Falls
SLO Refresher Trainings for Teachers
April-June, various locations statewide
SD State Historical Society History Conference
April 29-30, Pierre
Board of Education
May 16, Aberdeen
MVPA Maximized! (for physical education/physical activity educators)
June 1, Pierre
June 2, Oacoma
2016 Summer Education Conference
June 28-29, Chamberlain
Top 20 Training
July 18-19, Rapid City
July 20-21, Sioux Falls
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