The end of the school year is fast approaching. As part of that process, it is time to collect the Title I data for the 2012-13 school year. The Title I department will be extracting as much information from Infinite Campus (IC) as possible for federal reporting again this year. To ensure accuracy, the Title I teacher/coordinator must work with the district IC data staff member to ensure all of the Title I participation information is accurate. Please double check with them as soon as possible, as this information will be used to generate reports to the US Department of Education.

Please note that while most of the data will be extracted from IC, some will still need to be submitted via a separate report. This information will include staffing information, private school information, homeless student information, and N&D information. Betsy Chapman will be emailing the Title I Annual Report to Superintendents and Title I contacts the week of May 6th. If you normally help complete this report and did not get it, please contact your Superintendent or let Betsy know through email that you need it: Betsy.chapman@state.sd.us or by phone: (605) 773-4712. The reports will need to be completed no later than May 30, 2013.

The SD Department of Education’s Committee of Practitioners is currently seeking additional members. The Committee meets twice a year. The meetings are held in the fall and in June with phone meetings as required. This advisory committee provides input for the Department by reviewing proposed or final state rules, regulations, and providing comments to the Department. Recent items of discussion were: ESEA Waiver and Waiver Amendments, Academy of Pace Setting Districts, Focus and Priority School Guidance, and updates on all Title I program area.

The committee is composed of twelve to fifteen members as necessary. As this is an advisory committee, members are not compensated for their time, however, all expenses are paid. The committee must be composed of administrators, teachers, vocational educators, parents, school board members, private school representatives, and pupil services personnel (i.e. counselors). The Committee seeks membership from across the state and from large and small districts.

Additional persons are needed to fill various positions on the committee. A current list of the members may be found at http://doe.sd.gov/oess/cop.aspx The Committee wishes to have additional appointees in place as soon as possible. Self-nominations are appropriate or districts may wish to nominate someone to the position. The Department Secretary has final authority on nominations.

To find an application and committee guidelines go to doe.sd.gov/oess/cop.aspx

The Committee is defined in ESEA Section 1903(b) and Title I Section 1111(c)(11).

The SDDOE is hosting an ELL/Migrant Education Conference on June 12th -13th, 2013 at Cedar Shores, Oacoma, SD. Dr. Catherine Collier will be our Keynote Presenter with additional presentations from Mary Diaz, Imagine Learning, MMERC, and Pearson. Registration is free to attend and some meals will be provided. A College Credit will be offered at the participants’ expense.

This conference is aimed at providing strategies to assist teachers that have ELL and Migrant students in their classrooms.

For more information please contact Jenifer Palmer or Shannon Malone at (605) 773-6400. To register go to: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEExX01tRjhxLV85U1JpRmhrVXl0cWc6MA#gid=0

The Division of Educational Services and Support, through the federally-funded Title III English Language Acquisition Program, will reimburse undergraduate and graduate tuition up to $1100/teacher for up to 10 teachers who successfully complete the coursework. For the spring/summer 2013 semester, courses are provided by Augustana College. At this time, the SDDOE will only be able to reimburse each of the 10 teachers that are selected for one, three - credit course per semester. Priority will be given to teacher’s geographic location of the district and needs of district with ELL students. Any remaining openings after the two priorities will be drawn by lottery. Cost to participants will be Internet access, tuition over the amount allowed by DESS, books and incidentals.

If you would like to register, please contact your district business manager or superintendent to receive approval and provide them with information regarding these classes that are listed on the Course Registration Authorization form.

If you would like to learn more about these classes, please contact Sharon Andrews at Augustana College.

Applications for tuition reimbursement will only be accepted until May 3, 2013.