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Major
rule changes made by South Dakota Board of Education in March
The South Dakota Board of Education adopted a 72-page chapter
of administrative rule implementing the state’s new accountability system at
its March meeting; it also changed administrative rules related to
certification of school administrators, certification of school social
workers, school bus standards. A review of the actions follows:
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Board of Education adopts
state accountability system rules
As authorized by the state Legislature in SDCL
13-3-69,
the Board of Education adopted chapter 24:42 State Accountability System
on March 15. The rules implement the accountability system established by the
Legislature in 2003 in response to the requirements of the federal No Child
Left Behind Act of 2001.
The rules set forth several
definitions, including “accountability system,” “adequate yearly progress,”
“full academic year,” and the five student groups used for disaggregation of
data, including “all,” “economically disadvantaged,” major racial and ethic
groups, students with disabilities, and students who are limited English
proficient. The new rules also spell out the reporting requirements for
public schools, the method of determining adequate yearly progress, the use of
additional indicators, the timelines and process for school improvement plans,
public school choice, supplemental education services, and a multi-level
system of corrective action.
An appeal system, including
timelines, is also established.
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Certification requirements eased for school
administrators, special education directors, curriculum directors and
reading specialists
The Board of Education changed the amount of experience
needed for full certification for school administrators and other central
office officials. The amendments to ARSD 24:16:09 Requirements for
administrative programs change the amount of experience required for the
certification (either K-8 or secondary) to three years of verified
experience in an accredited K-12 school, of which only one year must
include classroom teaching or direct service to students under additional
authorizations.
The rule change also applies
to reading specialists, curriculum directors, and special education directors.
Previously, the rules
required that candidates for administrative certificates had to have taught
for four years at the specific level in which they were
seeking certification. The experience requirements were shown to be a barrier
for a number of would-be administrators who had completed all the coursework
for the certification.
The changes will allow a more
rapid career progression for some candidates.
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New Certification Option for School Social Workers
Licensed social workers who
are employed in schools may soon apply for a new “school social worker”
certificate that will be issued by the Department of Education. The
certification requires documentation of a valid South Dakota Board of Social
Work Examiners license.
The new certification was
established by the 2003 Legislature; HB 1265 added social workers to the
"school service specialist" roster in administrative rule. The process opens
the door for participation in the state retirement system in addition to being
an additional credential for social workers who are employed by schools.
Changes adopted to ARSD 24:06:07
School bus standards and 24:06:08 School bus procedures update
the reference in the rules to that latest edition of the national bus driver
manual, National
School Transportation Specifications and Procedures, May 2000. |
