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In Every Issue:
Secretary's Column
CANS
In This Issue:
Board approves new options for principal certification Secretary’s Column Adjusting the sails Over the past several years, I have quoted a saying that
summarizes the essence of leadership. The saying is: “The pessimist complains
about the wind, the optimist expects it to disappear, and the leader adjusts
the sails.” This saying summarizes the challenges of leadership – recognizing
the challenges that exist and yet making adjustments to respond to those
changes. In late July and early August, we traveled the state –
hosting regional meetings as part of the 2010 Education Initiative. The
meetings have allowed us to meet with more than 300 people to discuss the
future of education in South Dakota. The group consisted primarily of
educators (administrators and teachers) with a sprinkling of business leaders,
parents, students and other citizens having ties to our educational system. The meetings confirmed the saying above – we do have
“issues” to deal with in our state’s educational system. However, there is
hope, and if we “adjust the sails,” we can begin to shape the future for the
benefit of our young people. Topics that we discussed at the 2010 meetings included:
early childhood education, high school initiatives and administrator/teacher
quality. We also allowed time for participants to share innovative ideas. The
specific suggestions that surfaced during the 2010 Education discussions can
be reviewed on the Web site:
www.2010education.com. Once all of the regional meetings have been completed (we
have two postsecondary meetings in August), the ideas generated will be
reviewed by members of the Governor’s staff and the Department of Education,
with plans to form specific goals that can be accomplished by the year 2010.
The Governor will announce those goals during the 2004-05 school year. In closing, I want to challenge our
educational leaders to be open to ideas for the future. We do have
challenges, and yet, most of us would agree that the opportunities far
outweigh the threats in our educational system. If we choose to “adjust the
sails,” we can sail into a bright future for the children of South Dakota.
DOE proposes new accreditation model
Funds available for teachers pursuing National Board Certification
Grant money available to enhance youth education
South Dakota testing dates set
Testing coordinators invited to September workshop
Curriculum mapping workshops tour the state
Alert to Special Education teachers, directors
Extended Standards draft issued
Te@ch grants available from Best Buy
Online advanced placement courses available for 2004-05
Digital Curriculum renewed through 2006
WebCT available for 2004-05 free of charge
Grant resource page established
Scientifically based research makes the grade
Training required for school bus drivers
By Dr. Rick Melmer, Secretary
Department of Education 
Program agreements due Sept. 3
Program agreements and
application renewal packets for the 2004-05 program year have been mailed by
Child and Adult Nutrition Services. They are due back by
Make note of changes to Child Nutrition Programs
A number of changes will go
into effect this fall with implementation of the 2004-2005 program year. Some
changes are due to reauthorization, while others are due to changes in business
procedures at the Department of Education.
1. Child Nutrition
Reauthorization
The Child Nutrition Program
reauthorization (P.L. 108-265) has passed, with some changes affecting local
agencies immediately. While final regulations have not come out, some of the
items had been implemented in policy prior to this time. Those issues now
become permanent. Numbered memos detailing the changes will be provided to the
authorized representatives of the affected programs, which include National
School Lunch & School Breakfast Programs, Child & Adult Care Food
Program, and Summer Food Service Program. There were no changes that affected
the Special Milk Program.
In summary, the changes with
major impact that go into effect this year are:
|
STATUTORY PROVISION |
|
Sec
102 Requires offering fluid milk in a variety of fat contents - drops prior year preference for schools. (Requires offering milk in a variety of fat
contents but no longer requires the milk offered to be based on the
percentage of sales in the prior year.) |
|
Sec
102 Allows schools to substitute non-dairy beverages nutritionally equivalent
(as established by the Secretary of US
Dept of Agriculture to fluid milk for medical or other special dietary needs
at the request of a medical authority or a parent/guardian.) |
|
Sec.
106 Duration of eligibility for free/reduced price meals. Applications are
good for the entire year – families not required to report changes of
income. (This was passed after the application for free/reduced price meals
had already been distributed in SD. Families will not be penalized if changes
not reported.) |
|
Sec
107 Categorical Eligibility of Migrants, Runaway and Homeless Youth for free
lunches and breakfasts. (This had been
previously implemented through policy.) |
|
Sec
109 Permanent Exclusion of Privatized Military Housing Allowances. (This
had been previously implemented through policy.) |
|
Sec
113 Special Assistance: Adds district-wide claiming percentages for
Provisions 2 and 3. (SFAs on Provisions
2 or 3 may use district-wide percentages rather than calculating and
reporting by site.) |
|
Sec
119 Child and Adult Care Food Program - Makes permanent the option for
proprietary centers to qualify for CACFP if at least 25% of the children they
serve are from households qualifying for free or reduced price meals. (This
had been previously implemented through policy.) |
|
Sec
119 (b) Child and Adult Care Food Program - Duration of determination as tier
1 family or group day care homes from |
|
Sec
119 (c) Child and Adult Care Food Program - Disregard an overpayment
identified during a management evaluation, review or audit in an amount that
is consistent with the disregard provision of other Child Nutrition Programs
(currently $600 in the school programs). |
|
Sec
119 (g) Child and Adult Care Food Program – Raises age limits from 12 to 18
in emergency shelters. |
|
Sec
124 Free Lunch and Breakfast Eligibility - Elimination of free/reduced price
category. (5
States - unlimited duration). (While
this does not directly impact SD at
this time, it does begin testing and study of eliminating meal eligibility categories) |
2. ACH Payments
Beginning fall 2004, the
Department of Education’s Office of Finance and Management will begin
processing payments for the Child Nutrition Programs through the Automated
Clearing House (ACH) system. Requests for information to make this process
possible will be coming from the Office of Finance and Management. The
automated process has been requested by a number of agencies, and their foresight
is appreciated. The recap sheets will continue to be mailed. These should be
reviewed to be sure that deposit amounts are the same as payment to the agency
and will document which fund should receive which amount. The recap sheets
should be retained on file with other Child Nutrition Program records.
3. Single
Inventory
Another change effective fall
2004 is allowing use of a single inventory system, except in schools that use a
food service management company (FSMC). Single inventory system means that
schools are no longer required to maintain separate inventories for commodities
and purchased foods. Schools may keep separate inventories if they so desire.
The increased use of commercially labeled foods by USDA makes the separated inventory
system more difficult. Schools that use a FSMC need to be able to determine the
value of commodities, and the company needs to be able to document that it is
using commodities to the maximum extent.
4. Increased
Reporting for Verification
Most school food authorities
(SFAs) are required to complete verification of free and reduced-price meals.
Those exempted are residential child care institutions with no day students and
SFAs that are beyond the base year for Special Provisions 2 and 3. The process
and information reported to Child and Adult Nutrition Services will both change
effective this fall 2004. Information on the changed requirements will be
issued in a numbered memo in August.
5. Public
Release Regarding School Nutrition Programs
The public release required
for School Nutrition Programs was sent to the media via fax on
6.
Reimbursement Rates
Reimbursement rates for meals in the Child Nutrition Programs have been posted on the CANS Web site under “Forms and Documents.” Rates increased a few cents for free and reduced lunches, free and reduced breakfasts, and day care home Tier 1 breakfasts, lunches and suppers, while rates for paid and Tier 2 breakfast and lunches as well as supplements (snacks) across the board saw no increase or an increase of 1 cent from the prior year.
Board approves new options for principal certification
The Board of Education has approved additional certification options for principals. These options include: 1) a PreK-12 principal program for new principals and 2) a PreK-12 principal endorsement for current principals who wish to add to their current certification at either the K-8 or 7-12 level.
Additionally, a principal endorsement has been created for educators with a bachelor’s or master’s degree. This endorsement is valid for five years only, unless the holder also has completed a master’s degree in education within the last 10 years.
All endorsements will be approved by the Department of Education with a transcript analysis based on the course requirements/suggestions from higher education.
Specific requirements along with a listing of coursework can be found at http://www.state.sd.us/deca/OPA/NewPrincipalCertOption/NewPrincipalOption.htm
DOE proposes new accreditation model
The 2004 Legislature charged the Department of Education with reviewing South Dakota’s accreditation process. Currently, accreditation in South Dakota is a compliance model with a set of regulatory inputs established through both statute and administrative rule. An accreditation advisory council was established earlier this summer. Its aim: To discuss a possible new model for district accreditation. The proposed model includes the following:
1) Three tiers
a. Basic Accreditation – current requirements plus a “Strategic Plan for Improvement”
b. NCA/DOE District Accreditation – using an established model with onsite support
c. Exemplary Accreditation – Application process that shows district and individual student growth
2) School boards would sign an agreement for proposed level of accreditation
3) Focused on district accreditation
The Department of Education intends to take the model to the 2005 Legislature and perhaps request funding to support districts wishing to become accredited through North Central.
The proposed model can be viewed at http://www.state.sd.us/deca/OPA/Proposed%20Accreditation/Accreditationproposal.htm
Please submit your comments.
The U.S. Department of Education has allocated funds to South Dakota for the Candidate Subsidy Program. This program helps teachers obtain National Board Certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The Candidate Subsidy Program helps financially offset a portion of the application fee for teachers who participate in National Board Certification. Further details and timelines will be distributed in September.
National Board Certification is geared to teachers who seek higher levels of professional growth. While earning their NBC, teachers critically examine their teaching practices against rigorous standards. Standards are designed to measure what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do.
Part of the NBC process requires that teachers develop a portfolio while in the classroom. The portfolio includes student work, videotapes and other teaching artifacts. In addition, the teacher completes assessment center exercises that complement the portfolio and are organized around challenging teaching issues. Teachers working toward NBC spend a better part of a school year completing the process requirements.
Questions regarding this process can be directed to Roxie Thielen, Department of Education, at (605) 773-5669. roxie.thielen@state.sd.us
Grant money available to enhance youth education
Grant applications for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program are being accepted from schools, community organizations and local entities that work together to enhance youth education.
The purpose of these grants is to strengthen after-school, Saturday and summer programs that support student learning and to help students meet performance standards in core academic subjects. The grants help sponsoring organizations provide activities that complement regular academic programs to students who attend high poverty schools or schools identified for school improvement.
Grants will go to sponsors who submit plans for Out-of-School-Time Programs designed to provide the expanded student learning opportunities outlined in Title VI, Part B. The state Department of Education will award approximately 15 grants. In order to qualify for the grants, the applicant must be serving school districts in which 40 percent or more of students qualify for free and reduced meals. The grants range from $50,000 to $100,000 per year for three to five years.
Authorized under Title IV, Part B, of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, the law’s specific purposes are to:
(1) Provide opportunities for academic enrichment, including tutorial services, to help students (particularly students in high-poverty areas) meet state and local student performance standards in core academic subjects such as reading and mathematics;
(2) Offer students a broad array of additional services, programs and activities such as youth development activities; drug and violence prevention programs; counseling programs; art, music and recreation programs; technology education programs and character education programs, designed to reinforce and complement participating students’ regular academic programs; and
(3) Offer literacy and related educational development opportunities to the families of students served by community learning centers.
Applications are available at http://www.state.sd.us/deca/CSCF/21cent/index.htm. Applicants must submit the application, along with four copies of it. To be eligible for the grants, applications must be received or postmarked by Sept. 10, 2004.
For more information, contact Sue Burgard, Department of Education, at (605) 773-5238 or sue.burgard@state.sd.us.
South Dakota testing dates set
Test dates for the 2004-05 school year are as follows:
· Stanford Writing Assessment, Oct. 4-8, 2004
· SD Career Assessment Program, Oct. 11-Dec. 10, 2004
· State NAEP, Jan. 24-March 4, 2005
· SELP, Feb. 7-25, 2005
· Dakota STEP, March 23-April 15, 2005
Testing coordinators invited to September workshop
Interpretative workshops for the Dakota STEP assessment will be held Sept. 20-24, 2004, at locations across the state. Workshops are slated for Sept. 20 in Rapid City, Sept. 21 in Pierre, Sept. 22 in Aberdeen, and Sept. 23-24 in Sioux Falls. Each will include an update on results of the 2004 state testing program as well as technical information. Workshops run 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
The agenda also includes pre-test information about the Stanford Writing Assessment and Reading Field Test, to occur in the fall. In addition, attendees will receive updates on testing as it pertains to students with disabilities and students with limited English proficiency, and future NAEP activities.
Registration information will be sent to school districts in August. For information, contact Gary Skoglund in the department’s Office of Curriculum, Technology and Assessment. Call (605) 773-5229 or gary.skoglund@state.sd.us.
Curriculum mapping workshops tour the state
A growing trend nationwide, curriculum mapping allows educators to promote a more efficient learning process across an entire school district. The process enables districts to identify gaps and overlaps within their existing curriculum by aligning curriculum, skills, assessment and instruction.
By summer’s end, 760 South Dakota teachers will have been through curriculum mapping workshops hosted by the department’s Office of Curriculum, Technology and Assessment. An additional 14 workshops will take place during the 2004-05 school year.
Funding for the workshops comes from the Teacher Quality Enhancement grant, known as the “Every Teacher Grant.” One of the intents of these funds is to assist the state in offering high quality professional development opportunities for new and existing teachers.
An additional Curriculum Mapping RFP will be arriving soon in your school. Watch for details. For information about curriculum mapping, contact Gay Pickner, Department of Education, at (605) 280-3613 or gay.pickner@state.sd.us.
Alert to Special Education teachers, directors
Special Education teachers should not use the current STAARS portfolio for assessing students for the 2004-05 school year. No Child Left Behind mandates all students be measured on their knowledge of the general curriculum, which stands up to validity and reliability standards.
The state’s Special Education Programs currently is revising the STAARS alternate assessment, in order for students with disabilities to participate fully in the statewide assessment system. The department’s Special Education Programs will notify educators when the new assessment is available this fall. Please check the state’s Special Education Web site for updates in the process. www.state.sd.us/deca/Special. Call (605) 773-3678 with questions.
Extended Standards draft issued
The Department of Education has issued a draft of Extended Standards to promote access to the general curriculum and to ensure that students with significant cognitive disabilities are challenged to meet the highest standards possible. A committee of dedicated educators, department staff, and consultants from Children’s Care Hospital and School and Mountain Plains Regional Resource Center developed the Extended Standards. Your feedback is encouraged. View the draft at www.state.sd.us/deca/Special/forms/readmth_stndrds.htm
No Child Left Behind requires the inclusion of students with disabilities in statewide assessment. Title I regulation on alternate achievement standards ensure that students with the most significant cognitive disabilities participate fully in the standards, assessment and accountability systems under NCLB. It also ensures that schools receive credit for making progress with these students.
The alternate achievement standards are for students whose cognitive impairments may prevent them from attaining grade-level achievement, even with the best instruction. Each state is required to develop its own valid, reliable alternate assessment and achievement standards. Developing the Extended Standards marks a first step in completing this process.
Te@ch grants available from Best Buy
Best Buy and the Best Buy Children’s Foundation recently launched its te@ch grant program. The program will award $2,500 to 1,200 U.S. schools that make learning fun by creatively integrating technology into school curriculum.
All accredited, nonprofit K-12 schools located within 25 miles of a Best Buy store are eligible. Applications will be accepted July 16-Oct. 1, 2004. Winners will be notified in mid-January and will receive a $2,500 Best Buy gift card to be used to sustain or enhance an existing educational program.
To learn more, visit www.BestBuy.com. Click on the Community Relations tab at the bottom of the page, and follow the links to te@ch.
Online advanced placement courses available for 2004-05
Once again, the Department of Education has entered into an agreement with Apex Learning Inc. to deliver online advanced placement courses. Apex also will provide the AP Exam Review to interested high-school juniors and seniors for the 2004-05 school year. AP courses will be offered in 14 areas: biology, calculus AB, chemistry, English language and composition, English literature and composition, French, U.S. government and politics, macroeconomics, microeconomics, physics B, psychology, Spanish AP, statistics, U.S. history.
The following terms and conditions apply:
Fall 2004 course dates – for all 14 courses – are as follows:
| Semester Start Date | Student Enrollment Deadline | Semester End Date |
| Aug. 16 | Aug. 11 | Dec. 17 |
| Aug. 23 | Aug. 18 | Dec. 24 |
| Aug. 30 | Aug. 25 | Jan. 7 |
| Sept. 7 | Sept. 1 | Jan. 14 |
| Sept. 13 | Sept. 8 | Jan. 21 |
| Sept. 20 | Sept. 15 | Jan. 28 |
| Sept. 17 | Sept. 22 | Feb. 4 |
| Oct. 4 | Sept. 29 | Feb. 11 |
For more information, contact Michelle Mehlberg, Department of Education, at (605) 280-3614 or michelle.melberg@state.sd.us.
Digital curriculum renewed through 2006
The Department of Education has renewed statewide access to the Digital Curriculum package for South Dakota’s public schools until July 2006.
Digital Curriculum is a video-on-demand teaching and learning system that fully integrates full-length educational videos, key-concept video clips, still images, Encyclopedia Britannica content, teacher guides, lesson plans, and interactive online assessments and assignments into a comprehensive learning tool for teachers, students and administrators. The package also includes record-keeping and an internal messaging service.
Digital Curriculum is a free service to public schools in the state. Private schools can purchase the Digital Curriculum direct from AIMS at a discounted rate of $495 per year per site, per the terms of the negotiated package for the next two years. List price ranges from $995 to $1,695 per site. All sales and billing will be direct from AIMS to the school.
For more information or to subscribe, contact Michelle Mehlberg at (605) 280-3614 or michelle.melberg@state.sd.us.
WebCT available for 2004-05 free of charge
Throughout the 2004-05 school year, educators in grades K-12 across South Dakota may use the WebCT upon completion of training. WebCT enables the delivery of an online course, so that students can work anyplace or anytime. It can be used to house a fully developed Internet course, and it can be used to supplement a course being taught over the Dakota Digital Network. WebCT also can be used to add an e-learning component to a course being taught face-to-face.
For questions regarding WebCT or to set up a training for your school, contact Mark Heilmann at (605) 280-3612 or mark.heilmann@state.sd.us.
Grant resource page established
The department has developed a grant resource Web page to aid schools in finding grant opportunities. For more information, contact Mark Heilmann at (605) 280-3612 or mark.heilmann@state.sd.us.
Scientifically based research makes the grade
Learn more about scientifically based research on the department’s Web site. You’ll find great resources such as the What Works Clearinghouse, established by the U.S. Department of Education to provide a central and trusted source of scientific evidence of what works in education.
Training required for school bus drivers
Administrative rule (ARSD 24:06:08:01) requires all school districts to provide an annual State-approved training program for a minimum of four hours. The approved pre-service training program (for new hires) must include a minimum of two hours of classroom training – to include knowledge of basic first aid procedures – and two hours of behind-the-wheel training to enable safe and efficient vehicle operations.
To help meet these training requirements, “Train the Trainer” sessions were held during the last week of July in Sioux Falls, Pierre and Rapid City. A total of 25 trainees were in attendance at the three sites. Two sets of training videos are available for those now doing training back in their districts. Call Deedra Gesinger at the Department of Education, (605) 773-6934, or School Bus Inc., (605) 334-6644, to reserve a set of tapes.
School bus drivers who will not be trained via “Train the Trainer” will need to attend one of 22 training sites across the state. Contact Harlow’s Bus Sales at 1-888-419-4023 for more information on training sites.
All drivers in attendance at one of these trainings must provide their name, school district they drive for, and social security number. This information will be submitted to the Department of Education for tracking purposes.
All annual training of bus drivers and sub-drivers – either employed by the district or contracted – must be recorded on the PRF system. School districts will not be able to sign off on their assurance statement by Oct. 15 if all drivers have not attended an in-service training. Extensions may be allowed by the Department of Education for new drivers hired after available training dates.
Pre-service or new drivers hired during the year also are required to have a minimum of four hours of training before transporting students. Training will need to be done at the district level, and it must be documented.
Finally, please remember that all South Dakota bus drivers are required to have a criminal background check, pre-employment drug test and a TB test.