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

   1. Basic Accreditation – current requirements plus a “Strategic Plan for Improvement”
   2. NCA/DOE District Accreditation – using an established model with onsite support
   3. 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

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