2010 Education Initiative coming your way
Regional meetings for education stakeholders will begin in late July. These by-invitation working sessions will provide the basis for the Governor’s 2010 Education Initiative.

Graduation requirement reconsidered
At its July meeting, the Board of Education will consider removing a requirement concerning the Dakota STEP and graduation.

Next step for Praxis tests
Education professionals from across the state, in cooperation with Educational Testing Services, have recommended qualifying scores on 39 Praxis content and pedagogy tests. Following further study, the Board of Education will consider the recommended qualifying scores at its November meeting.

Funds available for educating homeless students
Estimates suggest that at least 4,973 South Dakota children were homeless at some time in 1999. Federal funds are now available through the Department of Education to develop programs that facilitate the attendance and success of homeless youth. Applications for McKinney-Vento grants must be postmarked no later than Aug. 1, 2004.

School Bus Inc. to manage required training
The Department of Education has contracted with School Bus Inc. to manage training and busing concerns, as they relate to state and federal regulations. Required annual training workshops for drivers and attendants will be held statewide.

New teacher renewal requirements take effect Oct. 1, 2005
The new rule concerning renewal credits for teachers requires that a minimum of three of the six semester hours (five of the nine quarter hours) must be college-transcripted hours. Previously, renewal credits could be any combination of Department of Education-sponsored credits and/or college credits.

Math teachers sponsor summer symposium
The South Dakota Council of Teachers of Mathematics will host a summer math symposium, Aug. 6, at O’Gorman High School in Sioux Falls. Designed for K-12 teachers, the symposium’s theme is “Finding the New Mathematics Standards in Your Curriculum.”

Online resource for paraprofessionals available
The Department of Education has created a Web page to support paraprofessionals. The site offers information regarding federal regulations specific to being “qualified” under the provisions of No Child Left Behind. It also provides information about professional development opportunities and financial assistance for tuition. Questions regarding paraprofessionals should be directed to Nicole Kranzler at (605) 773-3426.