Secretary’s Column
by Dr. Rick Melmer, Secretary
South Dakota Department of Education

Legislators Focus on Education

The 79^th legislative session is nearly over.  The 34 days have come and gone and all that remains is “Veto Day,” scheduled for March 15.  During the past session, a variety of topics captured the public’s attention.  Issues such as abortion and sales tax covered the front pages of many of the state’s newspapers.  Those topics do deserve the public’s attention and yet educators around the state have to be pleased with the renewed interest in K – 12 education.  Some of the issues that the legislature addressed will have a strong impact on our schools in the future.  Let me highlight a few areas that will be topics of discussions in South Dakota schools.

South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship – The decision to support this initiative will pay dividends for many years to come.  Support of funding for the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship will help to increase the number of students who take more rigorous courses, raise the number of students who remain in the state, improve ACT scores and help parents send their children to college.  That is truly a win/win deal.

Graduation Requirements – The next 12 months will be rife with discussion about high school requirements.  The legislature passed a bill to create a “recommended” curriculum for all high schools students.  A statewide dialogue will begin in March regarding what students need to know in order to graduate.  Also, the State Board of Education will also investigate the courses that each school offers for its high school students.  It is widely believed that each high school should offer the classes necessary for the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship and the State Board will certainly take up this topic for discussion and action.

New Initiatives – The legislature also provided financial resources for the beginning of an Educational Service Agency (ESA) concept in South Dakota.  The Department of Education is prepared to begin exploring an ESA concept to deliver assistance with curriculum alignment, professional development and NCLB support to all districts in this state.  The legislature also earmarked dollars for the development of career and technical education courses that can be delivered into all parts of our state.  More information on these new programs will be shared at a later date.