May 2004 DOE Administrative Memorandum

In Every Issue:
Secretary's Column
CANS

In This Issue:

Two South Dakota educators honored with $25,000 awards
State board to consider adoption of graduation requirements
Student information you report affects eligibility, funding for federal programs
Update on administrative rule exemptions
Paraprofessional certification
Five-part series to address revised math standards
Mathematics tests, aligned to new standards, available soon
Teacher-leaders coming to Pierre
STAARS alternate assessment workshops scheduled for November
DDN Campus training set for fall
Schools serving migrant students have access to free resources
Preparation workshops to address NAEP
Free workshop targets effective teaching practices
Career and technical education focus of workshops
Funds available to assist National Board candidates with application fee
Videos for bus driving training available
Grant money available to fund Schools That Work

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

Class and schools

The more I read and study, the more convinced I am that the home environment is a huge factor in student achievement. Even though educators have some concerns about No Child Left Behind, it is clearly directed at reaching many students who come from challenging backgrounds. Recently, I completed the book “Class and Schools” by Richard Rothstein. Rothstein makes a compelling case that the home and socio-economic status are large contributors to student success in school. Here are a few items that he mentioned that are significant.

Most parents with college degrees read to their children daily before the children begin kindergarten. Few children whose parents have only a high school diploma or less benefit from daily reading. On average, a typical middle-class child who began to read at home will have higher lifetime achievement than a typical low-income child who was taught only at school.
Twenty years ago, two researchers from the University of Kansas visited the homes of families from different social classes. The researchers found that, on average, professional parents spoke more than 2,000 words per hour to their children. Working class parents spoke about 1,300 words, and welfare mothers spoke about 600 words. So, by age 3, children of professionals had vocabularies that were nearly 50 percent greater than those of working class children and twice as large as welfare children.
Organized sports and activities build self-confidence in children. Lower-class parents find the fees and time involved in those activities more daunting, and transportation also may be a problem. Furthermore, homework is a challenge for children in low-income families due to a lack of space, quiet time and support from parents.
An international reading survey of 15 year olds, conducted in 2000, found a strong relationship in almost every nation between parental occupation and student literacy. The gap between the literacy of higher class workers and lower class workers was even greater in Germany and the United Kingdom than it was in the United States.

So what is the answer? In part, we need to create opportunities earlier for children from low-income families to get involved in educational programs. Secondly, we need to recognize that the same system that creates opportunities for middle- and upper-income students will not work for low-income students. Extra learning time, summer school and alternative schools have helped to reach students that lack the parental support system to be successful.

I want to applaud our schools in South Dakota who have recognized the differences that exist within our student groups and have attempted to differentiate the instruction to respond to this challenge. Our improved scores on the Dakota Step in all sub-group areas indicate that real progress is being made with our at-risk students in South Dakota.

CANS

National Food Service Institute hosts workshops

Nutrition Update will be held Oct. 20-21 at the National Food Service Management Institute at the University of Mississippi. Nationally recognized nutrition experts discuss recent developments and current issues, adolescent nutrition needs, the relationship between child nutrition and chronic disease, energy metabolism in children, and nutrition myths and misinformation. Participants will receive a copy of a current nutrition text, and other valuable resource materials. For information, call 1-800-321-3054.

First Choice Procurement Seminar will be held Nov. 9-11 at the National Food Service Management Institute at the University of Mississippi. Based on “First Choice: A Purchasing Systems Manual for School Food Service,” 2nd Edition, the workshop presents procurement education that supports the delivery of nutritious and appealing meals to children. It emphasizes the links among purchasing, nutrition integrity, food safety, and financial success of the program. Target audience includes child nutrition professionals, school administrators and business managers, and others interested in learning more about the procurement process in Child Nutrition Programs. Approved for ASFSA credit; approval from other organizations possible. For information, call 1-800-321-3054.

Changes due to reauthorization outlined

Most of the changes caused by reauthorization of the Child Nutrition and WIC programs affect school nutrition programs, rather than Child & Adult Care Food Program or Summer Food Service. Changes outlined below are effective now.

1) Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program – While the law establishes fresh fruit and vegetable as a program rather than a pilot project, the number of states and schools funded remains somewhat limited. Schools in the area governed by the Oglala Sioux Tribe on the Pine Ridge Reservation were included in the bill.

2) School Breakfast Program - Severe Need - paperwork reduction. Schools that served 40 percent free and reduced price lunches in the second prior year can now claim the higher rate of reimbursement (severe need) without having to complete the cost justification. Agencies with eligible sites will be contacted to advise them of the higher rate.

3) Duration of Eligibility of Free/Reduced Price Meals – Approved applications for free and reduced price meals are good for the entire academic year for the School Lunch, School Breakfast and Special Milk programs. Formerly, families who had been approved were to report if their income changed by $50 per month.

4) Categorical Eligibility of Migrant, Runaway and Homeless Youth – This is an additional categorical eligibility for free meals for all programs for children who are known to fit in one of these categories.

5) Permanent Exclusion of Privatized Military Housing Allowances – Makes permanent an exclusion which had been previously implemented through policy.

6) Seamless Summer – Makes permanent and renames what was formerly called “summer waiver” or “Alisal waiver.” This allows schools that would be eligible for the Summer Food Service Program to continue on the school nutrition programs throughout the summer.

7) Proprietary Centers in CACFP – Makes permanent an allowance which had been previously implemented through policy. Allows proprietary centers to participate in CACFP if they meet certain criteria of income levels.

8) Emergency Shelters – Raises the age limit from 12 to 18 for children whose meals can be claimed for reimbursement in emergency shelters.

9) Special Provision 2 and 3 – In NSLP and SBP, schools that participate in the NSLP/SBP can use district-wide percentages to calculate the claim for reimbursement.

10) Pilot States to End Reduced Price Meal Category – Five states will be authorized to eliminate the reduced price category. The states have not yet been named.

Offer versus serve

In the mid 1970s, Congressman Bill Goodling from Pennsylvania and other congressional leaders believed that students were throwing away far too much food, so they declared “war on waste.” They wanted to reduce the waste of food and the waste of government money used to purchase and prepare this food. A part of this “war on waste” was the Offer Versus Serve (OVS) option. It was a way to avoid forcing students to take food they do not intend to eat.

The goals of OVS are to: 1) minimize plate waste and 2) encourage more food choices.

Schools that implement OVS must offer all the planned menu items to all students. Students may refuse a specified number of menu items. Schools that do not choose to do the OVS option must serve all food menu items to all students.

Senior high schools participating in the National School Lunch Program are required to implement OVS. In elementary and junior high/middle schools, OVS is a local option whereby students may decline one or two menu components. School food authorities may implement OVS in their School Breakfast Program as well. Full portions of a minimum required number of items must be taken for a meal to be claimed for reimbursement.

Substantial cost savings may occur with OVS. The manager determines the quantity to prepare based on previous production records and menu pattern required-serving amounts. The cashier and kitchen manager must work closely together in defining the reimbursable meals for the day.

Meals must be priced as a unit. This means paying students will pay the full meal price, and students eligible for reduced price will pay the current reduced price charge whether they take the minimum number of menu items or the complete meal. The cashier needs to determine the menu items and serving amounts before the meal service begins. A reimbursable meal must be defined for claiming purposes.

At schools implementing either the Traditional or Enhanced Menu Pattern meals, when students go through the line, they must be offered five food items. Under OVS, a student may decline up to two of the five required food items and still have a reimbursable lunch. In other words, a student must take full portions of at least three of the five food items offered to have a reimbursable lunch. Students do not have to take a milk or entrée to have a reimbursable lunch. Any three components from a Traditional or Enhanced Menu Pattern menu will make a reimbursable meal.

The five components of a Traditional and Enhanced Menu Pattern include: one serving of meat/meat alternate, two servings of vegetables and/or fruits, one serving of grains/breads, and one serving of milk.

If the meat/meat alternate is split into two menu items (i.e., the main dish and one other menu item), the student would have to take both items for the meat/meat alternate to count as one of the five food items.

Under OVS, students may take smaller portions of the declined food components. The required food components selected by the students, however, must be a full serving. The decision to decline the allowed number of food items or to accept smaller portions of otherwise declined food items does not affect the charge for the meal. Within the minimum quantities specified in the regulations for the various age and grade groups, the menu planner establishes what constitutes a “serving.” It is the student’s choice which items to decline including the entrée or milk.

OVS reduces plate waste and improves acceptability of the meal. Students have choices available, which encourage them to choose a meal that is more specific to their preferences. The food service staff is committed to promoting the nutrition goals of the school nutrition program by providing students with healthy food choices.

Two South Dakota educators honored with $25,000 awards

Marletta Eich, a 2nd-grade teacher at Washington Elementary in Madison, and Darrell Mueller, principal at Platte Elementary School, were honored with $25,000 Milken Family Foundation National Educator Awards Oct. 8. Gov. Mike Rounds and Education Secretary Rick Melmer presented the awards.

“These educators represent the cream of the crop. They are leaders in their schools, in their profession and in their communities,” said Gov. Rounds. “We’re thrilled to recognize their efforts and to highlight the critical role that South Dakota educators fill in shaping the lives of students and, truly, the future of our state.”

Educators are recommended for the prestigious Milken award by a panel appointed by the South Dakota Department of Education. Recipients are selected on the basis of criteria such as: exceptional educational talent as evidenced by outstanding practices in the classroom, school and profession; long-range potential for professional and policy leadership; and an inspiring presence that motivates students, colleagues and the community.

Marletta Eich is described as a teacher who presents every lesson in a meaningful way. Her recent efforts range from getting students involved in South Dakota Kids Voting to creating a unit on seat-belt safety that included testifying before a legislative committee. Eich has been teaching since 1983 and has spent the last 10 years at elementary schools in Madison.

A veteran educator, Darrell Mueller currently serves as principal of Platte Elementary School. Mueller is known for his dedication to students and to improving student achievement. He energizes students and teachers alike with his generous, sincere and fun-loving approach. Mueller has been in the education field since 1980, starting his career as a teacher in a four-room rural school.

The Milken National Educator Awards were created by Lowell Milken in 1985 to celebrate, elevate and activate the highest caliber professionals in our nation’s schools. From Oct. 5-15, 100 unsuspecting K-12 teachers, principals and specialists throughout the United States will be surprised with the news of their $25,000 awards.

In addition to the cash award, each educator receives an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to participate in a professional development conference in May 2005.

State board to consider adoption of graduation requirements

The South Dakota Board of Education heard the first reading regarding new graduation requirements at its September meeting. If adopted, the new standards would divide high school programs of study into three paths.

The “standard” path defines the minimal course of study a student would need to take to graduate. New changes include courses in physical education or health, economics or personal finance, world history, and two units of any combination of world languages, computer studies, or an approved career and technical education course.

The “advanced” curriculum would be the recommended course of study all students would take, unless the school and parents agree the student should take the standard curriculum. This path includes higher requirements in math and science as well as one unit of world language. Students finishing the advanced high school program would receive a notation identifying their completion on their transcript.

The “distinguished” high school program follows the same requirements as those defined by the South Dakota Opportunities Scholarship.

If passed by the Board of Education in November, the proposed changes would begin with students entering the ninth grade in 2005.

To view the proposed standards, go to www.state.sd.us/deca/gradrequirements/index.asp.

Student information you report affects eligibility, funding for federal programs

Districts need to ensure that complete and accurate information is reported on the SIMSNet student record database during the fall reporting period. The Department of Education uses student information collected during this period to determine eligibility and to allocate funding for a number of federal grant programs, including Title I.

The department uses open enrollment figures reported on the SIMSNet to make adjustments to the formula counts used for allocating Title I funds to districts. Districts open enrolling large numbers of students from neighboring districts need to be especially thorough in identifying these students on the database, if they want to receive credit for them in their Title I allocation.

Many other federal programs are affected by the student information reported by districts. Student enrollment counts and free and reduced price lunch status are examples of information used by the department to determine eligibility and/or funding amounts for federal programs.

Thanks for your cooperation!

Update on administrative rule exemptions

A school district may apply for an administrative rule exemption to offer a high school course, taught by a high school certified teacher, to 8th grade students. Such an exemption makes the following possible for a student who successfully completes an exempted course:

The student receives high school graduation credit for the course, which should be noted on the student’s transcript.
It helps to ensure the student will have enough credit hours to be eligible for the Regents Scholarship program.
It allows the student additional credit hour time to take more upper-level courses when they reach high school.

The most common courses for which exemptions are filed are algebra I, Spanish I and computers.

Due to pending administrative rule changes, it is no longer necessary for a district to have an exemption form approved in order to institute an alternative or block schedule. This determination now can be made by the district and the local board of education.

For more information, visit www.state.sd.us/deca/OPA/School%20Accreditation/adminruleexemptions.htm or call Nicole Kranzler at (605) 773-3426.

Paraprofessional certification

If you have paraprofessionals who are NOT working in Title I programs but who have completed the requirements for “highly qualified” status, or if they achieve “highly qualified” status during the school year, please send their name(s), school district, mailing information and qualification information (eg., 48 hours credit, test score and test date, associate degree title) to Nicole Kranzler at (605) 773-3246. nicole.kranzler@state.sd.us. Certificates will be issued as appropriate.

For more information, visit www.state.sd.us/deca/OPA/ParaproCertification/parapro.htm.

Five-part series to address revised math standards

South Dakota’s new mathematics content standards are ready to roll! Instructors will have the opportunity to learn all about the new standards during a series of five courses starting in early November. (See schedule below.)

During this first stage of the math standards roll-out, the focus will be the statistics and data analysis strand. Teachers will examine the new standards in the context of:

1) best teacher practice,

2) engaging students in meaningful learning experiences, and

3) providing strong support for all learners to reason and think mathematically.

Participants will examine a framework for instructional practice that aligns standards to instruction, curriculum and assessment, and will engage in self-analysis and reflection to strengthen the quality and effectiveness of their work.

Most of the instructors for this course are active, experienced classroom teachers who were involved in the revision of the standards.

Dates and locations are as follows:

Strand → Location ↓	Statistics	Number Sense	Algebra	Measurement	Geometry
Rapid City	November 1 Ramkota	January 10 Ramkota	February 7 Rushmore Plaza	March 7 Rushmore Plaza	April 4 Rushmore Plaza
Pierre/ Chamberlain	November 2 Ramkota (Pierre)	January 11 Holiday Inn Express & Kings’ Inn (Pierre)	February 8 Cedar Shores (Cham)	March 8 Cedar Shores (Cham)	April 5 Ramkota (Pierre)
Aberdeen	November 3 Ramkota	January 12 Ramkota	February 9 Ramkota	March 9 Ramkota	April 6 Ramkota
Sioux Falls	November 4 Oaks	January 13 Oaks	February 10 Oaks	March 10 Ramkota	April 7 Oaks

Credit for the course is pending. If approved, one graduate credit will be based on attending any three of the series. Two credits will be based on attending all five in the series.

For further information, visit www.southdakotapd.com or contact Anne Thompson at (605) 773-3247. anne.thompson@state.sd.us

Mathematics tests, aligned to new standards, available soon

The Department of Education is creating six mathematics assessments for use in algebra I, algebra II and geometry courses. There will be a mid-year, or semester, test and end-of-year test for each course.

Developed by a committee of experienced high school mathematics teachers, the assessments have been aligned to the state’s revised mathematics content standards. The objective tests are intended to be used as a summative assessment. Each test should require approximately 90 minutes for completion, including administrative time.

Tests should available in mid-October and will be sent to school test coordinators. They are intended to be secured tests for use within schools, to help with curriculum alignment as well as with assessment of student performance in the courses. Hard copies of the tests will be sent to each school, and electronic copies of the tests will later be made available in a non-alterable PDF version.

For further information, contact Anne Thompson at (605) 773-3247. anne.thompson@state.sd.us

Teacher-leaders coming to Pierre

Governor Rounds’ 2004 Teacher Leadership Conference will take place Oct. 25-27 at the Ramkota RiverCentre in Pierre. Approximately 500 teacher-leaders from across the state are expected to attend. Thanks to those districts that are participating!

This year’s agenda includes sessions on curriculum mapping, assessment and its role in classroom success, the latest research concerning reading, school health programs, updates on No Child Left Behind, and a host of other topics.

In addition, the teachers will review the themes discussed in this summer’s 2010 Education Initiative meetings, and they will offer their input.

Featured speakers include Governor Rounds, Dr. Marcus Nelson of the Austin (TX) Independent School District, and Raymond Joseph Simon of the U.S. Department of Education.

For information, visit www.state.sd.us/deca/NCLB/conference2004.htm.

STAARS alternate assessment workshops scheduled for November

Interpretative workshops for the South Dakota Team-led Alternate Assessment and Reporting System (STAARS) will be held Nov. 1-4 across the state. The workshops will include an update on changes occurring in the STAARS state testing program and technical information. Additional information concerning students with severe disabilities also will be provided.

Dawn Smith, from the Department of Education’s Office of Educational Services and Support, will conduct the workshops. Workshops begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at approximately 12:30 p.m.

Please watch your mail for registration information. A memorandum will be coming out to superintendents, testing coordinators and special education directors regarding the trainings and timelines for administration of the newly revised alternate assessment.

For more information, contact Dawn Smith at (605) 773-3678.

DDN Campus training set for fall

DDN Campus has scheduled three types of training: a Microsoft Access training, a DDN Campus refresher training, and a DDN Campus training for new staff. Visit www.ddncampus.net/train.htm for dates and locations. Space is limited, so register soon to assure a spot.

The Parent Portal is just one of the many features of the DDN Campus program, allowing parents to stay in contact with their children’s daily progress and attendance during the school day. Parents are able to check their child’s daily grades and test scores by signing into the Parent Portal side of DDN Campus.

Schools serving migrant students have access to free resources

The Midwest Migrant Educational Resource Center (MMERC), through a contract with the state Department of Education, provides a variety of free resources to public schools in South Dakota that assist children (ages 3-21) of migrant workers.

MMERC services and resources include:

Free access to 8,000 educational materials including games, manipulatives for hands-on learning, and books – many of which are bilingual or in Spanish;
Thematic multimedia unit boxes;
Teacher and parent references;
Materials appropriate for ESL students;
Teacher workshops, in-service training or site visits to meet specific district needs or topics.

For those public schools enrolling identified migrant students, the free resources of the MMERC staff and library can be accessed through an online resource catalog. The catalog is located at http://www.hamline.edu/graduate/centers/mmerc. Shipping charges to receive and return borrowed resources are prepaid by MMERC. For information, call 1-877-891-6379.

For questions about identifying or serving migrant students in your school, contact Jerry Meendering at the Department of Education, (605) 773-4437. jerry.meendering@state.sd.us

Preparation workshops to address NAEP

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) will be administered Jan. 24-March 4, 2005. The NAEP assesses reading, mathematics and science in grades 4, 8 and 12. A sample of South Dakota schools statewide has been selected to participate.

Important informational workshops for participating schools will be conducted Oct. 18-21, 2004. Workshops are slated for Oct. 18 in Aberdeen, Oct. 19 in Sioux Falls, Oct. 20 in Pierre, and Oct. 21 in Rapid City. Each will include an update on expectations for the assessment and critical information for principals and testing coordinators. A representative from each of the sampled schools is encouraged to attend.

To register, contact Stephanie Weideman at (605) 773-3783. stephanie.weideman@state.sd.us.

Free workshop targets effective teaching practices

Quality Teaching: Meeting the Challenge, a workshop for new and veteran teachers, will be held Nov. 9-10, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Mitchell Technical Institute. Participants will create a teaching plan that utilizes the processes of good alignment, standards and rubrics. They also will learn strategies for teaching to different types of learners. The workshop is designed to model proven instruction strategies that engage students in challenging standards-based work.

The workshop will be led by Donna Walker Tileston, Ed.D., the award-winning author of 12 books on brain research, learning and practical applications in the classroom.

Sponsored by the Department of Education’s Office of Career and Technical Education, this workshop is free. To register, visit www.state.sd.us/deca/DWCP/highschools/index.htm and click on “Upcoming Events.” For more information, contact Marsha Kucker at (605) 224-6287. mkucker@tie.net

Career and technical education focus of workshops

The department’s Office of Career and Technical Education will host two workshops in October for career and technical education instructors. Workshops are set for Oct. 13, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at Lake Area Technical Institute’s Technology Center in Watertown and Oct. 14, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at Northern State University’s Student Union in Aberdeen.

Participants will learn to set measurable goals and to identify the strategic steps necessary to meet those goals. They also will be shown how complete and accurate data can be used in making decisions concerning their programs. The workshops help the state in meeting review standards set at the national level.

For information, contact Gary Grey, State Supervisor, Agricultural Education, at (605) 773-4726. gary.grey@state.sd.us.

Funds available to assist National Board candidates with application fee

A Candidate Subsidy Program is available to teachers seeking National Board Certification. The program awards funds to teachers for partial payment of their candidate fees. Funds for the subsidy program are provided by the U.S. Congress through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Subsidies of $500 to $1,000 will be awarded to eligible National Board Certification candidates until funds are obligated.

South Dakota teachers seeking National Board Certification may download an application from the department’s Web site at www.state.sd.us/deca/Secretary/. Completed applications must be postmarked by Oct. 29, 2004, or hand-delivered by 5 p.m. CST on Oct. 29.

Further details are included on the application. Questions regarding this process can be directed to Roxie Thielen at (605) 773-5669. roxie.thielen@state.sd.us.

Videos for bus driver training available

As per ARSD 24:06:08 and SDCL 32-12A-27, an annual training is required by all school bus drivers. If you have drivers that missed the training sessions conducted by Harlow’s Bus Sales, please be advised that the Department of Education has videos available for your use.

Once your driver without training has reviewed the videos with someone from your district that has attended a train-the-trainer session, please submit the driver’s name, social security number and school district to School Bus Inc., 5100 W. 8th St., Sioux Falls SD 57107. This is necessary to ensure that your school bus drivers will be accounted for and you will be able to sign off on your assurance statement by the Oct. 15 deadline. If any of your drivers have not attended a refresher course this year, you will have to select “NO” on the bus driver portion of your Personnel Record Form. Checking “NO” will not allow you to complete your assurance statement and you will need to call Deedra Gesinger at (605) 773-6934.

Be sure to book mark our Web site for monthly updates from School Bus Inc. found under “School Bus Information” at www.state.sd.us/deca/OPA .

Grant money available to fund Schools That Work

Schools interested in implementing the High Schools That Work or Making Middle Grades That Work programs can apply for funding. The Department of Education has received $80,000 from the Great Plains Educational Foundation to implement the program in select schools around the state.

Designed to raise student achievement, the program focuses on a school environment that include high expectations for students, work-based learning, actively engaged students, student assessment and program evaluation.

For further information and an application form, contact Marsha Kucker at (605) 224-6287. mkucker@tie.net