New accreditation rules take effect in 2006-07
The Department of Education has rewritten the rules specific to “Accreditation and School Improvement” found in Article 24:43 of South Dakota ’s Administrative Rules.
Currently, districts must sign assurances and submit data each spring and fall, in order to become accredited. In addition to these elements, the new rules will require that districts and schools submit an improvement plan. If a district or school has accreditation through an outside accrediting agency that has been approved by the department, this will be accepted in lieu of the state accreditation requirements. Districts also will be required to participate in an on-site review every five years.
Details of the new requirements will be formalized over the 2005-06 school year. A task force, consisting of representatives from public, private and tribal schools, will outline the specific guidelines and procedures for the accreditation process.
Once the guidelines are finalized, they will be sent out well in advance to prepare for the 2006-07 school year.
|
