2005
  • Secretary's Column: We know what they know, but what can they do?
  • Troops to Teachers comes to South Dakota
  • Get Atomic Learning, Digital Curriculum now
  • Make plans to celebrate Constitution Day
  • New accreditation rules take effect in 2006-07
  • Free professional development available
  • New Ed Directory now online
  • News from the food front
  • South Dakota Schools Walk gets kids moving
  • Bus driver training held via DDN
  • Upcoming Events

Secretary's Column

We know what they know, but what can they do?

There have been few events that have changed the shape of public education as much as the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Over the past three years, school districts across the nation have been focused on identifying specific content standards and developing teaching strategies to reinforce those standards. Statewide exams also have been developed to test students’ knowledge of those standards.

What has this effort produced? It has helped to define what students should know as well as a specific way to measure that knowledge. South Dakota educators and students have responded to this challenge in a very positive way, and our scores reflect that effort.

As we become acclimated to this new accountability system, there has been increasing discussion about a concept called “21st century skills.” These skills are essentially what employers are looking for in future employees. Ironically, many of these skills do not reflect what we are focusing on with the No Child Left Behind accountability system. 21st century skills include such skills as problem solving, team work, civic engagement and global literacy. In the past, these skills were called “soft skills,” but they appear to be taking on a life of their own.

What does this mean for schools? Most educators would acknowledge that the demonstration of knowledge should be a staple for our academic programs. I fully expect that we will begin a movement to add another type of assessment to our current list of tests. This new assessment would be more of a demonstration of learning that is designed, at least in part, by the student. It might include traditional academic areas, but would more likely involve other areas such as the arts as a part of that presentation.

In closing, there have been numerous studies conducted about the importance of a well-rounded education for all high school students. The South Dakota Department of Education remains committed to our current testing program and exploring other assessment options that may demonstrate what our students can do.

Troops to Teachers comes to South Dakota

Former military personnel are finding their way into classrooms nationwide, via an innovative program called Troops to Teachers. The program helps military personnel move from the armed forces into the classroom. It benefits schools by providing them with experienced professional people, who can help to ease teacher shortages.

As of January 2005, more than 8,000 Troops to Teachers participants had been hired in the nation’s public schools. Eleven participants will teach in South Dakota schools during the 2005-06 school year.

“It’s a win-win situation for both schools and participants,” said Melody Schopp, director of accreditation and teacher quality, South Dakota Department of Education.

The program connects participants with information, institutions and people that can help them meet state certification requirements for teachers. They also benefit from the financial assistance that the program provides. Stipends of up to $5,000 are available to qualified recipients, to help cover the costs of participating in a teacher preparation program. Bonuses of up to $10,000 are available to those who commit to teach in a specific high-need school for three years.

A high-need school is defined as one that has a 50 percent or more free and reduced lunch participation rate or a 13 percent Individual with Disabilities Education Act rate.

Participating schools benefit from the program, too. They get well-educated, experienced professionals to serve in their classrooms. “The people who participate in this program tend to be stable, dedicated men and women. Historically, they have proven to be good role models for students,” Schopp said.

For more information about the program and how your school can participate, contact the Northern Plains Troops to Teachers regional office at 1-866-478-3224. www.montana.edu/ttt.

Get Atomic Learning, Digital Curriculum now

The Department of Education is offering two new products – Atomic Learning and Digital Curriculum – to all public K-12 schools. These products are free.

Atomic Learning, a Web-based software training, teaches effective software use through short, simple tutorials. The tutorials answer common questions that people have when learning to use a variety of software programs. They address both Windows and Macintosh platforms.

Digital Curriculum offers streaming video online. The package includes more than 1,000 complete curriculum videos; 3,600 key concept video clips; 5,700 online quiz questions; 2,200 downloadable photos – perfect for multimedia projects; comprehensive lesson plans and teaching guides; and much more. The resources span all grade levels and cover a host of topics. The Digital Curriculum Web site is tied to South Dakota ’s content standards.

To gain access to the products, schools need to obtain a user name and password. Please contact Gay Pickner, Department of Education, at (605) 280-3613. gay.pickner@state.sd.us.

Make plans to celebrate Constitution Day

On Dec. 8, 2004, President Bush signed a bill that designates Sept. 17 as Constitution Day. According to this law every educational institution receiving federal funding is required to hold an educational program pertaining to the United States Constitution on Sept. 17 of each year. This fall, the nation will celebrate the event on Friday, Sept. 16 (since the 17 th falls on a Saturday).

A selection of resources is posted on the department’s Web site at the following address: doe.sd.gov/octa/curriculum/socialstudies.asp

The Department of Education is not planning any events to coincide with this celebration of the U.S. Constitution, but any questions can be directed to Jennifer Neuhauser at (605) 773-2533 or jennifer.neuhauser@state.sd.us.

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.

Free professional development available

South Dakota teachers can access free professional development via the United Star Distance Learning Consortium. The Department of Education is working with the consortium to offer 175 hours of streamed video and 1,000 hours of online study modules. The professional development opportunities will be available throughout the 2005-06 school year. Teachers can choose from the following opportunities:  

No Child Left Behind: Achieving Academic Excellence Series provides 75 hours of streamed video with supporting online materials for K-12 teachers and administrators.

Literacy to Learn:  Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum addresses the national three-hour certification requirement and assists lateral-entry teachers. There are 60 to 180 hours of online field activities offered. This research-based model also may be included in a National Board Certification applicant’s portfolio.

Media Programs: Best Practices for School Library Media Programs (20 hours streamed, 30 hours online): This series presents examples of effective media programs by offering “workshops-in-a-box” that can be used to train not only library media coordinators, but also administrators and teaching staff. The online modules supplement the streamed video by leading course participants through a series of activities that explore the components of effective media programs.

Keynote Programs:  The “From the Experts” series includes 40 hours of streamed video from nationally recognized education experts. The experts address current topics in education. Presenters include: Rick Stiggins, Clare Jones, Fred D’Ignazio, Doug Johnson, Willard Daggett, Cheryl Lemke, Miriam Leiva, Heidi Hayes Jacobs, Chris Dede, and more.

Resources:  Find resources such as an online print library and streamed “Experience Odyssey” to enhance your curriculum. 

Teachers can register now for the entire school year. Go to the DDN4Learning Program Guide (BRETT: LINK TO doe.sd.gov/octa/ddn4learning/programguide/index.asp.) Click on “Professional Development Stream Videos & Other Resources.”

Some renewal credit is available for these programs. For information, contact Rita Thomas-Jones at (605) 773-2490. rita.thomas-jones@state.sd.us.

New Ed Directory now online

Need to contact one of your colleagues at another school? The 2005-06 South Dakota Ed Directory provides names, addresses, phone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses for administrators at South Dakota ’s public school districts. It also includes contact information for a number of nonpublic schools, tribal schools, multi-districts, cooperatives, and similar entities.

The 2005-05 South Dakota Ed Directory is now available on the department’s Web site. From the home page, click on “SD Ed Directory” under “Quick Links” in the far left column.

The new and improved Ed Directory is directly linked to the data submission site. When you make changes to any of your contact information, the online Ed Directory is immediately updated.

News from the food front

Inspections, verification deadlines change in 2005-06

As the school year gets into full swing, administrators need to be aware of several important changes regarding school food service. These changes are a result of federal legislation and are effective as of the 2005-06 school year.

Food service inspections beefed up

Schools that participate in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast programs will be required to undergo two food-service inspections per year. That’s up from two inspections every five years.

Beginning July 1, 2005 , all sites where meals are prepared and/or served fall under this new requirement. Most inspections are completed by the state’s Department of Public Safety staff – a practice that will continue. Inspections also can be conducted by agencies such as the Bureau of Indian Affairs Public Health Service and local health departments. The inspections are unannounced and coordinated by the state. There is no cost to schools for the inspections.

Under the new law, schools must post the results of the food-service inspections in a public place. The report is to remain posted until a new inspection is completed. Schools must provide a copy of the report to any member of the public who requests it.

Finally, under the new law, the State of South Dakota must submit a report of inspections to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

For more information about food-service inspections, please contact Marlyce Micklos in the department’s Child and Adult Nutrition Services office at (605) 773-3610. marylce.micklos@state.sd.us.

New deadlines for verification process

Beginning with the 2005-06 school year, schools will be required to count the number of approved free and reduced lunch applications that they have on file as of Oct. 1, 2005 . The verification process must be completed at the local level by Nov. 15. The completed summary form for verification, which will be provided in NSLP Memo #51.2, is due to Child and Adult Nutrition Services by March 1, 2006 .

Questions can be directed to Marlyce Micklos at (605) 773-3610. marylce.micklos@state.sd.us.

South Dakota Schools Walk gets kids moving

For the fourth year, the Coordinated School Health Program (CSH) will promote walking in schools as a way to increase physical activity and help combat obesity among youth. The program, which targets elementary schools, is called South Dakota Schools Walk.

According to the 2003-04 School Height and Weight Report, nearly 32 percent of South Dakota students were overweight or at-risk for being overweight.

The program encourages students and staff to find time to walk during the school day. It includes fitness-inspired incentives from CSH, while supplies last! Some sample activities include: Tuesday Treks, where Tuesdays are designated as a day that students and staff walk at recess; and Walk to School Week, a one-day event designed to raise awareness about the benefits of walking or bicycling to school.

Elementary teachers will be able to register their classes online by mid-September. Please check back to the SD Schools Walk Web site for updated information at that time.

For more information, contact Beth Davis at (605) 773-6808. beth.davis@state.sd.us.

Bus driver training held via DDN

A DDN-based School Bus Driver In-Service will broadcast from Clark on Sept. 28 and again on Oct. 5. Both broadcasts will run from 6 to 10 p.m. (CST). The training, led by Harlow ’s Bus Sales Inc., is intended for drivers who haven’t yet received the mandatory training this year. The sites listed below are scheduled to participate in the broadcast.

Sept. 28

  • Isabel – High School, (605) 466-2125
  • Sisseton – High School, (605) 698-7613
  • Flandreau – Middle School, (605) 997-2455
  • Arlington – High School, (605) 938-5598 ext. 268
  • Hoven – High School, (605) 948-2252
  • Bison – High School, (605) 244-5961
  • Shannon County – Batesland Library, (605) 288-1948

Oct. 5

  • Parker – Old High School , (605) 297-3456
  • Jones County – High School, (605) 669-2258
  • McIntosh – High School, (605) 273-4298
  • Northwestern Area – High School, (605) 887-3467
  • Brookings – Mikkelson Middle School , (605) 696-4148
  • Shannon County – Wolf Creek Elementary School , (605) 867-5174

If you have drivers that still need training and your district is located near a scheduled site, please call that district’s technical coordinator to make arrangements. Some sites have limited capacity. These sessions will be the last training opportunities offered by Harlow ’s for the fall.

Some opportunities to host a broadcast site are still available in western and central South Dakota . Districts in those areas that might be interested in hosting a site should contact Dan Duenwald in Clark at (605) 532-3836, dand@itctel.com, or Donna Wik in Webster at (605) 345-4023, harlowsd@itctel.com.

Upcoming Events

For Professional Development Opportunities, visit www.southdakotapd.com.

State Aid Study Task Force to meet
The State Aid Study Task Force is scheduled to meet for the first time Sept. 6-7 at the Ramkota in Pierre . Meeting times are 6-10 p.m. on Sept. 6, and 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sept. 7.

The task force was formed in accordance with a law that charges the South Dakota Department of Education with reviewing the current K-12 education funding formula. The task force’s role is to advise the department as it conducts the review.

Mitchell Tech to host Board of Education

The South Dakota Board of Education will hold its September meeting at Mitchell Technical Institute in Mitchell. Dates of the meeting are Sept. 19-20. A complete agenda will be available soon at www.doe.sd.gov/secretary/board/schedule.asp.

LifeSkills training offered
 The Northeast Prevention Resource Center, in collaboration with the South Dakota Coordinated School Health Program, is offering two LifeSkills trainings this fall. Trainings are slated for Sept. 26-27 in Rapid City and Dec. 1-2 in Sioux Falls .

Life Skills is a proven, highly effective, skills-based substance abuse prevention program.

For more information, visit www.humanserviceagency.org/neprc.htm and click on “Life Skills Training 2005” at the bottom of the page.

DACS trainings offered
Regional training sessions on the Dakota Assessment of Content Standards (DACS) will be offered to those new to DACS and those who have not used the system for some time. Sessions will be held the week of Oct. 10 in four locations (listed below). There will be two sessions held at each site: the first runs from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. , and the second runs from 1 to 4 p.m.

Participants will learn how to:

  • Navigate through the program
  • Interpret school-level reports
  • Interpret teacher reports
  • Examine and interpret test data to inform instruction

The workshops will be conducted in a computer lab. Participants must bring their DACS site id, staff id and password with them.

Schedule and Locations

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City EEP Building , Room 307
Oct. 11

Riggs High School , Pierre
Room 202
Oct. 12

Lake Area Technical Institute, Watertown MEC Building
Room 921
Oct. 13

Mitchell Technical Institute, Mitchell
MTI Tech Center , Room 126
Oct. 14

Registration is required and must be completed online by Sept. 23 at www.southdakotapd.com/. Space is limited, so please register early.

Questions can be directed to Stephanie Weideman at (605) 773-3783 or stephanie.weideman@state.sd.us.

Workshop addresses role of leadership in curriculum mapping

The Department of Education will conduct a one-day workshop titled “Role of Building Leadership in the Curriculum Mapping Process.” The workshop is slated for Oct. 11, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. , at the Ramkota in Pierre . Dr. Susan Udelhofen will lead the session.

Designed for school administrators, the workshop will address key concepts such as:

  • Overview of curriculum mapping process
  • Curriculum consensus-building and decision-making
  • Curriculum mapping and teach er evaluation
  • Time management strategies
  • Building leadership teams
    • Building a curriculum mapping cabinet
    • Looking at feeder patterns
  • The relationship with ESAs
  • Creating a map of mapping
    • Staff development
    • Curriculum mapping implementation plans
    • One, two and three plans
  • Beyond building the maps

Registration for this session is available at www.southdakotapd.com.

Satellite seminar address school wellness policy

The National Food Service Management Institute will offer a satellite seminar conference on Oct. 18 to address the new school wellness policy requirement. The two-hour session will provide school nutrition professionals and other school and community stakeholders with the latest information about school wellness policies.

The department’s Child and Adult Nutrition Services office is coordinating South Dakota ’s participation in this satellite seminar.

For information on how to participate, please contact Amy Richards at (605) 773-4718. amy.richards@state.sd.us.

Writing to Win© workshop scheduled

The department’s Office of Career and Technical Education is sponsoring Writing to Win©, Oct. 31-Nov. 1, at the Ramkota in Pierre .

Year one of the three-year system focuses on “Journal Writing for Critical Thinking” and aims to help teachers improve students’ writing, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. Dr. Warren Combs, developer of the Writing to Win© system, will lead the training.

The training will target career and technical education (CTE) teachers. It will assist them in developing strategies to increase student knowledge and application in CTE programs. Writing to Win© is currently implemented in Emery and Flandreau.

Participants are asked to bring the following resources to the workshop:

  • Copy of the district/school’s writing curriculum
  • Sample teacher’s textbook for content area
  • Course syllabi
  • Laptop computer
  • Curriculum maps

College credit and renewal credit are available. For information, contact Marsha Kucker at (605) 367-7680, mkucker@edec.org or Gloria Smith-Rockhold at (605) 773-4747, gloria.smith-rockhold@state.sd.us.

Registration is available online at www.southdakotapd.com. The deadline to register is Oct. 21.