• Secretary's Column:
• 2005 writing scores show mixed results
• Advanced placement focus of summer institute
• Lifetime certificates: What is the status?
• Regents Diploma offered in 2005-06

• Participate in 2006 School Health Profiles Survey

• Retiring, outstanding bus drivers to be recognized

• Upcoming Events

Secretary's Column

5 to 8 not 8 to 5

As I write this article, we are heading into our 4^th week of the 2006 Legislature. As you can imagine, this session is heating up, and we are knee-deep in discussions on school funding, home school issues, sex education issues, and school efficiencies.  I have described the legislative session to some as the equivalent of a 35-day school board meeting!  It is easy to get lost in the multitude of issues that are surrounding the state and our school systems in South Dakota. 

As I think about school administrators’ work in the state of South Dakota, I am reminded of the same types of issues. As you head into this time of the year, you also have one eye on the legislative process in Pierre. In addition, you are dealing with the preparation of school budgets. Teacher negotiation issues are on the horizon, activities are in full swing, and the normal challenges of making parents and students happy during a school year.

The fact is: We are constantly surrounded by issues that need to be resolved during the course of the day. It is easy to assume that the issues that we work on from 8 to 5 are the most important things that we do. However, as I age and work through educational issues, I am constantly reminded that what I do from 8 to 5 is not as important as what I do from 5 to 8. The issues from 8 to 5 will always be there. The labels change, but the issues remain the same. However, when I begin to think about what is eternal and ultimately important, most of those issues seem to surface from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. the next day.

The challenge as a school leader is to keep those issues separate and in perspective. The issues that we are dealing with during the day, and specifically during this legislative session, are temporary. Even though they are important and deserve our attention, none of them are more important than faith, family and friends. During the busiest times of the year, I am reminded periodically of the importance of those things in my life that are eternal. I am also reminded that I never seem to get ahead of the issues that surface from 8 to 5 – things that are important but certainly not eternal.

During this very busy time of the year, I hope that you are able to keep all of these matters in perspective as well. Work hard, give your constituents your best, but most importantly, don’t deny time and energy for your faith, family and friends.

2005 writing scores show mixed results

South Dakota’s 5^th-grade students showed improvement on the 2005 Stanford Writing Assessment, while 9^th-grade students saw a decline in scores.

Fifty percent of 5^th-grade students scored at the “proficient” level – up from 42 percent in 2004. Sixty-four percent of 9^th-grade students scored at the “proficient” level – down from 68 percent in 2004.

The assessment, a nationally normed writing test to measure students’ ability to comprehend and express themselves, was administered to South Dakota students last October. It evaluates a student’s writing based on six characteristics: ideas and development; organization, unity and coherence; word choice; sentences and paragraphs; grammar and usage; and writing mechanics.

The percentage of students scoring at “proficient” or higher on each of the characteristics is shown below:

Individual student scores, classroom scores and school scores are provided to school districts. Teachers are able to analyze students’ performance and adjust classroom instruction to strengthen areas of weakness.

Advanced placement focus of summer institutes
 

The Department of Education invites public school teachers to attend Advanced Placement (AP) Institutes during the summer of 2006. AP Institutes are weeklong workshops in which teachers of a specific subject area come together to learn, in detail, about teaching an AP course. Participating teachers will be paid a $50 per-day stipend and reimbursed for room and board.

Teachers who participate in an AP Institute will receive help in understanding content, choosing texts and supplementary materials, and identifying contacts that can help them as they teach their specific AP course.

A list of AP Institutes, including contacts, appears below. In addition to enrolling in the AP Institute, participants must complete a registration form with the Department of Education, in order to ensure payment of stipend and room-and-board reimbursement.

UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE DATES:

Black Hills State University

World History - June 25-29 - Sasha Pursley

Contact: George Earley
(605) 642-6270
georgeearley@bhsu.edu
 

Black Hills State University

Statistics - June 11-15 - Richard Gayle

Contact: George Earley
(605) 642-6270
georgeearley@bhsu.edu
 

Dakota State University

Computer Science A - June 26-30 - Judith Williams

Contact: Stephan Krebsbach
(605) 256-5114
Stephan.Krebsbach@dsu.edu
 

Northern State University

Art (2-D) - June 19-23 - Matt Karzol

Contact: Al LaFave
(605) 626-2500
lafavea@northern.edu
 

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

English Language & Composition - June 25-29 -  Kathy Antonen and Leonard Kupersmith

Contact: Vi Stoltz
(605) 394-2256
vi.stoltz@sdsmt.edu
 

South Dakota State University

Calculus AB - June 19-23 - Ross Abraham

Contact: Jo Ann Sckerl
(605) 688-4217
JoAnn.Sckerl@sdstate.edu
 

South Dakota State University

Environmental Science - June 19-23 - Jerome Krueger

Contact: Jo Ann Sckerl
(605) 688-4217
JoAnn.Sckerl@sdstate.edu
 

University of South Dakota

U.S. History - June 26-30 - Robert Hilderbrand

Contact: Kurt Hackemer
(605) 677-5218
Kurt.Hackemer@usd.edu

To participate in this program, teachers should follow these steps:

• Enroll in the AP Institute with the appropriate institution and pay all appropriate fees.

• Complete and return a course registration authorization to: Michelle Mehlberg, Department of Education, 700 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501. Request a form by e-mailing michelle.mehlberg@state.sd.us.  

• Upon receipt of the course registration form, an award letter will be sent to the participant’s school, along with documents that must be filed with the Department of Education.

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Lifetime certificates: What is the status?

In recent months, the Office of Accreditation and Teacher Quality has received inquiries regarding the advanced professional certificate. In 1980, administrative rules were put in place that approved an “advanced professional certificate” – sometimes referred to as the “lifetime certificate.” This short-lived certificate was granted to individuals who had obtained an advanced degree and had applied for the designation.

The rule was repealed on July 1, 1983. However, it allowed for the advanced professional certificates to remain valid as long as the educator meets at least one of the following requirements:

Has a minimum of eight months of actual teaching experience in a state-accredited elementary or secondary school during each five-year period;

Engages in other educational work at least eight months during each five-year period; or

Earns a minimum of six semester or nine quarter hours of college or renewal credit in academic subjects or professional education during each five-year period.

If an individual does not meet one of the above requirements, a one-year certificate with applicable expiration dates may be issued, depending on how recently the educator received renewal credit. The applicant will then need to renew the certificate with six semester or renewal hours of credit every five years.

Questions regarding these “lifetime certificates” can be directed to the department’s certification officers at certification@state.sd.us or (605) 773-3134.

Regents Scholar Diplomas will be offered again in 2005-06. The program, run by the Department of Education and Board of Regents, recognizes graduating high school seniors who have demonstrated academic excellence.

Students must meet minimum academic requirements to be eligible for the Regents Scholar Diploma. High school administrators are responsible for requesting the special certificates for those students who qualify. The certificates often are presented during graduation ceremonies.

Requirements for the Regents Scholar Diploma can be found online at doe.sd.gov/secretary/regents.asp. You also will find instructions on how to submit names for this designation.

The Regents Scholar Diploma should not be confused with the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship, which awards scholarship dollars to qualifying high school graduates.

Participate in 2006 School Health Profiles Survey

The 2006 School Health Profiles Survey has been mailed to a random sampling of elementary teachers and principals, and secondary lead health teachers and principals. The survey provides valuable information related to health education across South Dakota. 

If you have not completed your survey, please take a few minutes to do so. All individuals who complete the survey will be sent a $10 Wal-Mart gift card to use for their school. In addition, all who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing for several larger prizes.

For technical questions about the survey, please contact our lead researcher Dr. Mark Baron, University of South Dakota, at mbaron@usd.edu or (605) 677-5269. Health to you!   

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Retiring, outstanding bus drivers to be recognized

Each year, the South Dakota School Transportation Association (SDSTA) recognizes retiring bus drivers. Superintendents are invited to submit the names of their retirees via an online nomination form. Completed nominations must be received no later than April 15, in order to have them ready in time for local award ceremonies. The form can be found at http://doe.sd.gov/oatq/transportation/newsletters.asp.

In addition, school districts that are members of SDSTA may nominate one of their drivers for South Dakota School Bus Driver of the Year. Completed nominations must be received no later than May 31. The form can be found at http://doe.sd.gov/oatq/transportation/newsletters.asp.

For more information, contact Carol Uecker at (605) 773-4771 or carol.uecker@state.sd.us.

Upcoming Events

For a more complete list of professional development opportunities, visit www.southdakotapd.com.

HOT TOPICS: Testing workshops offered across state

In preparation for this spring’s testing administration, the Department of Education offers test coordinators the opportunity to attend Dakota STEP Pre-Test and Stanford Writing Post-Test Workshops. The workshops will be held Feb. 27-March 3, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., in Rapid City, Aberdeen, Pierre and Sioux Falls. (See schedule below.)

The workshops will help schools prepare for spring testing by addressing the following topics: testing students with disabilities, alternate assessment use, test administration issues, and proper packaging and shipping. In addition, there will be an update on Stanford Writing results from fall 2005.

Workshop Schedule:

Pre-registration is required and available online at www.southdakotapd.com/registration.asp. The deadline to register is Feb. 17.

NOTE: Harcourt’s Spectrum site for ordering Dakota STEP testing materials will re-open March 6-17.

For more information, contact Gay Pickner at (605) 773-3247 or gay.pickner@state.sd.us.