• Secretary's Column:

• Governor provides vision, goals for education in South Dakota

• Teacher certification process goes online

• Teacher shortage areas designated 

• Nine teachers earn profession’s top honor

• Nominations for 2006 American Stars of Teaching sought 

• South Dakota leader in Braille graphics production
• Upcoming Events

Secretary's Column

The Pearls of 2010E

Since the Governor announced the 2010 Education Initiative on January 4, there has been discussion about three main initiatives that are part of the plan. The preschool program, the classroom connection (laptop initiative) and the teacher compensation assistance program have received a great deal of discussion in media coverage. Even though those programs are very important to the overall initiative, there are other programs that may be of equal or more importance in the long run. Here is a quick summary of a few of those programs.

Virtual school

The State of South Dakota is looking seriously at establishing a statewide virtual high school.  There are other quality virtual schools around the state, and we fully expect that those programs will continue. However, it is important for the state to get its arms around the virtual school issue and begin to provide some guidance and direction for schools around the state. We in the department believe that this initiative could have a far-reaching impact to how high schools operate and how student counts are made at the high school level.

Senior projects

Many would believe that the high school experience isn’t as relevant as it should be to the young people in our schools across the state. One way to help students reflect on their learning and to begin to examine what they have gained from their high school experience is to have them engage in a senior project. There are a number of school districts across the state that have an interest in this concept, and we are hoping that more districts express an interest and begin to implement a senior project into their high school curriculum. We believe the project does make school more meaningful for students and provides them with an opportunity to tell others what they have learned in high school.

American Indian graduation rate

Clearly, the graduation rate for American Indian students isn’t as high as we would like. The Department of Education is excited about the Gear-Up grant, which we have received to assist in helping American Indian students graduate from high school. Beginning in the summer of 2006, we will attempt to engage over 400 7^th graders in a summer enrichment program that will be followed up with a mentoring program throughout the year. The hope would be to add that same number of 7^th graders every year. Over a six-year period, we would have many more American Indian youth in a program that will assist them in graduating from high school and moving on to post-secondary education.

I would encourage you to take some time to review the 2010 education initiative.  You can access the goals, objectives and initiatives on our Web site at www.2010education.com. We appreciate any support you can give the Department of Education on this very important initiative.

Governor provides vision, goals for education in South Dakota

Governor Mike Rounds launched the 2010 Education Initiative on Jan. 4. The initiative provides a vision for the future of education in South Dakota, as well as a plan of measurable goals and objectives for achieving that vision.

“The future of our children is too important to be left to chance. South Dakota’s children need the academic tools that will allow them to succeed in a world where the competition for economic opportunity is increasingly challenging,” Rounds said. “This plan will serve as a road map that will guide South Dakota’s public education system in the next century. It offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change the shape of how education is delivered in South Dakota.”

The plan features specific and measurable goals, objectives and action steps that fall under three major areas: Starting Strong, Finishing Strong and Staying Strong. The goals are as follows:

• Goal 1: By 2010, all third grade students will be proficient – or on a learning plan to become proficient – in reading and math.

• Goal 2:  By 2010, South Dakota will be first in the nation for the percentage of students going on to college, technical school or advanced training.

• Goal 3: By 2010, the postsecondary education system will fully meet the needs of the state’s changing economy and its citizens.

• Goal 4: By 2010, South Dakota will build its educator base through targeted recruitment, retention and training.

• Goal 5:  By 2010, South Dakota will increase educational outcomes for American Indian students.

• Goal 6: By 2010, South Dakota will target financial resources to improve classroom instruction and educational opportunities.

“Each of the 50-plus initiatives listed in this plan causes something to change within the education system. Some of these changes are minor. Some are not. Together, they represent a paradigm shift in our education system,” Rounds said. “For those school districts that choose to participate, the benefits to students will pay off for generations to come.” 

The first major piece of the 2010E plan, called Starting Strong, provides for a continuum of services for South Dakota’s youngest learners. It lays the foundation for future academic success through initiatives such as access to preschool screening, coordinating preschool opportunities for all 4-year-olds, targeted training for teachers, and development of an assessment tool to measure student progress in the primary grades.

“Any educator will tell you that the earlier students fall behind in school, the harder it is for them to catch up,” said Dr. Rick Melmer, secretary of the South Dakota Department of Education. “Starting Strong gives our youngsters the best start possible.”

One of the highlights of Starting Strong is the coordination of preschool services. “Under this plan, qualified 4-year-olds will have access to quality preschool,” Melmer said. The plan calls for a blended approach to preschool, featuring partnerships between local school districts, Head Start and private preschool providers. Any preschool – public or private – that meets accreditation requirements would be eligible to participate in the program.

The second major piece of the 2010 Education Initiative, called Finishing Strong, provides opportunities that prepare all students for postsecondary education and success in today’s highly competitive world.

“At the high school level, Finishing Strong provides students with a rigorous, relevant experience that sufficiently prepares them for future learning,” Melmer said. It outlines the use of tools such as personal learning plans, senior projects, accelerated learning courses, and virtual school.

Finishing Strong also includes a laptop initiative, which provides incentive money for school districts to initiate one-to-laptop programs for high school students. “This program is not simply about putting computers into the hands of high school students. It is about changing the way teachers teach and students learn.”

At the postsecondary level, Finishing Strong focuses on increasing the proportion of South Dakota citizens graduating from college and with graduate degrees. It also aims to provide access to lifelong education, to support a growing knowledge-based economy.

The final piece of the 2010 Education plan is Staying Strong. Goals in this area cover teacher recruitment and retention, educational outcomes for American Indian students, and funding.

“This part of the plan outlines steps that we can take to build and expand our base of talented teachers,” Melmer said. It creates mentoring programs for teachers new to the field, provides support to teachers pursuing advanced degrees, and assists districts interested in addressing teacher compensation.

Under the plan, American Indian students will be able to participate in intensive summer school academies designed to prepare them for graduation and postsecondary education. “We have great hopes for this program, which includes strong academic and support components for these young people,” Melmer said.

 “South Dakota should be proud of its education system,” Rounds concluded. “Working together, we will make our education system even better. Most importantly, we will provide our young people with the opportunities for success that they so deserve. That’s what this initiative is all about – providing opportunities for kids. And if we follow this road map, the kids will be the winners.”

Teacher certification process goes online

Teachers now are able to apply for initial and renewal certification online and pay by credit card. Paper applications also remain an option.

“We understand that educators lead busy, hectic lives,” said Melody Schopp, director of the Office of Accreditation and Teacher Quality. “We wanted to provide them with the convenience of an online application process available any time of the day or night.”

With the new system in place, the department will not send paper applications to each district for those teachers that are due to renew this year. Instead, individual notices have been mailed to the principal of each attendance center for distribution. The notice encourages teachers to apply through the new online system. The Web address listed on the notice will direct them to the Office of Accreditation and Teacher Quality’s Web site, which includes both the online application and the link to a paper copy.

Teachers should submit their renewal applications in a timely fashion. Rules that became effective July 1, 2005, require applicants whose certificates have lapsed to submit verification of their passing scores on the state certification exams for each subject or area authorization for which they are certified.

For more information, contact the Office of Accreditation and Teacher Quality at (605) 773-3553 or certification@state.sd.us.

Teacher shortage areas designated

The U.S. Department of Education has designated the following areas as teacher shortage areas for the 2004-05 and 2005-06 school years.

All subjects at the elementary and secondary levels in the following areas: 

• Bennett County

• Corson County

• Jackson County

• Mellette County

• Shannon County

• Todd County

• Cheyenne Indian Reservation

• Crow Creek Indian Reservation

• Lower Brule Indian Reservation

This federal designation of teacher shortage areas enables borrowers who had no outstanding Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) on July 1, 1987, but who had an outstanding FFEL on July 1, 1993, to qualify for deferment of loan repayment under the Federal Stafford and Federal Supplemental Loans for Students (SLS) programs anytime within the life of the borrower’s loan(s). 

The principals at the schools are the delegated authority to provide certification that eligible borrowers or scholars are teaching in a designated teacher shortage area.  

For information concerning deferment under the Stafford Loan or SLS programs, the borrower should contact the Federal Student Aid Hotline at 1-800-4FED-AID.

In addition, this designation allows Paul Douglas scholars to qualify for the reduction of teaching obligations under the Paul Douglas Teacher Scholarship Program. Details concerning the reduction of a teacher’s obligation can contact Roxie Thielen at the South Dakota Department of Education, (605) 773-4699, roxie.thielen@state.sd.us.

Nine teachers earn profession’s top honor

Nine classroom teachers from South Dakota are among the 7,289 elementary and secondary school teachers nationwide to achieve National Board Certification in 2005.  This achievement brings the total number of National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) in South Dakota to 41. The national total is 47,503.

“These teachers are leaders in their profession and deserve praise for their dedication to student achievement,” said Dr. Rick Melmer, secretary of the South Dakota Department of Education. “The Department of Education is pleased to support their efforts.”

South Dakota’s 2005 recipients include:

• Christine Cope, Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood, Harrisburg School District
• Nancy Hallenbeck, Generalist/Middle Childhood, Sioux Falls School District
• Louise Lindskov, Science/Adolescence and Young Adulthood, Timber Lake School District
• Nichole Melius, Career and Technical Education/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood, Faulkton School District
• Mandie Menzel, Career and Technical Education/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood, Dupree School District

•  Laura Raeder, Social Studies – History/Adolescence and Young Adulthood, Sioux Falls School District

•  Kelly Rotert, Generalist/Middle Childhood, Huron School District

•  Sharla Steever, Generalist/Middle Childhood; Hill City School District

• Stephanie Williams, English Language Arts/Adolescence and Young Adulthood, Wall School District

Nominations for 2006 American Stars of Teaching sought

Once again, the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) will honor outstanding classroom teachers through the American Stars of Teaching program. The USDOE’s Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative is seeking nominations and information about teachers who are improving student achievement, using innovative strategies in the classroom, and making a difference in the lives of their students.

Teachers across all grade levels and disciplines will be honored this fall as 2006 American Stars of Teaching. Parents, students, colleagues, school administrators and others can nominate an exemplary teacher who they believe has the qualities to be an American Star of Teaching. One teacher will be recognized from each state.

To learn more or to nominate a teacher to become an American Star of Teaching, visit the Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative Web site All nominations must be completed by April 15.

The USDOE received more than 2,000 nominations for the 2005 school year. South Dakota’s honoree for 2005 was Lloyd Trautmann.

South Dakota leader in Braille graphics production

Today, almost 50 percent of the information in textbooks is visual, as opposed to text. This shift in publishing practices has created an urgent need for change in the way that Braille format textbooks are produced.

The South Dakota State Library and the Department of Corrections’ Pheasantland Industries have collaborated with staff from the Braille Authority of North America to create the first Tactile Graphics Center in the nation. Twelve inmates have been trained in the process. 

In addition to the textual Braille for each page of a textbook, this center will produce tactile graphics to represent the visual information on the page. Depending on the subject and grade level, a textbook can contain hundreds of visual images. The tactile graphics for just one visual image in a textbook can take from a few minutes to a few hours to produce. 

Tactile graphics produced at the Tactile Graphics Center are stored and available on request nationwide.

For more information about this new service visit http://www.sdstatelibrary.com/news/brailleproduction.htm

Upcoming Events

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

• Study sessions prepare special education teachers for Praxis II

• Crosswalk training for CTE teachers scheduled
   

Study sessions prepare special education teachers for Praxis II

The South Dakota Department of Education is sponsoring free study sessions to help special education teachers prepare for the Praxis II content exam. These study sessions will be conducted by faculty members from Black Hills State University, Dakota State University, Northern State University, and the University of South Dakota. Each study session will be held on a Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sessions are being offered now through April 2006.

Participants will:
• receive detailed study guides;
• view Web sites containing help materials and practice tests;
• review test-taking skills; and
• become familiar with the format of the Praxis exam.

Some study sessions already have been held. The remaining sessions (listed below) will focus on the Praxis Middle School Content Test.

• Jan. 28 - Aberdeen - Location to be determined
• Feb. 4 - Watertown - Location to be determined
• Feb. 4 - Winner - Location to be determined
• Feb. 11 - Sioux Falls - Location to be determined
• April 1 - Sioux Falls - Location to be determined

A limited number of seats are available at each study session. Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis. To register, visit http://everyteacher.tie.net/content/praxis.htm.

Crosswalk training for CTE teachers scheduled

By April of 2006, all of the state’s career and technical education (CTE) teachers are required to have their crosswalks completed and syllabi on file with the department’s Office of Career and Technical Education.
An upcoming workshop will train teachers in the crosswalk process and give them time to develop or update their course syllabi. The workshop is slated for Jan. 31 in Mitchell.

The goal of the statewide Crosswalk Project is to provide a standards-based curriculum for CTE programs that includes technical standards, academic standards and employability standards. By going through the crosswalks process, CTE teachers will:

• develop instructional strategies that meet the learning needs of all students;
• identify areas within the curriculum where academic, technical and transferable work skills need to be enhanced and integrated;
• meet Perkins accountability;
• assist schools in meeting state-adopted academic standards;
• help schools meet the requirements of No Child Left Behind.

Teachers can register for the workshop online at www.southdakotapd.com or by downloading the form and faxing or mailing it to the South Dakota Department of Education, Office of Career and Technical Education, 700 Governor’s Drive, Pierre, SD 57501. Fax: (605) 773-4236.