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New model asks districts
to aim high
South Dakota is implementing a new system
of accreditation for school districts. It will take effect in
the 2007-08 school year. The new model for accreditation goes
beyond simple regulatory checks and requires districts to
regularly set goals, review their performance and plan for the
future.
There are two major differences
between what districts currently are doing to become accredited
and the new plan.
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First, a district improvement
plan is required.
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Second, each district must
participate in a peer review every five years.
These two new components are expected to
ensure that South Dakota schools are on a constant path to
improvement.
The new accreditation model features three
major components, which are highlighted below.
Part One: All districts seeking
accreditation from the South Dakota Department of Education are
required to submit yearly information to the department’s Office
of Data Collection through the Personnel Record Form (PRF) and
Student Information Management System (SIMS). This essential
piece of accreditation will not change. All districts must
continue to submit this information in order to be accredited.
Part Two: All districts seeking
accreditation must institute a continuous school improvement
plan as a part of accreditation. Some districts may already have
some form of school improvement plan in place through an outside
agency. If that outside agency is approved by the Department of
Education, it may not be necessary for the district to develop a
separate improvement plan. Requests for approval of an outside
agency by the Department of Education can be directed to
Jennifer Neuhauser at 605.773.4774 or
jennifer.neuhauser@state.sd.us.
Part Three: All districts seeking
accreditation will be required to host an onsite visit every
five years. The onsite visit will be conducted by a peer-review
team that will work with the district to review its goals, plans
and progress. Each peer-review team also will include
representation from the state education department.
Late this summer, the department will send
an accreditation workbook to each school district. The detailed
workbook will guide districts through the accreditation process
step by step.
For more information about the new
accreditation model, please visit
www.doe.sd.gov/oatq and click
on “District Accreditation” under the “Administrators” section.
This Web site is a work-in-progress, so we encourage you to
check back often for updates.
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