• Secretary's Column
• Risky business?
  Report identifies student behavior trends
• NCLB reauthorization stalls … for now
• Qwest grants promote technology in the classroom
• Language Arts:
  Board of Education approves alternate content standards
  Duncan, Kirkegaard to lead state Board of Education
• Blunt Elementary identified as Blue Ribbon School
• Planning for flu season?
• Hot Topic
• Upcoming Events

Secretary's Column

The common denominator

All of us have seen successful schools. They come in all shapes and sizes. They are in large districts and small districts. They have high income students and students at risk. They may be white or diverse; urban or rural. Some are public, and others are private. However, no matter what the demographics, location or history, there seems to be one constant in all high achieving schools – strong leadership.

There have been mounds of research studies about successful schools, and they all point to the importance of high expectations, quality teachers and supportive families. Usually there is a consistent focus on academic improvement and a high level of discussion about specific academic targets. When you look “under the hood,” it is clear that there is a key ingredient behind all of those factors – a dedicated leader with a passion to see students succeed.

How do you know if a leader is of high quality? There are probably a number of ways to make that determination, but here are three key questions to ask. If you are a teacher, ask yourself these questions about your leader. If you are a principal or a superintendent, ask these questions of yourself.

• Is the administrator the “lead learner”?

  • Does the principal consistently read educational books and journals that will sharpen his leadership skills or improve the instructional environment in the school? Does the administrator share her learning with staff members? Has the administrator led a book study with staff members to grow the knowledge in the building or district?
     

• Is the administrator visible?

  • Does the administrator visit classrooms regularly? As a follow-up, does the administrator provide feedback to classroom teachers about the effectiveness of their teaching? Can the administrator “spar” with teachers about the best practices that can be used in their classrooms?
     

• Is the administrator a change agent?

  • Does the administrator seek new and better ways to meet the changing needs of the students? Does the administrator have a “rock in the shoe” approach to improved learning – an incessant desire to improve the educational program for all students in the school?

As a state agency, we are constantly trying to determine what we can influence that can make the most difference in schools. Clearly, our discussions have recently turned to developing the strength of our school leaders as we attempt to make South Dakota schools as effective as possible. It is my hope that our superintendents and school boards are also recognizing the importance of high quality leaders in our school districts.

Risky business?
Report identifies student behavior trends

A report, released Nov. 19, outlines high school students’ choices when it comes to behaviors considered risky to their health and well-being. The South Dakota Youth Risk Behavior Survey Trend Report presents data from Youth Risk Behavior Surveys administered from 1991 to 2005. Students in grades 9-12 at randomly selected public, private and Bureau of Indian Education schools participate in the survey, which is administered every other year.

“South Dakota is one of only three states that have been able to secure weighted data for every year the Youth Risk Behavior Survey has been conducted,” said April Hodges, who is with the Department of Education’s Coordinated School Health program. “Even though we are seeing improvement in a number of areas, the total percentage of students participating in some of these risky behaviors is still too high.”

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey is a questionnaire that assesses the six priority health-risk behaviors that result in the greatest amount of morbidity, mortality and social problems among youth. These six priority health-risk behaviors include: injuries; tobacco use; alcohol and other drug use; sexual behaviors that result in HIV infection, other sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancy; poor dietary behaviors; and physical inactivity.

Some of the major behavioral changes identified in the trend report include the following:

• Decrease in the percentage of students who, during the past 30 days, rode in a vehicle with a driver who had been drinking alcohol (50 percent in 1991 to 32 percent in 2005)
• Decrease in the percentage of students who, during the past 30 days, drove a vehicle when they had been drinking alcohol (28 percent in 1991 to 17 percent in 2005)
• Decrease in the percentage of students who reported binge drinking within the past month (41 percent in 1991 to 34 percent in 2005)
• Decrease in the percentage of students who considered attempting suicide (30 percent in 1991 to 19 percent in 2005)
• Decrease in the percentage of students who have ever tried cigarettes (69 percent in 1991 to 61 percent in 2005), used smokeless tobacco (23 percent in 1995 to 13 percent in 2005), or used methamphetamine (10 percent in 1999 to 7 percent in 2005)
• Increase in the percentage of students who ever used marijuana (21 percent in 1991 to 37 percent in 2005)
• Decrease in the percentage who have ever had sexual intercourse (48 percent in 1991 to 44 percent in 2005)
• Decrease in the percentage who have been taught about AIDS/HIV in school (88 percent in 1991 to 86 percent in 2005)
• Increase in the percentage of students who are at risk for becoming overweight (11 percent in 1999 to 14 percent in 2005)

The South Dakota Youth Risk Behavior Survey is funded by the Departments of Education, Health, and Human Services. To view a complete copy of the Trend Report, click here.

Qwest grants promote technology in the classroom

Teachers across South Dakota can compete for awards of $2,500 each to support innovative programs that promote the use of technology in the classroom. The awards are part of Qwest Communication’s Teachers and Technology grant program. The company will award a total of $25,000.

Grants will be awarded to pre-K through 12th grade teachers so they may use technology in the classroom to engage students, enhance student performance and prepare them for life in a technologically advanced world.

“South Dakota students deserve to learn about the latest technologies and how these affect their lives, and Qwest is proud to again offer teachers the opportunity to prepare students for a high-tech world,” said Larry Toll, Qwest president for South Dakota.

“We are excited to partner with Qwest on this project,” said Secretary of Education Rick Melmer. “We know that classroom teachers often have innovative ideas on how to use technology to achieve their teaching goals. These grants will allow a select number of teachers to put their ideas into action.”

Grants will be awarded to teachers through a competitive process that will be administered by the South Dakota Department of Education. Application forms and instructions will be available at www.doe.sd.gov beginning Dec. 3. The deadline to apply is Jan. 11, 2008.

Funds may be used to purchase supplies or to support professional development needs; however, funds may not be used to pay salaries or stipends.

This is the second year Qwest has offered the Teachers and Technology grant program. Last year, winning teachers received grants for programs ranging from interactive white boards to pod cast projects.

For more information, contact Dmitri Melius at the Department of Education at (605) 773-2593. dmitri.melius@state.sd.us

Language Arts:
Board of Education approves alternate content standards

At its November meeting, the South Dakota Board of Education approved new Language Arts Alternate Content Standards and Achievement Descriptors. A group of 24 general and special education teachers met in Pierre this summer to write these standards.

Because the general Language Arts Standards were revised during the 2006-07 school year, an update of the Reading Alternate Content Standards was necessary. In addition, alternate content standards for Writing and Speaking, and Viewing and Listening were written for the first time.

The new Language Arts Alternate Content Standards will be implemented in the 2008-09 school year.

Duncan, Kirkegaard to lead state Board of Education

Kelly Duncan, Dakota Dunes, was re-elected as president of the South Dakota Board of Education during the board’s November meeting. Don Kirkegaard, Britton, was elected vice-president.

Dr. Duncan is an assistant professor, counseling and psychology, at the University of South Dakota. She is also the executive director of the South Dakota Counseling Association. A lifelong educator, her career includes teaching at the high school level and serving as a school counselor. Dr. Duncan was appointed to the Board of Education in 1996.

Kirkegaard has worked in K-12 education for 27 years and is currently superintendent of the Britton-Hecla School District. He is a member of the Northeast Area Superintendents Association and the School Administrators of South Dakota. Kirkegaard also has been involved with the North Central Association at the local, state and national level. Kirkegaard was appointed to the Board of Education in 2006.

Members of the South Dakota Board of Education are appointed by the governor. The board’s role is to advocate for a quality education in the state’s K-12 schools and technical institutes.

Board members Roger Porch, Philip, and Clint Waara, Pierre, also announced that they would be leaving the board at the end of the year.

Blunt Elementary identified as Blue Ribbon School

Blunt Elementary recently was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a 2007 No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School. Principal Kathryn Hirchert and special education teacher Stacey Widboom traveled to Washington, D.C., Nov. 12-13, for a two-day award ceremony.

Blunt Elementary was one of 287 schools in the United States recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as 2007 Blue Ribbon Schools. In announcing the schools, U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings said: “These schools are proving that when we raise the bar our children will rise to the challenge. It takes a lot of hard work by teachers and students to become a Blue Ribbon school, and it’s a privilege to celebrate their great efforts.”

The USDOE selects Blue Ribbon Schools based on one of two criteria: 1) Schools with at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds that dramatically improve student performance to high levels on state tests; and 2) Schools whose students, regardless of background, achieve in the top 10 percent of their state on state tests or in the case of private schools in the top 10 percent of the nation on nationally-normed tests.

Blunt Elementary is part of the Agar-Blunt-Onida School District.

Planning for flu season?

Cases of influenza typically peak between November and March. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools shares critical information for pandemic flu planning in its latest newsletter, available online at www.thechallenge.org. 

Also, when thinking about your district’s strategy for reigning in the flu this year, don’t forget that the State of South Dakota is offering flu vaccinations free of charge to all South Dakota children 6 months through 18 years of age. School districts interested in participating in the program should contact the Department of Health’s Office of Community Health Services at 1-800-738-2301.

Rapid City teacher receives $25,000

Sherry Crofut, an 8th-grade teacher at North Middle School in Rapid City, got a $25,000 surprise recently. Gov. Mike Rounds and Education Secretary Rick Melmer presented Crofut with a Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award during a school assembly on Oct. 30. As part of the award, Crofut receives $25,000 in cash.

“It is a pleasure to recognize the work of an outstanding role model, Sherry Crofut,” said Gov. Mike Rounds. “She does not let any barrier stop her from helping her students achieve success. She is professional in every aspect and is respected by her peers, students and parents.”

Crofut has been teaching at North Middle School for nine years. Currently, she teaches 8th-grade English and history. She has a bachelor’s degree from Black Hills State University and a master’s degree from the University of South Dakota. She recently completed the process to become a National Board Certified Teacher.

Crofut’s colleagues describe her as dedicated, energetic and positive. They say she has high expectations and always has her students’ best interests at heart.

The Milken National Educator Awards were created by Milken Family Foundation Chairman and Co-Founder Lowell Milken to celebrate, elevate and activate the highest caliber professionals in our nation’s schools.

Candidates for the awards are selected on the basis of the following criteria:

• Exceptional educational talent as evidenced by effective instructional practices and student learning results in the classroom and school;
• Exemplary educational accomplishments beyond the classroom that provide models of excellence for the profession;
• Strong long-range potential for professional and policy leadership; and
• Engaging and inspiring presence that motivates and impacts students, colleagues and the community.

Upcoming Events

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

• Workshop brings math, CTE together
• Health Education Standards and Assessment training: The next step
• Aligning Health and Reading with A HEAP of Books
• South Dakota Board of Education to meet in January

Health Education Standards and Assessment training:
The next step
Coordinated School Health is seeking teachers responsible for health education in their districts to participate in the pilot training for South Dakota Health Education Standards and Assessment II – Searchable Database CD/Web-based Assessment System. The training will be held Jan. 14-15, 2008, at the Performance Data Center, 200 West Pleasant Drive, in Pierre.

Participants must have taken South Dakota Health Education Standards and Assessment I and/or Health Methods for the Elementary Teacher offered through Black Hills State University. This initial training provided participants with an introduction to classroom instruction and assessment techniques designed to increase health literacy in our schools.

The 15-hour training, a follow-up to Standards and Assessment I, is designed to give teachers at all levels (elementary, middle and high school) specific knowledge, skills, competencies and techniques in using assessment as motivation for learning as well as assessment of learning. This will be done through:

• Receiving hands-on experience using the HEAP (Health Education Assessment Project) Searchable Database CD and the Web-based Assessment System to create, interpret, and administer tests
• Review of the South Dakota Health Education Standards
• Continued reinforcement of Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy
• Indepth follow-up to “Teaching With The End In Mind”
• Practice writing assessment items
• Using the Formative Assessment process with these combined strategies
• Reinforcing techniques of designing/implementing standards-based lessons
• Use of the HEAP assessment framework as a guide for health education instruction

Participants will be eligible to receive one graduate credit through Black Hills State University ($40) or one Department of Education Teacher Renewal Credit at no charge. Participants may also take the course for no credit. Registration deadline is Dec. 31. Click here to register online.

To learn how one South Dakota school is using the Web-based Assessment System in the classroom, click here.

For more information about the Standards and Assessment II training, contact Karen Keyser, Coordinated School Health, at the Department of Education. (605) 773-6808. karen.keyser@state.sd.us. 

Aligning Health and Reading with A HEAP of Books
You know how important health education is for students, but finding time to teach it is a challenge. A training titled Aligning Health and Reading with a HEAP of Books offers practical solutions for elementary and secondary teachers, school counselors, nurses, and others for getting it all done!

The training is designed to help teachers make connections between the health knowledge and skills their students should achieve in order to become health literate and the books they integrate into their daily lessons on reading and writing.

Aligning Health and Reading with a HEAP of Books will be held Jan. 10-11, 2008, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Ramkota in Aberdeen. Participants will be eligible to receive one graduate credit through Black Hills State University ($40) or one Department of Education Teacher Renewal Credit at no charge. Participants may also take the course for no credit.

The deadline for registering is Dec. 31. Click here to register online.

For more information, contact Karen Keyser, Coordinated School Health, at the Department of Education. (605) 773-6808. karen.keyser@state.sd.us

South Dakota Board of Education to meet in January
The South Dakota Board of Education is scheduled to meet Jan. 15-16, 2008, in Pierre (Kneip Building, Conference Room 3). When available, an agenda will be posted at http://doe.sd.gov/secretary/board/schedule.asp.