• Secretary's Column
• Firewall issues?
  Districts control local Web site access
• Apply for 2008-09 TCAP funds now
• New writing assessment set for February
• Tell your teachers:
  State Library is one-stop shop for research
• Special Education explores modified assessments, more
• Apply now for 2008-09 Team Nutrition mini-grants
• Hot Topic
• Upcoming Events

Secretary's Column

Filling the pipeline

Education is full of challenges, and it’s easy to get caught up with the obstacles rather than the opportunities. One of our greatest challenges in education is to find the best quality people to fill our positions each year. There is always an emphasis on teaching shortages, but we have similar concerns about administrative openings in districts all across the state.

Much is said about money and the need to pay people more to do the work that needs to be done. Even though money will always be a concern in all employment areas, it is also true that money is often times not the most important factor when it comes to attracting and retaining people in employment areas. Other factors are also important, and I’d like to address some of those key areas as we discuss recruiting and keeping our staff members.

These are some key indicators to consider as we explore the need for quality educators in our state.

1. Promote our profession – As educators, we should talk about the positive aspects of our employment field. Too often, we don’t encourage others to follow in our footsteps. Why? I think we as educators should be the lead recruiters in the encouragement of others to enter the field of education. Too often we encourage others towards jobs that provide more financial rewards rather than focusing on the benefits of education.

2. Identify talent – There are young people that would be excellent teachers. We should be planting that seed with them now in the hopes that they will pursue education in the future. Also, there are teachers that have the skills to be excellent administrators. We need strong leadership in the future and should begin talking with these teachers about a future in administration.

3. Target resources – I mentioned earlier that we tend to focus on salaries as our guide for recruitment efforts. What about other ways to reward educators? With the TCAP program, we can now target resources to reward teachers for extra effort. We can focus our resources on benefit programs like insurance or enhanced leave programs that could benefit all educators in your system and improve retention and recruitment.

I remain optimistic that we can find high quality individuals to work in our school districts. We will need to make it a priority and begin to explore new and different approaches to improve our recruiting efforts.

This summer, the Bureau of Information and Telecommunications instituted a large-scale firewall replacement for South Dakota’s public schools. Content filters, which determine what Web sites are allowed and what sites are blocked in an individual district, were a part of that project.

Some schools have noticed that the content filters are restrictive. In fact, the content filters were purposely set on the restrictive side – with the intention that each school district could relax the content filter to fit its individual needs. This restrictive setting was in response to concerns voiced by districts about “questionable” Web sites that were available through the previous content filter.

So, what does this mean for you? It means that your district has full control for determining which sites your schools can access. The state does not control the content filter. You can make changes to your own content filter -- enabling you to block or permit access to any Internet Web sites.

If your school district needs assistance in making changes to its content filter, please contact the SDN Security Operations Center at 1-877-SDN-24X7 (1-877-736-2497) or support@sdn24x7.com. 

Please share this information with your district’s technology coordinator.

New writing assessment set for February

As announced previously, South Dakota will have a new statewide writing assessment beginning this school year. The testing window is Feb. 25-29, 2008. Along with the new assessment, the Department of Education will host follow-up workshops designed to help K-12 educators use the test results to target specific student needs.

All public school students in grades 5, 7 and 10 are required to take the writing assessment. The 50-minute test will feature two prompts, from which students will choose. The assessment is scored by trained evaluators, using a four-point, six-trait analytic writing rubric.

Approximately eight weeks after completion of the testing window, schools can expect to receive their scores via an electronic format. Results also will be placed on a secure Web site.

Tell your teachers:
State Library is one-stop shop for research

When it comes to research projects for middle and high school students, the South Dakota State Library offers one-stop shopping. Two new resources are designed to assist students with their research projects by helping them to identify a focus, find pertinent resources, and develop a timeline for completing the project. Please encourage your teachers and librarians to check out these new online tools!

Finding a research focus
The online database SIRS Researcher has a new and improved feature called “Curriculum Pathfinders.” SIRS Researcher is available to all K-12 schools and public and academic libraries in South Dakota. The resource is appropriate for students in grades 6-12.

SIRS new “Curriculum Pathfinders” is a great place to start when researching topics in math, science, social studies, language arts, fine arts, and health. The online database links students to articles and Web sites that align to national standards. Articles within the database also cover subjects related to the building of 21st century skills.

The site provides pertinent research ideas (topics include global warming, forensics, immigration, obesity and suicide prevention) and links to resources related to those topics.

To access, go to the State Library’s homepage at www.sdstatelibrary.com and click on “For Library and School Users.” Scroll down and click on “SIRS Researcher” and then “Pathfinders.”

For more information about SIRS Curriculum Pathfinders, contact Julie Erickson, South Dakota State Library, at (605) 295-1994. julie.erickson@state.sd.us

Managing the research process
An online “calculator” – also available via the State Library’s Web site – helps students break down the research process into manageable steps.

The Research Project Calculator breaks the process into five logical steps: Question, Gather, Conclude, Communicate, and Evaluate. Students choose the format of their research product (essay, PowerPoint, video) and enter the due date for their assignment. The calculator estimates the dates by which each part of the process should be completed.

Students get more than a timeline. Each of the five steps includes further information about what the student needs to accomplish in each step of the process.

The Research Project Calculator is aimed at high school students. No subscription is required. The calculator was developed by and is funded jointly by MINITEX and MnLINK (Minnesota) and is open-source software.

Click here to access the Research Project Calculator.

For more information, contact Jasmine Rockwell, South Dakota State Library, at (605) 773-5066. jasmine.rockwell@state.sd.us

Apply now for 2008-09 Team Nutrition mini-grants

South Dakota’s Team Nutrition program is now taking applications for mini-grants for the 2008-09 school year. A program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Team Nutrition seeks to promote the nutritional health of the nation’s school children.

Grants for gardening
Mini-grants of up to $500 will be awarded for supplies for gardening projects (eg., seeds, potting soil, starter pots, shovels, hoes). Funds may not be used to purchase large equipment or to purchase topsoil, irrigation supplies, or fencing. The gardening mini-grants will run February-September 2008. Organizations that participate in USDA child nutrition programs may apply for these grants.

Promoting fruits and vegetables
Mini-grants of up to $500 will be awarded for events that focus on the importance of eating fruits and vegetables. Funds may be used to purchase fruits and vegetables and other event-related expenses such as incentives. Events might include plays, concerts, or a fruit and vegetable week. Grants will run February-September 2008. Organizations that participate in USDA child nutrition programs may apply for these grants.

Getting a dietitian on board
Mini-grants of $2,000-$5,000 will be awarded to schools to hire a registered dietitian. Individual school districts can apply for up to $2,000. Districts may apply together as a group and receive up to $5,000. A registered dietitian may be hired to assist with menu planning, training for school food service staff, helping schools evaluate their school environment, implementing policies that will encourage students to make healthier choices, and similar activities. Schools will receive points on their application if they apply for the HealthierUS School Challenge. These grants will run February 2008- September 2009.

To apply, go to www.doe.sd.gov/oess/cans/nutrition and click on “2008 S.D. Mini-grant Applications.”

The search for teachers:
Issues and strategies

Attend any meeting of school superintendents, and you’re bound to hear talk about teacher recruitment and retention. The words “teacher shortage” may even creep into the conversation.

“We’re very aware of the concern out there regarding teacher recruitment, retention and training,” said Education Secretary Rick Melmer. “We’ve heard the concerns voiced by superintendents and principals, and right now, we’re focused on a handful of targeted strategies to address some of the issues.”

While a number of forces can impact teacher recruitment and retention, three clearly rise to the top. One: Certain geographic locations continue to struggle to attract and retain teachers. Two: It’s harder to find qualified candidates for specific content areas. A third force that could become more of a factor in the years ahead is the retirement of the “Baby Boom” generation.

Location, location, location
It’s no secret that small, rural districts often have more difficulty attracting teachers than their more “metropolitan” counterparts. Districts in small, rural communities struggle to offer young college graduates the amenities, or social life, that many of them desire.

“Certainly salary can be an issue here, but there are just some very rural, very isolated locations that will not be the most attractive choices for young people just getting out of college,” said Melody Schopp, director of accreditation and teacher quality for the South Dakota Department of Education.

Districts have responded to these challenges with a number of creative strategies. Lemmon, for example, has taken the “homegrown” approach in at least one instance, by paying for a local resident to get her teaching degree. Todd County has taken advantage of the Teach for America program. And a handful of districts have employed retired military through the Troops to Teachers program.

Other districts use resources such as the E-Learning Center at Northern State University, and more recently, the South Dakota Virtual High School. “The E-Learning Center has really helped to fill a niche for small, geographically isolated districts,” Schopp said. “As the Virtual High School continues to expand its offerings, we expect it to become a popular option for students in a variety of settings – rural and metro areas alike.”

Certain content areas in demand
When it comes to teaching content-areas, one thing seems clear: There is not a shortage of elementary teachers. For example, of the 402 teacher education majors who graduated from Board of Regents’ institutions in 2006 with one major, 45 percent were in elementary education. The others were spread among a variety of areas ranging from agricultural education to health and physical education.

A recent survey of school leaders appears to support the need for more teachers at the high school level. Of the 73 school districts that participated in the survey, a total of 377 applications were received for 44 elementary teaching positions available at these districts. That averages out to 8.57 applications per position. Compare that to high school Spanish, for example. Of the 73 districts responding to the survey, seven had positions available. The number of applicants statewide for these seven positions was 15, which averages out to 2.14 applicants per position. (NOTE: The survey did not account for one individual making multiple applications.)

“When you look strictly at instructional staff, we need more applicants at the high school level across the board,” Schopp said. “The one exception might be social studies teachers. Because it is such a broad certification, we may not have as many issues there.”

School leaders continue to point to math, science, world language, and band and music as shortage areas. Special education teachers at all levels continue to be in high demand. Some school leaders also mention the need for qualified language arts teachers, who cover a range of courses including English composition and literature.

What happens when the Boomers leave?
Currently, 38 percent of South Dakota’s teachers and administrators are over the age of 50. Sixty-two percent are under the age of 50. The important question is this: When the Baby Boomers – those born between 1946 and 1964 – begin to leave the profession, will there be enough new people entering the field to replace them?

A look at the number of teacher education majors graduating from the state’s public universities tells a piece of the story. In fiscal year 2000, 617 students graduated with teacher education majors. By fiscal year 2006, the number was 450. That’s a 27 percent drop.

“It’s tough to predict what will happen, but we certainly need to pay attention to this trend,” Melmer said. “Fewer people coming into the field now will mean challenges down the road. Right now, at the state level, we’re focused on a handful of strategies to address some of these issues.”

According to Melmer, one of these options – the Teacher Compensation Assistance Program – specifically addresses teacher salaries. Other options are aimed at finding innovative ways to get good people in the classroom.

Recruitment and retention strategies
Alternative certification remains a viable option for those making the transition from another career to teaching. Individuals who do not have a teaching degree may be hired in a district with a bachelor’s degree in a specific content area as they work toward certification.

Programs such as Teach For America and Troops to Teachers also have filled a void in certain areas. Teach For America is a national corps of recent college graduates with a variety of academic degrees who commit to two years of teaching in public schools that serve low-income students. This school year, 49 corps members are working in South Dakota schools.

Troops to Teachers aims to recruit individuals leaving the military into the teaching profession. The program offers financial support for participants to take courses and stipends for teaching in high need areas.

Governor Mike Rounds initiated the Dakota Corps Scholarship to encourage young people to remain in South Dakota upon graduating from college and to boost the number of professionals serving in certain critical need occupations. Currently, teaching K-12 music, special education or foreign language, and teaching high school math or science are considered critical need occupations in South Dakota.

The Governor also created an event designed to support first- and second-year teachers. Held each summer, the Governor’s New Teacher Academy brings new teachers together for three days of professional development and networking with colleagues. By providing these new teachers with support early on in their careers, the hope is that they will continue to stay in the profession.

In an effort to help districts enhance local teacher salaries, Gov. Rounds proposed the Teacher Compensation Assistance Program during the 2007 legislative session. The program became part of the final spending package for schools, providing $4 million in state money to give to districts that came up with a plan for enhancing teacher salaries based on district instructional goals, market compensation or a combination of both.

“We believe that TCAP offers a measurable way of beginning to address the issue of teacher compensation,” Melmer said. “It should give districts one more resource to use, whether they use the dollars as a signing bonus to attract a much-needed teacher or as additional compensation to a group of teachers who participate in meeting a specific district goal.”

The state Department of Education also recently applied for and received a Teacher Incentive Fund grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Through the five-year, $20 million grant, South Dakota will implement a performance-based compensation system for principals and teachers at 30 pilot schools.

Upcoming Events

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

• Systems Change Conference targets school leaders
• State board to meet in Pierre
• LifeSkills Curriculum Training set for November

Systems Change Conference targets school leaders
The 2007 Systems Change Conference will take place Nov. 14-16 at Cedar Shore Resort in Chamberlain. It is designed to be a powerful and practical professional development experience for education leaders. This year’s agenda features keynote speakers Neil Howe, best-selling author and an authority on generations in America; Dr. Rick Melmer, secretary of the South Dakota Department of Education; and Gary Marx, president of the Center for Public Outreach.

The event is hosted by the Midwest Alliance for Professional Learning and Leadership and a host of partners, including the Department of Education. For more information, visit www.systemschange.midwestmaple.org. 

State board to meet in Pierre
The South Dakota Board of Education will hold its regularly scheduled meeting in Pierre on Nov. 19 (Kneip Building, Conference Room 3). Public hearings are slated on two topics: 1) language arts alternate content standards and achievement descriptors and 2) elimination of the April 1 timeline for applications for new or expanded programs at the state's four technical institutes. Other agenda items include a report on the trend data from South Dakota's Youth Risk Behavior Survey and a discussion related to facility planning and fees for the technical institutes. For a complete agenda, visit http://doe.sd.gov/secretary/board.  

LifeSkills Curriculum Training set for November
The South Dakota Departments of Education and Health, Department of Human Services and Regional Prevention Resource Centers will host a LifeSkills Curriculum Training Nov. 28-29 at the Holiday Inn City Centre in Sioux Falls.

Lifeskills Curriculum Training is a proven, highly effective substance abuse prevention program. The training is recommended for teachers, counselors, prevention advocates, safe and drug free school coordinators, and school nurses. It is designed to:

• provide students with the necessary skills to resist social pressures to smoke, drink, and use drugs;
• help students develop greater self-esteem, self-mastery, and self-confidence;
• enable students to effectively cope with social anxiety;
• increase students’ knowledge of the immediate consequences of substance abuse.

Approval has been granted for one hour of graduate or undergraduate credit or for one Department of Education certificate renewal credit. The course also may be taken for no credit.

For more information about the course objectives or to register, go to http://doe.sd.gov/oess/schoolhealth/training/index.asp.  Or contact the Coordinated School Health staff at (605) 773-3261.