Office of Assessment
& Technology Systems

South Dakota End of Course Exams

The South Dakota Department of Education provides two End of Course opportunities for students.

The Credit Before Grade Nine Exam provides an opportunity for students to take a course for high school credit prior to entering high school (below 9th grade). If the student passes the course, credit is entered on the high school transcript. The student must pass this exam with a minimum proficiency of 80% and can retake the test one time.

The Course Equivalency Exam provides an opportunity for students to ‘test-out’ of a high school level class without actually taking the class. The student must pass this exam with a minimum proficiency of 85% and no retakes are allowed.

Administrative Rules for End of Course Exams

• 24:43:01:01(8).  “Course equivalency exam”
• 24:43:01:01(51). “Unit of Credit”
• 24:43:08.  Waiver of Certain Administrative Rules and Department of Education Policies
• 24:43:11:09.  “Course equivalency exam”

Process for End of Course Exams

• End of Course Procedures Flowchart

State Created Exam Blueprint

• Algebra 1               
• Algebra 2               
• Biology                   
• Chemistry               
• Geography             
• Geometry               
• Government           
• Physical Science  
• Physics
• US History
• World History

Blueprint Alignment Form

These forms should be used to show how district-created End of Course Exams align to the state-created exam blueprints. If there is not a blueprint, such as Spanish, the generic blueprint should be used.

• Algebra 1
• Algebra 2
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Geography
• Geometry
• Government
• Physical Science
• Physics
• United States History
• World History
• Generic Blueprint

South Dakota End of Course Procedure Manual
Full Document

End of Course Forms
Blueprint Example
Test Security Agreement
Test Security Plan Checklist
Guidelines for Calculator Use
Science/Geometry Formulas and Periodic Table
Test Irregularity Form
Reporting Form Information
Administrative Waiver Request Form

Other

• Complaint of Improper Test Administration
• List of School Districts with Administrative Rule Waivers
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Quick Reference Guides for End of Course Exams
• Using Achievement Series for End of Course Exams
• Quick Guide to District-Created End of Course Exams

Contacts

End of Course Waivers:  

Steve Fiechtner

Assistant Director

Office of Accreditation and Teacher Quality

700 Governors Drive

Pierre, SD  57501

605-773-4774

steve.fiechtner@state.sd.us

http://doe.sd.gov/oatq/accreditation/adminrulewaivers.asp

End of Course Exam:      

Laura Snow

Assessment Specialist

Office of Assessment and Technology Systems

700 Governors Drive

Pierre, SD  57501

605-773-8193
laura.snow@state.sd.us