Office of the Secretary

Philosophy/Belief Statement

• The South Dakota Board of Education is a strong advocate for the best interest of children and youth in our state's schools and post-secondary technical institutes.
• It is the unique role of the South Dakota Board of Education to listen to, understand, and translate the concerns of a variety of stakeholders into successful education policies.
• The South Dakota Board of Education has a responsibility to ensure every child an opportunity to learn from certified school staff and teachers in our state's Local Education Agencies (LEA's) and post-secondary technical institutes.
• The South Dakota Board of Education has a responsibility to set standards and expectations for the quality of education through the establishment of graduation requirements, accreditation of local schools, certification of professionals, and approval of programs offered by post-secondary institutes and teacher education programs.

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Vision Statement

The South Dakota State Board of Education will be a leader education advocacy for each student in the state by:

• Guaranteeing that students have an opportunity to learn the skills necessary for their future, either for jobs or further education.
• Advocating professional development and teacher education programs.
• Maintaining a strong partnership between the Department of Education and the State Board of Education.
• Setting dynamic standards, both mandatory and advisory.
• Opening pathways between all groups concerned with education.
• Proactively marketing a statewide plan for the continuous improvement of K-12 and post-secondary technical education.

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The South Dakota Board of Education's Leadership Role is:

• To ensure access to a system of public education for South Dakota students.
• To communicate a vision for improving public education for all South Dakota students.
• To enhance the professional development of educators through credentials, teacher training programs, and a code of ethics.
• To develop partnerships with all players/stakeholders in the community, such as the Board of Regents, legislators, local school boards, and Parent Teacher Association.
• To identify the elements affecting the quality of education and evaluate overall student achievement trends.
• To provide leadership for education through policy and advocacy to LEA's.
• To establish education standards and rules within legislative directives.
• To approve programs and agreements designed to operate a system of post-secondary technical institutes.