South Dakota Content Standards

South Dakota Content Standards serve as expectations for what students should know and be able to do by the end of each grade. The review, revision, development, and feedback process involves stakeholders throughout the state of South Dakota and is an ongoing and critical component to ensure South Dakota students in every classroom receive current and relevant learning experiences.

The goal is that all students will graduate college, career, and life ready.

What South Dakota Content Standards Do What South Dakota Content Standards Do Not
• Do focus on deep thinking, conceptual understanding, and real-world problem solving skills
• Do set expectations for students to be College, Career, and Life ready
• Do increase rigor and grade-level expectations
 • Do Not dictate how teachers should teach
• Do Not mandate a specific curriculum
• Do Not limit advanced work beyond the standards
The South Dakota Content Standards were neither written nor funded by the Federal Government. South Dakota educators and content specialists participated in the review, revision, development, and feedback process.

Standards Revision Process
Standards Adoption Timeline

English, math, health and certain CTE standards are up for review this summer.
Standards Review Updates

Career & Technical Education
Standards for Career & Technical Education
     - Adopted May 16, 2016

English Language Arts Standards

Standards for English Language Arts
     - Adopted 2010

Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects

Visit the English Language Arts web page for more information

Fine Arts Standards

Fine Arts Standards
     - Adopted: May 2015

        - Appendix A — Optional Pre-Kindergarten Fine Arts Standards
        - Appendix B — Fine Arts Standards arranged by Grade Level

Comparison Document
Previous South Dakota Fine Arts Standards

Health Education Standards
South Dakota Education Health Standards
     - Adopted 2011

K-12 Education Technology Standards

K-12 Educational Technology Standards
     - Adopted: May 2015

        - Appendix A – English Language Art Alignment Table

Comparison Document
Previous South Dakota K-12 Education Technology Standards
     - Adopted 2007

Mathematics Standards
Standards for Mathematics
     - Adopted 2010
Smarter Balanced Assessment Information
Visit the Mathematics web page for more information

Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings and Standards
Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings and Standards
    - Adobpted: 2012

Physical Education Standards
(New) South Dakota Physical Education Standards and Grade-level Outcomes for K-12 Physical Education
     - Adopted 2014
(Past) South Dakota Physical Education Standards for K-12 Physical Education
     - Adopted 2000


Science Standards

Science Standards
     - Adopted: May 2015

        - Appendix A – Disciplinary Core Idea Progressions
        - Appendix B – Science and Engineering Practice and
            Crosscutting Concepts Frequency Tables
        - Appendix C – Engineering Design Standards

Science Standards Transition Plan
Recommended Science Course Pathways | Course Pathway Explanation
Science Standards Fact Sheet
Comparison Document

Previous South Dakota Science Standards
     - Adopted 2005
Previous Science Extended Content Standards

Social Studies Standards
South Dakota Social Studies Standards – August 24, 2015
     - Adopted: August 2015

Disaggregation Standards and OSEU
Comparison Document
Civics Questions for Naturalization Test (aligned to Proposed Standards
Previous South Dakota Social Studies Standards
     - Adopted 2006
Previous Social Studies Extended Content Standards

World Languages Standards
South Dakota World Languages Standards
     - Adopted 2011

Other Standards
CTE Standards
English Language Proficiency Standards, Pre-K-5; 6-12
Personal Finance Standards
School Library Standards
Oceti Sakowin Essential Understanding and Standards


Related Links
Smarter Balanced Assessment Information