About the Department
Mission Statement: The South Dakota Department of Education is dedicated to enhancing learning through leadership and service.
Division of the Secretary
This division is responsible for education leadership at the state level. The Division of the Secretary directs the department's strategic planning, communications efforts and legislative action. The Professional Practices Commissions fall under this area as well.
Division of Assessment and Accountability
This division oversees assessment, accountability, accreditation and certification. Several programs related to teacher quality and teacher recognition are also handled by this division.
Division of Career and Technical Education
This division is charged with providing supports for students’ preparations for postsecondary education and the workforce. Services are connected to approved Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs, work-based learning, school counseling, SDMyLife, the four SD Technical Institutes and the federal Perkins grant.
Division of Educational Services & Support
The division includes most of the federal programs, including Title programs, Child and Adult Nutrition programs, school health and after-school programs. It also encompasses Special Education Programs and the state's Birth to Three program. The state Head Start liaison is housed within this division.
Division of Finance and Management
This division oversees funding provided to schools and other recipients, including state aid, federal grants and contracts. The division is responsible for a host of data collection activities ranging from student and teacher data to school financial data.
Division of Learning and Instruction
This division oversees academic content standards and instruction, and provides services and supports to districts and schools to support learning and achievement for all students.
Division of the State Library
The State Library is responsible for developing public and school library services, providing collections to expand local resources, serving special needs populations (including textbooks for visually impaired students), and providing library services to state government.
This division is responsible for education leadership at the state level. The Division of the Secretary directs the department's strategic planning, communications efforts and legislative action. The Professional Practices Commissions fall under this area as well.
Division of Assessment and Accountability
This division oversees assessment, accountability, accreditation and certification. Several programs related to teacher quality and teacher recognition are also handled by this division.
Division of Career and Technical Education
This division is charged with providing supports for students’ preparations for postsecondary education and the workforce. Services are connected to approved Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs, work-based learning, school counseling, SDMyLife, the four SD Technical Institutes and the federal Perkins grant.
Division of Educational Services & Support
The division includes most of the federal programs, including Title programs, Child and Adult Nutrition programs, school health and after-school programs. It also encompasses Special Education Programs and the state's Birth to Three program. The state Head Start liaison is housed within this division.
Division of Finance and Management
This division oversees funding provided to schools and other recipients, including state aid, federal grants and contracts. The division is responsible for a host of data collection activities ranging from student and teacher data to school financial data.
Division of Learning and Instruction
This division oversees academic content standards and instruction, and provides services and supports to districts and schools to support learning and achievement for all students.
Division of the State Library
The State Library is responsible for developing public and school library services, providing collections to expand local resources, serving special needs populations (including textbooks for visually impaired students), and providing library services to state government.