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SD Department of Education
Sept. 2021  
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https://sddoe.blogspot.com/2021/08/celebrating-attendance-awareness-month.html
 
 
 
Tiffany Sanderson SECRETARY’S COLUMN:
Three schools add JAG-SD programs

Lyman High School, Oelrichs High School, and Roosevelt High School in Sioux Falls have joined the #JAGFam! Jobs for America’s Graduates-South Dakota (JAG-SD) is a powerful program that supports students in persisting to graduation.

JAG-SD has a proven track record of improving graduation rates, academic performance, attendance, job placement, and pursuit of further education and training.

What makes JAG a family? Beth Schneider, our state director of JAG-SD, recently spoke with Lori Walsh on South Dakota Public Broadcasting, and she described the JAG classroom as the kitchen table. It’s a place where students who face unique hurdles can come together, openly share their struggles, and get strong support in overcoming those challenges.

And that support doesn’t stop at graduation. Did you know that JAG specialists stay in contact with JAG students for 12 months after their senior year? That vital connection helps ensure students follow through on postsecondary plans and employment obligations.

A total of nine South Dakota schools are now implementing JAG. Andes Central Middle and High School, Bennett County High School, Todd County High School, and Wagner Middle and High School also have JAG-SD programs.

Wagner Community School and Andes Central piloted the program in 2009-10. Alexander (Zane) Zephier, a Wagner graduate of the program, now serves on the newly formed JAG-SD Advisory Board.

I hope more schools consider adding JAG programs. Over the years, JAG-SD students have attended national student leadership competitions, earned national scholarships, and every year, students complete impactful projects in their local communities.

Last year, Todd County JAG students painted American flags on wood pallets and delivered them to area veterans. Andes Central students delivered Valentine’s goodie bags to residents at the Lake Andes Health Care Center and helped Feeding South Dakota with food distribution. These projects only scratch the surface of JAG student accomplishments.

When you empower students and connect them to their community and leadership opportunities, the possibilities are endless.

I encourage you to visit our JAG-SD webpage [https://doe.sd.gov/jag-sd/] to learn more and reach out to Beth Schneider [beth.schneider@state.sd.us] with any questions you may have.

 
 
 
HOT TOPICS
Board of Education Standards to hold public hearing on proposed content standards Sept. 20

The South Dakota Board of Education Standards will hold the first of four public hearings on proposed content standards in the following subject areas at its Sept. 20 meeting in Aberdeen.

  • Career and technical education (Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources; Arts, Audio/Video Technology and Communications; Finance; Health Science; Human Services; Manufacturing)
  • Fine arts
  • Social studies
Proposed standards are now posted for public comment. Find more information on our Content Standards: Under Review webpage [https://doe.sd.gov/contentstandards/review.aspx].


JAG-SD expands to three more schools in 2021-22

The South Dakota Department of Education is pleased to announce that Lyman High School, Oelrichs High School, and Roosevelt High School (Sioux Falls) have launched Jobs for America’s Graduates-South Dakota (JAG-SD) programs this school year, bringing the total number of schools to nine.

"I'm thrilled to see JAG-SD expanding to more schools," said Secretary of Education Tiffany Sanderson. “This program has a proven track record of improving graduation rates, academic performance, attendance, job placement, and pursuit of further education and training. This is a terrific opportunity for students in Lyman, Oelrichs, and Sioux Falls.”

JAG is a state-based national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving graduation rates and academic achievement for students. The program is implemented at the school level through the work of teachers called JAG specialists, who work with students to develop leadership and employability skills.

“I’m excited for the young people in these new JAG schools to become part of the JAG family,” said Beth Schneider, state director of JAG-SD. “One of the great things about this program is that JAG specialists continue to check in with JAG students for a full year after graduation. Our JAG-SD programs continue to outpace the JAG National standard. As of the end of school year 2020-21, 87% of our JAG-SD students maintained full-time employment 12 months after high school.”

Andes Central Middle and High School, Bennett County High School, Todd County High School, and Wagner Middle and High School also have JAG-SD programs.

South Dakota Public Broadcasting recently covered JAG-SD [https://www.sdpb.org/blogs/news-and-information/high-school-program-teaches-students-tools-for-the-future/].

Learn more about this program on the Department of Education’s JAG-SD webpage [https://doe.sd.gov/JAG-sd/].


Civics and History Initiative pilot grants awarded; second round of applications open

The first round of recipients of Civics and History Initiative pilot grants have been announced. Funded projects highlight the sacrifices of WWII veterans, implement the We the People program, and expand the study of Native American culture using the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings and Standards.

Below are the schools awarded round one funding:

School/district Grant amount Project
Chamberlain
High School
$3,228.80 Students will learn about South Dakota fallen heroes from WWII by researching their service and writing and recording eulogies at their gravesites in the Black Hills National Cemetery. Students will also participate in the National History Day competition.
Dell Rapids
High School
$11,439.75 Purchase materials for and implement We the People program. Professional development for K-12 teachers.
Madison Central Middle/High School $18,059.54 Purchase materials for and implement We the People program. Professional development for K-12 teachers.
McIntosh
Middle School
$9,645 Students will participate in National History Day competition. Provide teachers professional development. Field trips and speakers related to the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings and Standards.
Mitchell School District (elementary and middle schools) $15,525 Purchase one-year subscription to Newsela for grades 1-8.
Vermillion
High School
$17,160 Enhance curriculum in high school history, literature, and Native American culture courses. Develop new high school course: Great Plains/SD History. Field trips to local sites. Guest speakers.

South Dakota public schools can now apply for the second round of the pilot grant program. A total of $125,000 in grant funding is available for schools to pilot programs that focus on strengthening civics/government and history education.

Grant applications should align with one or more of the priorities of the South Dakota Civics and History Initiative, which are to help students understand our country, state, and story; equip them with the knowledge and experience necessary to engage as informed citizens; and prepare them to participate in civil discourse on important issues.

The South Dakota Civics and History Initiative is made possible through $900,000 in one-time state funding to support and equip K-12 educators, provide resources for voluntary use in local schools, and provide real-life experiences for students.

Grant applications are due Sept. 15. Grantees will be notified in early October. Find more information on the Civics and History Initiative webpage [https://doe.sd.gov/civics/].




September is Suicide Prevention Month

All month, mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention awareness. Everyone has a role to play in preventing suicide. For ideas on how to get involved, visit the South Dakota Suicide Prevention website [https://sdsuicideprevention.org/about-suicide/suicide-prevention-month/].



 
 
 
OSEU survey now open: Encourage teachers to participate

The South Dakota Department of Education invites all South Dakota K-12 educators to complete the state’s first-ever survey aimed at measuring educators’ perceptions of Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings and Standards (OSEUs) [https://doe.sd.gov/contentstandards/documents/18-OSEUs.pdf] implementation.

The survey link was emailed to principals on Sept. 7 and is intended to gauge current awareness, knowledge, practice, and advocacy for the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings. Survey data will inform targeted professional development, support, and guidance aimed at increasing statewide capacity to implement the OSEUs.

Principals, please complete the survey and forward it along to your curriculum directors, instructional coaches, teachers, and paraprofessionals.

In addition to the OSEUs, the survey asks respondents about culturally responsive curriculum and instruction and professional development.

This survey was developed in partnership with the South Dakota Office of Indian Education and the Regional Educational Laboratory Central (REL Central).

Survey deadline: Sept. 28, noon CT

 
 
 
 
Best Practices Webinar Series scheduled throughout September

Throughout the month of September, DOE will host a Best Practices Webinar Series [https://doe.sd.gov/announcements/bestpractices.html] that may help to spur ideas as schools consider how best to support students’ academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs. Sessions will be recorded and links will be shared. Topics range from competency-based instruction to options for providing tele-mental health services at school.

 
 
 
 
Submit new course code requests by Oct. 1

Districts may submit a request for a new course code to the Department of Education if a local course does not align to any of the state course descriptions. The request must include the following information: course title, course description, subject/content category, and standards addressed in the course. Approved course codes will be available for use for the following school year.

Send new course request applications to Jennifer Fowler [Jennifer.Fowler@state.sd.us], 605-280-0990. Please use this form to request a new Common Course Code [https://doe.sd.gov/contentstandards/documents/CCN-requestform.docx].

The Common Course Codes are reviewed and updated by the department on an annual basis using the following timeline:

  • Oct. 1: Deadline for districts to submit a request for a new course code to the Department of Education if a course does not align to any of the state course descriptions. If approved, the course code will be available for use for the following school year.
  • Nov. 1: The department will review the district request and communicate the final decision back to the district.
  • Dec. 1: If a new course code is identified, the new code will be added to Infinite Campus, and communication will be sent to districts.
  • August of the following year: If a new course code is identified, the new code will be added to the PRF system when the PRF system reopens for the following school year.
Questions?
  • Technical assistance with Infinite Campus: Randy Hanson, 605-773-4727
  • Core Content course alignment and application: Jennifer Fowler, 605-280-0990
  • Career & Technical Education course alignment: Amy Miller, 605-280-7240
  • Personnel Record Form (PRF): Carla Leingang, 605-773-4638
  • Dual Credit: Amber Rost, 605-220-6612
Visit the Department of Education’s Common Course Numbering System webpage [https://doe.sd.gov/contentstandards/commoncourse.aspx] for the request application and more details.

 
 
 
 
DOE offering monthly check-ins for district Title III/EL coordinators

On the first Thursday of the month throughout the 2021-22 school year, the Department of Education will be offering monthly check-ins for district Title III/EL coordinators. The department will share updates, answer questions, and facilitate networking among EL leaders across the state. Register today! [https://state-sd.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAtcu-hqTIsHdGnzwWNjZ8SU0hMcXm5a5d8]

 
 
 
 
Reminder of school immunization requirements

The South Dakota Department of Health has asked the Department of Education to remind school leaders of the immunization requirements for school entry outlined in SDCL 13-28-7.1 [https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/2042038]. More information on this topic is available on DOH’s website [https://doh.sd.gov/family/childhood/immunization/school.aspx]. Questions can be directed to Carol Chalcraft [Carol.Chalcraft@state.sd.us] at DOH.

 
 
 
 
Check out introductory webinars on SD Framework for Teaching and SLOs

New to the South Dakota Framework for Teaching (Danielson) and the Student Learning Objective (SLO) process? Don’t miss introductory webinars Sept. 16 and 20. Administrators, consider inviting 1-3 teacher leaders to attend with you. Register here [https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2JD9T5Z]. If dates and times don’t work with your schedule, recordings will be made available. Questions? Email Gwen Taylor [gwen.taylor@state.sd.us] or call 605-295-2280.

 
 
 
 
Study shows positive impacts of participation in career and technical education

A recent report from the Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Central [https://marzanoresearch.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5e8f100cda8a9fb9b1b43215b&id=6b0aab37cc&e=2cdc549bbc] shows students who were career and technical education (CTE) concentrators were more likely than non-CTE concentrators to graduate from high school on time, enroll in postsecondary education, and attain a postsecondary award or degree within two years.

The study results cover 112,764 Nebraska and South Dakota students whose expected high school graduation year was between school years 2012-13 and 2016-17. Postsecondary outcomes were assessed two and five years after students’ expected high school graduation year.

“There are a lot of positive results for local CTE programs to point to from this study, including CTE concentrators getting a faster start toward postsecondary education compared to their peers,” said the study’s lead author, Marc Brodersen from Marzano Research. “There is a clear value in CTE programs, and state and local education agency leaders can consider the study results when deciding whether to fund, strengthen, or expand CTE programming.”

CTE is broadly defined as programs that offer high school courses aligned to high-demand career fields. CTE concentrators are students who earn multiple credits aligned to a specific career field, such as finance, information technology, or health science. Participation in CTE programs has previously been associated with decreased dropout rates as well as increased high school attendance, college enrollment, and employment rates.

The Nebraska Department of Education and the South Dakota Department of Education partnered with REL Central to explore the short-term and longer-term educational impacts among students in Nebraska and South Dakota who become CTE concentrators. Across Nebraska and South Dakota, about 50 percent of all students become CTE concentrators.

“This study proves what we’ve long suspected: career and technical education has positive, lasting impacts for our students and communities,” said South Dakota Secretary of Education Tiffany Sanderson. “CTE engages students and sets them up for success in high-demand careers. That’s a win for them individually and a win for South Dakota’s employers.”

Key findings from the study include:

  • CTE concentrators were seven percentage points more likely than non-CTE concentrators to graduate high school on time.
  • CTE concentrators were 10 percentage points more likely to enroll in postsecondary education and two percentage points more likely to attain an award within two years.
  • CTE concentrators were eight percentage points more likely to enroll in postsecondary education within five years and four percentage points more likely to earn up to an associate degree. They were one percentage point less likely to earn a bachelor’s degree or higher within five years.
The Impact of Career and Technical Education on Postsecondary Outcomes in Nebraska and South Dakota is available on the Institute of Education Sciences website [https://marzanoresearch.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5e8f100cda8a9fb9b1b43215b&id=78cd11ce7f&e=2cdc549bbc].

REL Central, operated by Marzano Research, is one of 10 Regional Educational Laboratories funded by the Institute of Education Sciences at the U.S. Department of Education. RELs work in partnership to conduct applied research and training with a mission of supporting a more evidence-based education system. REL Central serves Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

 
 
 
 
Plan to crunch into local produce during Farm to School Month in October

In celebration of Farm to School Month in October, states throughout the Mountain Plains Region (CO, MT, MO, KS, NE, ND, SD, WY) are competing to see which state can get the most “crunches” into a local apple or other local produce, per capita.

South Dakota State University Extension and the South Dakota Department of Education’s Division of Child and Adult Nutrition Services are partnering to bring the event to South Dakota Oct. 4-8.

Schools are invited to join them in crunching into local produce. Join students, teachers, farmers, parents, community members, and local food enthusiasts in celebrating the wonderful produce South Dakota has to offer.

Here’s how to host a crunch event: Schools, preschools, daycare organizations, offices, families, and farms are just some great examples of groups to host a crunch event. Anyone can participate. Upon registration, hosts will receive examples of activities to make the crunch engaging and educational for pre-K through high school participants. Hosts can create their event to suit their group, ranging from simply biting into local produce to hosting an assembly with guest speakers. Each crunch event is responsible for finding and supplying local crunchable produce. However, staff are available to help connect interested area participants and growers.

Why participate?

“Serving local foods as part of farm to school programs has been shown to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among students” says Anna Barr, SDSU Extension Farm to School Nutrition Field Specialist and Registered Dietitian. “Getting youth excited about fruits and vegetables sets them up for a healthy future.”

But the benefits don’t end there, Barr says: “Purchasing local foods stimulates the local economy and supports area growers, and it’s health-promoting for all ages to pause and appreciate a piece of local produce.”

All crunchable local produce can be used for this event, including apples, beets, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, carrots, cucumbers, peppers, pole beans (aka green beans or snap beans), peas (snap or snow), etc.

To register a crunch event, follow this link: www.surveymonkey.com/r/79XXHNM. You’ll receive a toolkit along with other helpful resources upon registration.

Follow SDSU Extension Food & Families [https://www.facebook.com/SDSUExtensionFoodandFamilies] and the South Dakota Department of Education on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/sddoe] for more updates and Crunch Off photos.

For more information, contact Anna Barr at anna.barr@sdstate.edu.

 
 
 
 
DOE Contact Sheet for School Counselors updated

The DOE Contact Sheet for School Counselors [https://doe.sd.gov/cte/documents/CounselorContacts-0821.pdf] has been updated for the fall semester of school year 2021-22. This contact list includes relevant points of contact at the South Dakota Department of Education and other state agencies, categorized by topic. The sheet is also posted on the department’s School Counseling webpage [https://doe.sd.gov/cte/counselors.aspx].

 
 
 
 
Upcoming Events

Except where otherwise noted, details on the following events are available at GoSignMeUp [http://southdakota.gosignmeup.com/].

Office of Assessment Fall Webinar Series
Sept. 7: Interim Assessments and Formative Assessments
Sept. 13: Using Interims with your Students
Sept. 20: SmART Writing Systems/Content Explorer
Sept. 27: Reporting System

Planning with the WIDA ELD Standards Framework
Sept. 8 and 15, online, 3-4:30 p.m. CT
Nov. 8 and 15, online, 3-4:30 p.m. CT

Fall DOE/Infinite Campus User Groups
https://www.infinitecampus.com/client-services/south-dakota/south-dakota-user-group
Sept. 15, Watertown
Sept. 16, Pierre
Sept. 17, Rapid City

IEP Advance – Do you have the evidence?
Sept. 23, Sioux Falls

IEP Transition
Sept. 15, Rapid City
Sept. 16, Mobridge
Sept. 23, online

Northern Plains Law Conference on Serving Students with Disabilities
Sept. 16-17
[https://web.cvent.com/event/572d4bf5-1f4c-414f-9aef-6e0f9e355b6a/summary]

Board of Education Standards
Sept. 20, Aberdeen
[https://boardsandcommissions.sd.gov/Meetings.aspx?BoardID=32]

IEP Basic – HERO in IEP Process
Sept. 20, Rapid City
Sept. 24, Sioux Falls
Sept. 28, online

IEP Early Childhood Workshop – Building the Bridge
Sept. 21, Rapid City

Community Response to Child Abuse Conference
Sept. 29-30
[https://www.sdcpcm.com/conference/]

Struggling Reader Series (online)
Oct. 4: Why Phonemic Proficiency is Necessary for All Readers
Nov. 1: Teaching Spelling Using a Structured Literacy Approach
Dec. 13: Recent Advances in Understanding Word-Level Reading Problems
Jan. 10, 2022: Assessment and Intervention in Light of Reading Difficulties
Feb. 7, 2022: Understanding Dyslexia
March 7, 2022: What Does Good Instruction Look Like for Students with Dyslexia
April 11, 2022: Structured Literacy Instruction for English Learners

The Use of Data for Student Success (for school counselors and administrators)
Oct. 7-8, Sioux Falls
Feb. 7-8, 2022, Rapid City

Dyslexia Assessment in SD
Oct. 8, Chamberlain
Oct. 29, Rapid City
Nov. 5, Sioux Falls

Teach South Dakota Conference
Featuring Teacher of the Year Banquet
Oct. 12-13, Mitchell
[https://doe.sd.gov/teachsd/]

Nurturing Speaking Growth for English learners
Oct. 20 and 27, online
[https://doe.sd.gov/pressroom/educationonline/2021/09/documents/Nurturing-Speaking.pdf]

 
   
 
   

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