In April, the Department of Education announced the formation of a new Social Studies Content Standards Commission. The group’s first meeting was held May 4. The commission will meet throughout the summer.

The new commission is comprised of 15 members, plus a facilitator who will help manage the preparation of the draft standards that will be put forth for public review. The purpose of the first meeting is to allow the commission to get organized and begin a review of the draft Social Studies Content Standards.

“The goal of this review process is to receive input from a diverse range of experts, including parents, educators, and Native Americans to create the best standards for our schools and ensure that our kids learn true, honest, and balanced social studies,” said Secretary of Education Tiffany Sanderson. “This thorough and transparent process allows for us to develop strong and comprehensive standards for our schools to continue to improve upon the education provided to our children.”

The Social Studies Content Standards Commission is comprised of the following members:

• Mark Miller, Chair of Commission
• Joe Circle Bear
• Janet Finzen
• Stephanie Hiatt
• Benjamin F. Jones, Ph.D. – State Historian
• Dylan Kessler
• Aaron Levisay
• Christopher Motz
• Shaun Nielsen
• Fred Osborn – State Director of Indian Education
• Jon Schaff
• Mary Shuey
• State Representative Tamara St. John
• Samantha Walder
• State Senator John Wiik

An overview of the South Dakota Content Standards process may be reviewed here.