Register now for the 2025 Civics & History Summit

South Dakota’s new Social Studies standards are to be implemented in all South Dakota classrooms by fall 2025.

To help educators adjust to the new standards, the Department of Education (DOE) has provided various supports and resources, including South Dakota Studies Weekly, the Civics & History Summit, and the South Dakota History Road Trip.

“Our goal is to provide high-quality professional development opportunities for teachers to prepare them to teach to the new standards,” said Secretary of Education Joe Graves. “I think this summer’s civics and history summit will be one more engaging, illuminating experience for South Dakota educators.”

Due to the positive response to the events in 2023 and 2024, along with the availability of funding, the summit will be offered for a third year this summer. Educators who are responsible for teaching the Social Studies standards are eligible to attend. The two-day summit will be held June 24-25 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.

This year, the Civics & History Summit will feature breakouts that will provide in-depth information about South Dakota Studies Weekly, a Social Studies curriculum for grades K-5, provided free of charge to schools throughout the state by the DOE.

“There will be lesson pacing, lesson plans, and resources for each week,” said Mary Stadick Smith, a DOE spokesperson. “We will provide a deep dive into the curriculum, as well as weekly walkthroughs to assist in planning your weeks.”

Those who teach grades 6-12 will be able to choose from a variety of sessions, ranging from using AI to craft lessons and rubrics to strategies for infusing Lakota language and culture into Social Studies classes.

JoAnne Bohl, the 2024 South Dakota History Teacher of the Year, attended the summit in 2023 and 2024, and she intends to attend in 2025. “Participants will experience a professional development opportunity that is relevant to all teachers regardless of grade level,” said Bohl. “From the keynote speakers, breakout sessions, exhibits, vendor showcases and time with fellow educators, all those in attendance will be able to come away from the experience with ideas and resources that can be used in their classrooms.”

There will also be an exciting addition to this year’s summit: an Educator Escape Room designed around the new Social Studies standards. The activity is intended to build participants’ familiarity with the standards while also providing teachers a chance to engage in camaraderie and lighthearted competition with one another. Attendees will have the opportunity to sign up for limited time slots to participate in the escape room experience at check-in.

Registration to the event is free and includes access to all sessions, meals, and a $300 stipend for those who attend the entire conference. Attendees will be eligible to earn 15 continuing education contact hours or one graduate credit at a reduced rate. Learn more and register online.