Educators who are interested in using data in education will learn how to engage in comprehensive data analysis for creating improvement plans for their students. The purpose of this course is to introduce educators to the data inquiry process. Participants will learn to collect, analyze, communicate, and use multiple measures of data to improve teaching and learning.

This course includes readings, webinars, and in-person workshops, and culminates in presentations and reflections from participants.

Those who complete the course may receive graduate credit or continuing education contact hours. Those who wish to receive credit must register and pay through the University of South Dakota. The last day to register for credit is June 6. For more information, and to register, visit sded.sd.gov.

K-12 educators who teach English Language Arts, and those who teach in areas with strong literacy connections, are invited to attend the Department of Education’s literacy conference, Elevate. Educate. Empower. Moving Literacy Forward Across South Dakota.

The conference, which will be held June 2-3 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center, will feature keynote sessions and presentations from renowned literacy experts. Attendees will learn about the latest research, tools, and best practices to support literacy development in students of all ages.

Those who attend the conference will have the opportunity to register for graduate credit or continuing education contact hours. Registration is open; for more information, email Info@ElevateLiteracySD.com.

This summer, educators in all roles (paras, teachers, specialists, administrators) will have opportunities to study best practices for teaching reading and writing. Steeped in the principles of the Science of Reading, these in-person foundational courses will cover topics such as the five essential literacy skills, strategies for teaching students with reading challenges, explicit instruction, and more.

K-3 Foundational Reading
Madison, May 27-29
Sioux Falls, June 9-11
Chamberlain, July 28-30

4-8 Foundational Reading
Madison, June 16-17
Sioux Falls, June 12-13
Chamberlain, July 31-Aug. 1

Foundational Reading Train the Trainer
This five-day training, divided into two parts, aims to offer comprehensive training that aligns with current DOE literacy initiatives focused on foundational reading and the science of reading research. Participants should have a strong foundation in foundational reading – this course is ideal for literacy coaches, independent education consultants, teacher leaders, literacy teams, and administrators who provide foundational reading professional development to teaching staff.
Sioux Falls, June 18-20; 25-26
Brookings, July 7-9; 21-22

Explicit Instruction
This two-day, in-person workshop emphasizes active learning through sample lessons, discussions, and a focus on explicit instruction techniques, as outlined in Anita Archer and Charles Hughes’ book. The instructors for this course have been trained by Anita Archer herself.
Sioux Falls, July 21-22
Spearfish, July 24-25

Registration for all foundational reading courses is now open. Learn more, and register, via the DOE’s PD platform at sded.sd.gov.