Virtual Offerings
Synchronous Courses:
BEAM-SD Advanced ECHO Series
The Behavioral Health, Education, Access, and Management for South Dakota (BEAM-SD) is providing a free, virtual series designed to strengthen skills in identifying and managing pediatric behavioral health concerns across the 0-21 age range. This series is open to professionals from multiple disciplines and emphasizes interprofessional education and collaboration across healthcare, behavioral health, and education systems. The series offers deeper dives into key topics such as child development, autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and suicidal ideation. Each intensive will be three months in length, and each session is scheduled from Noon – 1 p.m. (CT). In addition to attending live sessions, participants can now earn continuing education by watching recorded sessions and completing the session surveys. For questions, contact Nikki Eining.
• April 8, 2026: Autism Spectrum Disorder (Part 1)
• May 13, 2026: Autism Spectrum Disorder (Part 2)
• June 10, 2026: Autism Spectrum Disorder (Part 3)
• July 8, 2026: ADHD (Part 1)
• Aug. 12, 2026: ADHD (Part 2)
• Sept. 9, 2026: ADHD (Part 3)
• Oct. 14: Suicidal Ideation & Substance Use (Part 1)
• Nov. 4, 2026: Suicidal Ideation & Substance Use (Part 2)
• Dec. 9, 2026: Suicidal Ideation & Substance Use (Part 3)
Autism Spectrum Education and Resources Training Course (ASERT)
This autism specific training focuses on assessment to intervention program development in the education setting. Participants will receive and apply evidence-based practices with planned guidance and support from their assigned mentor between and within the training dates. Participants will be expected to develop their own action plan for their focus student, as well as for themselves, as it pertains to autism leadership within their work environment. Registration is open May 4-July 19, 2026, at ASERT2026.eventbrite.com. Contact Heidi.Aderhold@usd.edu with questions.
Asynchronous Courses:
Literacy Blueprint Courses
The department and the Board of Regents partnered to design courses grounded in the Science of Reading for South Dakota educators to develop skills needed for the classroom – irrespective of grade level or content area. Each course is asynchronous and all mirror each other to create an ideal school-wide professional development opportunity for educators. Courses are open now for enrollment for completion by Sept. 30, 2026. The courses are free; educators can receive 45 CECHs or 3 graduate credits through any South Dakota regental university (participants are responsible for the cost of credits). Explore the courses more and register now on the DOE's professional development platform. Questions? Reach out to the DOE Literacy Team.
ExCITE! Library Methods Course: Information Literacy in Action
This year's course is structured around the South Dakota School Library Standard of Information Literacy, focusing on the processes of questioning, researching, evaluating, and creating new knowledge. The course blends self-paced learning, live discussions, gamification, and practical application, making it both interactive and impactful. Contact Scottie Bruch with questions.
Library Learn-Its Video Series Library Learn-Its is a self-paced professional development series designed especially for school and public librarians. Over the course of 25 short video tutorials (each about 15 minutes), you will explore practical topics that apply to any library setting. Each video includes a brief reflection or activity to help you connect the content to your own work. Contact Scottie Bruch with questions.
Textual Literacy in Action: The Engaged Reader
This course is structured around the SDSL Standard of Textual Literacy, focusing on reading engagement for academic and personal growth. The course blends self-paced learning, live discussions, gamification, and practical application, making it both interactive and impactful. Contact Scottie Bruch with questions.
School Library 101
This online course focuses on the unique aspects of school librarianship and what it takes to create an impactful school library. Topics include Implementing Policy and Procedure, Managing Behaviors Like a Pro, Practicing the Power of Pause, Advocating for the School Library, Collaborating and Connecting Locally and Globally, Transforming the Library Space, Facilitating Innovative Programming, Understanding Current Trends, and Leading From the Library. This is a professional development opportunity specifically for anyone who works in a school library. Contact Scottie Bruch with questions.
Teaching Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities Training Course
Teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals are invited to learn WHY and HOW to provide standards-based instruction to students with significant cognitive disabilities in this two-part webinar series!
Webinar 1: WHY to provide standards-based instruction
Ready to transform your teaching practice with compelling evidence that will change how you view your students' potential? This dynamic webinar will walk participants through the legal imperatives, civil rights foundations, and data-driven reasons why "All Really Means All" when it comes to providing rigorous, grade-level academic content to students with significant cognitive disabilities.
Webinar 2: HOW to provide standards-based instruction
Get your hands on the concrete tools and systematic strategies that actually work for teaching grade-level content to students with significant cognitive disabilities! This webinar will walk you through real classroom examples, from elementary through secondary levels, showing you how to embed standards-based instruction into your students' daily routines while meeting their IEP goals. Participants will leave with practical frameworks, tools, and proven methods for creating educational programs that drive real academic progress for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
Participants will leave with practical frameworks, tools, and proven methods for creating educational programs that drive real academic progress. Two continuing education contact hours are available.
Building the Foundation for Indicator 7 Course
Participants will explore the history of BDI3 adoption in South Dakota, learn to confidently navigate the Riverside Insights platform, and understand how program labels ensure the assessment is counted toward Indicator 7 data. Questions? Contact Kelly Gilbert.
Early Childhood Special Education IEP Process Course
Explore the complete Individualized Education Program (IEP) process for children ages 3–5 in this comprehensive training designed for early childhood special education providers. Contact Kelly Gilbert with questions.