K-12 classrooms encouraged to make America 250 part of the curriculum

America 250 invites educators and students to be a part of the country’s 250th Anniversary throughout the 2025-26 school year.

The South Dakota Studies Weekly A-Z professional learning platform course is open for enrollment! This online course contains grade-level (K-5) specific modules. Each grade module contains a three-part series of training videos designed to provide teachers and administrators with the training and tools necessary for successful implementation of the South Dakota Studies Weekly Curriculum. This course contains a weekly walkthrough to assist in pacing for teachers. Those who attended summer trainings for Studies Weekly will benefit from the course as it dives deeper at the grade level.

The Helpline Center provides a wide variety of resources to support educators. This webinar will walk participants through those resources that include mental health, suicide prevention, basic need, and grief/loss. This webinar is geared for any educators who support the well-being of students. This resource is not eligible to meet the youth suicide awareness and prevention training requirement for educators; however, participants may earn one continuing education contact hour for attendance by completing a short quiz. The webinar will be recorded, and access will be shared with registered participants.

This course aims to provide training to South Dakota educators, administrators, and other related professionals interested in learning more about the basic principles of behavior as they apply to autism. The focus of this course is to introduce the behavioral principles often used in educational settings that are evidence-based practices for autism. Participants will be required to complete nine modules and submit proof to the instructor. This course is available year-round for 15 Continuing Education Contact Hours. It will be available for graduate credit during the spring semester.

The DOE is hosting various webinars for educators who are responsible for providing assessments to identify those who are English Learner (EL) students.

Preparing for SD ELP (ACCESS) Assessments: This one-hour training will cover what districts need to do to prepare for this school year’s SD ELP and Alternate SD ELP (ACCESS Assessments), which will be administered Jan. 27-Feb. 27, 2026.
Two webinars will be available:
Nov. 13, 2025, 10:30 a.m.
Nov. 13, 2025, 3 p.m.

SD ELP: Paper and Alternate ACCESS: This one-hour training will help districts prepare for this school year’s SD ELP (ACCESS): Paper and Alternate Assessments, which will be administered Jan. 27-Feb. 27, 2026.
Two webinars will be available:
Dec. 16, 2025, 10:30 a.m.
Dec. 16, 2025, 3 p.m.

SD ELP: Kindergarten and Online ACCESS: This one-hour training is for districts to prepare for this school year’s SD ELP (ACCESS): Kindergarten and Online Assessments, which will be administered Jan. 27-Feb. 27, 2026.
Two webinars will be available:
Dec. 17, 2025, 10:30 a.m.
Dec. 17, 2025, 3 p.m.

Links to all the zoom courses can be found in the Canva course once you register. If you have questions, contact Shari.Lord@state.sd.us.