• Secretary's Column
• Assessment product provides real-time feedback
• Watch for information on required HQ plan
• New district accreditation: Begin to schedule onsite visits now  
• Department funds online AP courses
• Health and PE course standards available online
• Grants fund career and technical education programs
• Educators wanted for Fulbright-Hays program abroad
• Hot Topic
• Upcoming Events

Secretary's Column:

Tips from Rudy

Tips from Rudy

I have been reading a book by Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor of New York, that is entitled “Leadership.” It has been an interesting book as he shares his insights on a variety of leadership issues. It is especially compelling when he gives readers some perspective on leading during the World Trade Center tragedy. Giuliani mentions a few key points that might be helpful to educators around the state as we begin another school year. Below are a few “Rudy-isms.”

SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF

Giuliani frequently mentions the importance of taking care of the little things that often times lead to big things. In his world, it may have meant graffiti or window washers at the intersections. In education, it may mean tardies, incomplete assignments or small discipline issues. Little things lead to big things.

EVERYONE IS ACCOUNTABLE – ALL OF THE TIME

With No Child Left Behind, educators realize that accountability is here to stay. Even though only grades 3–8 and 11 are tested in our Dakota STEP, all educators have embraced the importance of student achievement. Our test results remain strong due to the fact that all of us feel a sense of accountability for student achievement.

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH GREAT PEOPLE

Giuliani understands the importance of hiring good people. Districts will be stronger if the administration is strong and the administration understands the importance of hiring the best teachers in their classrooms. There is no replacement for talent – hire the best you can get.

REFLECT – THEN DECIDE

Giuliani believes in gathering as much information as you can before you make a decision. If you have the luxury of some time before a decision is made, he suggests that you should surround yourself with people that you trust and listen to their honest feedback. The best decisions are well thought out and discussed with others.

WEDDINGS DISCRETIONARY – FUNERALS MANDATORY

We are in a people business. When people are down, we need to surround them with love and care. Giuliani understands the importance of being there when co-workers need support.  If you are an educator and you know of someone who could benefit from your presence, be there for them. It will pay long-term dividends.

Assessment product provides real-time feedback

Formative assessments allow teachers to gauge the learning going on in their classrooms. The Achievement Series, a powerful Web-based assessment tool, provides those results immediately. And, the results are based on South Dakota’s content standards.

“The Department of Education is excited to be able to offer this tool to South Dakota schools,” said Stephanie Weideman, director of curriculum, technology and assessment for the Department of Education. “Not only will the Achievement Series provide progress monitoring throughout the year, it will give teachers a tool that may help them prepare their students for the Dakota STEP.”

Teachers use the Achievement Series to develop and administer standards-based tests using paper or the Web. They also can take advantage of preformatted tests. The results are captured in real time, providing instant results to impact future instruction.

Some of the key features of the Achievement Series include:

• standards-based student performance data to assist in instructional planning;
• detailed analysis and reporting of data by subgroups, as required by No Child Left Behind; and

• student achievement data through real-time results displayed in user-friendly charts and graphs.

The Achievement Series covers South Dakota’s content standards in grades 1-12 in reading, math and science. Test questions were created largely by South Dakota teachers familiar with content standards in core areas. Classroom teachers can access individual questions to create their own tests or use pre-loaded tests to assess students.

“One of the department’s goals has been to provide a tool to help teachers better prepare for the Dakota STEP,” said Wade Pogany, director of curriculum and instruction. “This vehicle will help teachers diagnose which standards the students are performing well on and which require more work.”

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Superintendents should watch for an important mailing regarding highly qualified, or HQ, teachers. It outlines the new requirement for all public school districts to submit a Plan for Highly Qualified Teachers.

Under No Child Left Behind, 100 percent of teachers are required to be highly qualified. South Dakota’s recently approved state plan for reaching this goal includes a component for local education agencies to submit a district-level Plan for Highly Qualified Teachers. This plan is due to the state Department of Education by Nov. 15, 2006.

The mailing, which went out Sept. 8, includes guidance for local education agencies on this issue, as well as a template for developing a plan.

Questions regarding highly qualified teachers can be directed to Melody Schopp, Office of Accreditation and Teacher Quality, at (605) 773-5232.

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New district accreditation:

Begin to schedule onsite visits now

South Dakota’s new district accreditation plan is a three-step process, which includes: 1) submission of yearly regulatory data through the Personnel Record Form; 2) creation and maintenance of a district-wide school improvement model; and 3) hosting an onsite visit.   

Districts already complete step one of this process. Steps two and three will go into effect fall of 2007. However, the Department of Education strongly encourages districts to schedule their onsite visits as soon as possible.

Districts within each Education Service Agency area will be asked to schedule their onsite visit during a specific semester. Onsite visits should be scheduled through Jennifer Neuhauser, Office of Accreditation and Teacher Quality, at (605) 773-4774. Jennifer.neuhauser@state.sd.us

Schedule of onsite visits
Fall 2007 - Districts in ESA 1
Spring 2008 - Districts in ESA 2
Fall 2008 - Districts in ESA 3 and 6
Spring 2009 - Districts in ESA 4 and 5
Fall 2010 - Districts in ESA 7

Those districts scheduled for visits in fall 2007 should schedule their 2007 visit no later than Nov. 15, 2006. To schedule a visit, please contact Jennifer Neuhauser at the phone number listed above.

Click here for more information about the new accreditation process, or call (605) 773-4774 to request a brochure.

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During the 2006-07 school year, public school students will be eligible to take online Advanced Placement (AP) courses at no cost to the district if the student completes the course with a C grade or above.* The courses are provided by Apex Learning and funded by the South Dakota Department of Education.

Apex Learning’s online AP courses provide standards-based content and certified instruction in the following subjects:

• AP Biology

• AP Calculus AB

• AP Chemistry

• AP English Language and Composition

• AP English Literature and Composition

• AP French Language

• AP Macroeconomics

• AP Microeconomics

• AP Physics B

• AP Psychology

• AP Spanish Language

• AP Statistics

• AP U.S. Government and Politics

• AP U.S. History

School leaders are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity for students. To participate in the Apex Learning online AP program, click here, print two copies of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), complete and sign them. Mail both copies to: Department of Education, Grants Management, Attn: Bonnie Olson, 700 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501.

Once the department has received your MOUs, Michelle Mehlberg will return a copy along with a confirmation letter containing instructions from Apex Learning.

To learn more about the courses available, visit http://www.apexlearning.com, or call Jason Cooper at 1-800-453-1454, ext. 5679, or e-mail jasonc@apexlearning.com.

For more information, contact Michelle Mehlberg at the South Dakota Department of Education, (605) 280-3614. michelle.mehlberg@state.sd.us

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Beginning with the class of 2010 (freshmen in 2006-07), South Dakota’s high school graduation requirements include .5 unit in either health education or physical education. Course standards have been developed for each of these content areas and were approved by the Board of Education in July 2006. Both standards documents are available online at:

• Health education standards

• Physical education standards

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Twenty-seven school districts and educational cooperatives have received a total of $1 million to fund career and technical education programs across South Dakota. The grants will support 35 projects in a variety of career areas, including architecture and construction, hospitality and tourism, and agriculture, food and natural resources.

“We are excited to be helping schools to prepare young people by building their academic and technical skills within a career cluster,” said Mark Wilson, director of career and technical education for the South Dakota Department of Education. “Programs like these will build partnerships between the state’s schools and employers to assure that curriculum is appropriate to the business community’s needs and of maximum benefit to students.”

The funded programs focus on building career-related curriculum, developing internships and hands-on professional experiences for students, and promoting entrepreneurship among high school students. Funding will assist in the development of new career and technical education programs, as well as the creation of more rigorous courses within a specific career cluster.

Funds for the career and technical education grants were appropriated by the 2006 Legislature.

Grant recipients include: 

• Beresford School District                                             

• Bridgewater School District

• Britton-Hecla School District

• East Central Multi-District

• East Dakota Educational Cooperative

• Elkton School District

• Hanson School District

• Lake Area Multi-District

• Lennox School District

• Madison School District

• McCook Central School District

• Meade School District

• Mid-Central Cooperative

• Milbank School District

• Mitchell School District

• Mobridge School District

• Northern High Tech Consortium

• Northwest Area Multi-District

• Pierre School District

• Rapid City School District

• Sioux Falls School District

• Tea Area School District

• Tri-Valley School District

• Vermillion School District

• Webster School District

• Wilmot School District

• Wolsey Wessington School District

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The Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Program gives educators an opportunity to travel overseas and learn more about another culture. Ten seminars are being offered for 2007 with 16 positions per seminar.

All seminars take place in non-western countries, including China, India and Japan. The seminars are designed to provide a broad and introductory cultural orientation to a particular country. They take place from late June to mid-August and last from four to six weeks. New this year is a seminar for math and science educators in India.

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An Elkton Elementary School teacher has been recognized as South Dakota’s No Child Left Behind 2006 American Star of Teaching. Lois Stuefen was notified of the award during a surprise visit to her classroom Aug. 21 by Sen. John Thune and U.S. Department of Education representative Rene Islas. 

Lois Stuefen has taught each grade from first through sixth at Elkton Elementary School, designing individualized projects with her students to ensure she meets the needs of each child, from the most at risk to the highest achieving. Stuefen helped organize Elkton Elementary School’s involvement in the Destination Imagination program to teach creative thinking and problem-solving skills. 

“I am proud to congratulate Mrs. Stuefen on this great honor,” Thune said. “Growing up the son of educators, I understand the time and energy teachers put into their profession. This award recognizes a long and dedicated career. Mrs. Stuefen’s family and students, current and former, are lucky to have been taught by the very best.”

Teachers across all grade levels and disciplines will be honored this fall as American Stars of Teaching. One teacher will be recognized in every state and the District of Columbia. A committee of former teachers at the U.S. Department of Education selected the American Stars from among 2,000 nominations, based on their success in improving academic performance and making a difference in students’ lives. 

Begun in 2004, the American Stars of Teaching recognition effort is part of the U.S. Department of Education’s Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative, which includes workshops for teachers, teacher and principal roundtables, regular e-mail updates, and free online professional development. More than 6,500 teachers have participated in workshops and roundtable discussions.

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Hot Topic

Dakota STEP scores still high, growth slows  

South Dakota’s 2006 Report Card shows that scores on the Dakota STEP remain high, but fewer schools made adequate yearly progress, as required under No Child Left Behind.

“As a whole, statewide test scores held fairly steady this year,” said Dr. Rick Melmer, secretary of the South Dakota Department of Education. “We commend all of those schools that made progress, especially those that made it out of school improvement. But, we are also realistic and know that the closer we get to 100 percent proficiency, the more challenging it will be to reach our annual goals.” 

South Dakota’s 2006 Report Card is based largely on the test scores of approximately 63,700 public school students in grades 3-8 and 11, who took the Dakota STEP last spring. The test, which covers both reading and math, is the state’s assessment tool under No Child Left Behind.

Eighty-three percent of students scored proficient or advanced in reading on the 2006 Dakota STEP. That compares to 82 percent last year. Seventy-three percent of students scored proficient or advanced in math, which featured all new test items aligned with the state’s new math content standards.

The Dakota STEP is one of three major indicators that the state uses to gauge student achievement in South Dakota. The other two indicators include the ACT, a college entrance exam, and the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

Schools making improvement

“One of the really positive stories we see with these results is regarding our schools in improvement,” Melmer said. The number of schools in improvement has decreased from 106 in 2004 to 102 in 2005 to 85 in 2006. “That trend says to us that, in many cases, the improvement process is working.”

Schools are identified as “in improvement” if they do not meet adequate yearly progress goals in either math or reading for two consecutive years. Under the state’s accountability workbook, any school “in improvement” is required to complete a school improvement process. These schools are required to develop an improvement plan, conduct data analysis, identify needs, establish goals and determine strategies to raise student achievement.

“Schools in improvement become very focused on their data and use that information to drive their instructional goals,” Melmer said. “Everything from professional development and curriculum to parent involvement supports the goals of the improvement plan.” 

Reading scores remain stable

At the state level, the percent of students scoring proficient or advanced in reading increased 1 percent over last year. Each of the student subgroups for which schools are held accountable stayed steady or showed very slight increases.

A number of schools that made if off school improvement this year did so in the area of reading. “These schools have really made reading a priority, and they’re seeing the positive results of their efforts,” Melmer said. In addition, statewide initiatives such as South Dakota Reads and Reading First help to support individual district’s work in this area.

New standards, test for math

As part of the South Dakota Board of Education’s standards revision cycle, this year’s math test was a brand new test, based on the state’s new math content standards. These standards reflect the rigor of the state’s new graduation requirements, which call for more advanced math courses in high school. 

Since the inception of the Dakota STEP in 2003, math scores have trailed reading scores. In 2006, the percent of students scoring proficient or advanced in math was 73 percent, compared to 83 percent in reading. While elementary and middle school students held their own on the new math test, high school students seemed to have more of a challenge. 

“We’ve known at the state level that math needs to become more of a focus,” Melmer said. This summer, the Department of Education kicked off South Dakota Counts, a statewide initiative that targets math instruction at the elementary level. A renewed focus on math at the high school level, as part of the state’s more rigorous graduation requirements, should also help to address math achievement in the long term.  

Graduation rate stays steady

South Dakota’s graduation rate for 2006 held steady at 89 percent, the same as last year. This year marked the first year that all four high school grades were included in the calculation to measure graduation rate.

With the implementation of NCLB, the Department of Education has been building a database of information that would allow calculation of a graduation rate that includes students who leave the education system anytime during 9^th through 12^th grade. “With the capturing of this last year of data, we feel like we have a graduation rate that accurately portrays the reality of graduation in South Dakota,” Melmer said, “and we’re very pleased with a nearly 90 percent graduation rate.”

State progress slows

While many schools made adequate yearly progress in 2006, the state, as a whole, did not. A number of factors contribute to this situation. For example, two important calculations that can assist schools in making AYP at the local level do not have a dramatic impact at the state level. In addition, the state is held accountable for all students in the public school system, including those who move from school to school as well as those in the state’s corrections system.

The full 2006 Report Card, including reports for individual schools and districts, is available on the Department of Education’s Web site at www.doe.sd.gov. Click on “Report Card.”

Upcoming Events

For a more complete list of professional development opportunities, visit www.southdakotapd.com.

• Workshops address testing issues
• Library training: It's just a click away
• DDN series addresses nutrition
• Making Infinite Campus work for you

Interpretive workshops for the Dakota STEP will be held in five locations across South Dakota the week of Sept. 18. The half-day sessions, which run from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., will be held in Rapid City (Sept. 18), Pierre (Sept. 19), Aberdeen (Sept. 20) and Sioux Falls (Sept. 21 and 22).

The sessions will cover results of the 2006 Dakota STEP. Participants also will learn about the fall writing assessment and upcoming activities related to the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Additional information relating to students with disabilities and limited English proficient students will be provided.

The sessions are designed for school administrators, counselors, testing coordinators, Title 1 directors and curriculum directors. Register online at www.southdakotapd.com.

Library training: It's just a click away

The South Dakota State Library offers a variety of services and resources to teachers and students available through your local school library. Your staff can learn more about these valuable resources at an in-service training. The State Library will tailor an in-service session to meet your individual school’s or district’s needs.

Resources available through the State Library include a comprehensive Web site with special sections for children and young adults; research databases for students of all ages; the library catalog of books and other items available through interlibrary loan; and information in alternative formats, including textbooks.

Teachers will learn how to navigate the State Library Web site; how the school librarian can order books and media for teachers; and how to search some of the education-related databases.

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DDN series addresses nutrition

Are you looking for a professional development opportunity on a school wellness topic?  A one-credit nutrition class will be offered Sept. 21-Nov. 16 via the Dakota Digital Network. (See DDN studio locations below.) This is a great chance for teachers and administrators to learn more about nutrition and earn one credit of renewal credit or college credit.

School nurses, food service staff, school counselors and any other staff concerned about preventing childhood obesity are welcome to participate. Parents, wellness policy committee members and community members are invited to participate, too.

The course is free for those seeking renewal credit. Cost is $5 for continuing education purposes. Reduced tuition of $59 for college credit will be supported by the Team Nutrition program. Click here to learn more about the course. Look for NFS 492/592 Current Topics Nutrition. To register, visit http://distance.sdstate.edu. 

For information, call Karlys Wells at South Dakota State University at (605) 688-4039.

The class will be held at the following DDN studio locations:

• Beresford High School
• Box Elder Middle School (Douglas)
• Brookings (South Dakota State University)
• Colman-Egan School
• Edgemont High School
• Groton High School
• Huron
• Iroquois
• Marty Indian School (High School)
• Meade (Sturgis Williams Middle School)
• Menno High School
• Parker High School
• Capital DDN site, Pierre
• Redfield High School
• Sisseton High School 
• Tea
• Watertown (Lake Area Technical Institute)
• Webster School
• White River High School
• Winner Middle School

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Making Infinite Campus work for you

Infinite Campus users are invited to the 2006 South Dakota Infinite Campus Interchange, Oct. 4-5, at Mitchell Technical Institute. The first event of its kind in South Dakota, participants will gain training on specific Infinite Campus features and will have time for valuable networking with colleagues and Infinite Campus staff.

Keynote speakers at the event include South Dakota’s Secretary of Education Rick Melmer and Charlie Kratsch, chief executive officer of Infinite Campus. Both will talk about the future of K-12 education, including the important role of technology. Melody Schopp, who leads the department’s Office of Accreditation and Teacher Quality, will provide opening remarks.

Breakout sessions will focus on Infinite Campus features such as working with Campus Gradebook, creating reports and designing report cards. Participants also will be provided a preview of enhancements to Campus 2007. A number of the sessions will offer hands-on training in the Campus Hands-On Computer Training Lab. State reporting and special education open forums also will be offered.

In addition, participants can take advantage of the onsite Interchange Hands-On Technical Support Lab, where Infinite Campus staffers will assist school representatives with issues specific to their schools by accessing their district data in the lab.

There is no charge to attend the Interchange, which is sponsored by the South Dakota Department of Education.

Participants who spend two full days at the event will be approved for one renewal credit hour by the Department of Education. Attendees must submit a certificate of completion (provided at the end of the two-day event) with their renewal form to be eligible.

Click here to view an agenda.  

Click here to register online.

For more information, contact Jay Rades, Infinite Campus, at (651) 204-3261. interchange@infinitecampus.com.

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