Education Online 2011 - South Dakota Department of Education Newsletter

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• The U.S. Department of Education announced its “ESEA Flexibility” package late last month. South Dakota plans to apply for a waiver. Learn More. »

• American Education Week is Nov. 13-19. Plan now to celebrate public education in your district.
Learn More. »

• South Dakota has become a “Governing State” in the SMARTER Balanced Consortium. The collection of about 30 states is developing next-generation assessments aligned to the Common Core.
Learn More. »

• Teachers of the Year from across the state will be honored at a banquet during the Systems Change Conference. The 2012 SD Teacher of the Year will be announced that night.
Learn More. »

Technology literacy assessment no longer required;
Districts must still prove student proficiency
Effective this school year, public school districts will no longer have to test 8th grade students to prove proficiency in technology. However, districts still need to determine proficiency at the local level and report it to the state.

South Dakota selected to be part of Science Standards development
South Dakota is one of 20 states selected as a Lead State Partner in the development of the Next Generation Science Standards, or NGSS.

Clean Diesel grants help to fund bus upgrades, purchases
A 4th round of funding through the South Dakota Clean Diesel Grant Program is now available. Funds may be used to purchase new school buses to replace older, high-emitting diesel models, and to equip in-use diesel buses with exhaust control retrofit devices.

Funding allows for continued education efforts in Indian Country
American Indian, underrepresented, and economically disadvantaged students from across South Dakota will continue to benefit in future years from more than $30 million in federal matching grants.

U.S. Ed recognizes National Blue Ribbon Schools
Three South Dakota schools – Avon Elementary, Hamlin Junior High and Sharon F. Delzer Elementary in Estelline – are among the 304 schools nationwide named as 2011 Blue Ribbon Schools.