Frequently Asked Questions
How was the 2010 Education Initiative developed?
In the summer of 2004, Governor Mike Rounds and the Department of Education hosted a series of discussions about education in South Dakota. Participants included educators, parents and business leaders across the state. The 2010E plan reflects ideas shared at these meetings, as well as the goals and priorities for education identified by the Governor and the Department of Education.
How much will this plan cost?
Many of the items in the 2010 Education Initiative do not have large price tags associated with them. The Kids Cabinet, for example, will cost virtually nothing but is essential to coordinating state services offered to South Dakota's children.
Three of the items - preschool, the laptop initiative and the teacher salary enhancement plan - will require financial investment. However, each of these initiatives has the potential to offer significant yields in terms of benefits for our young people. Wherever possible, the Department of Education will pursue grant opportunities and partnerships to help defray the costs of these efforts. In some cases, it will be necessary to pursue new revenue streams .
Why are you proposing a state preschool program when we can't even fund K-12 schools properly?
Preschool is a wise long-term investment for South Dakota. Children who participate in quality preschool programs are more likely to enter kindergarten with the knowledge they need to succeed. Children who struggle in the early grades may fall behind and never catch up to their peers.
Current research, including the landmark High/Scope Perry Preschool study, indicates that those who attend preschool have higher levels of educational attainment, have better attitudes towards schools and have higher earnings. The research points to social benefits as well, including a lower crime rate.
South Dakota is one of only 12 states in the nation not to offer a state-funded preschool program. While a state preschool program will cost money, it will be a wise, long-term investment. Furthermore, the 2010E plan calls for a blended approach to preschool, which means funding could come from various sources, including federal, state and local dollars, thereby leveraging resources.
What does a "blended" preschool look like?
Think of it like the National School Lunch program. All students get the exact same meal, but the students are not all paying the same price for that meal. An observer can't tell which student is getting his meal free and which is paying full price.
How will private preschool providers fit into the picture?
Any preschool - public or private - would be eligible to seek accreditation under this plan, and any accredited preschool could be eligible to receive funding. Funding would run through the State Aid formula. Districts would be required to work with any accredited preschool - public or private - within its boundaries.
Under this plan, local school districts would work with their community to determine a preschool program that fits its needs. In one community, the district might operate a preschool on school grounds, using a combination of federal and state dollars. In another community, the district might employ a preschool teacher who is mobile and spends time teaching at all accredited preschools - including faith-based preschools - in that community. We anticipate that a variety of models will arise.
Why should we provide laptops to students to use in high school? They'll just use them to check e-mail.
Three reasons:
Why are you getting involved in teacher pay?
The teacher salary enhancement plan does two things. It supplements current salaries with stipends, and it recognizes teachers for their work.
While this plan won't raise the base salaries of South Dakota's teachers, it is a step in the right direction towards addressing the issue. Further, the program requires a commitment on the part of the local district to participate in the process - indicating a willingness to address the issue of teacher salaries at the local level.
Will all of these plans mean more work for already overworked educators?
Few items in the 2010 Education Initiative are mandatory. Several of the big things that would be mandatory include: higher expectations for high school students via the new graduation requirements, compulsory attendance until age 18, and mandatory kindergarten. The 2010 Education Initiative allows schools to pick and choose from the plan, based on their individual needs and goals. Many of the 2010E initiatives offer turn-key models that schools can implement with little extra effort. For example:
Why does the plan single out Native American students?
Native American students are South Dakota's largest minority, comprising about 10.8 percent of the total student population. The next closest minority group is Hispanic, at 1.9 percent. Historically, Native American students' graduation rates and achievement scores have tended to be lower than the general student population. In addition to these indicators, Native American leaders have asked the Department of Education to become involved in addressing the particular needs of Native American students. Quite simply, it's the right thing to do.
How was the 2010 Education Initiative developed?
In the summer of 2004, Governor Mike Rounds and the Department of Education hosted a series of discussions about education in South Dakota. Participants included educators, parents and business leaders across the state. The 2010E plan reflects ideas shared at these meetings, as well as the goals and priorities for education identified by the Governor and the Department of Education.
How much will this plan cost?
Many of the items in the 2010 Education Initiative do not have large price tags associated with them. The Kids Cabinet, for example, will cost virtually nothing but is essential to coordinating state services offered to South Dakota's children.
Three of the items - preschool, the laptop initiative and the teacher salary enhancement plan - will require financial investment. However, each of these initiatives has the potential to offer significant yields in terms of benefits for our young people. Wherever possible, the Department of Education will pursue grant opportunities and partnerships to help defray the costs of these efforts. In some cases, it will be necessary to pursue new revenue streams .
Why are you proposing a state preschool program when we can't even fund K-12 schools properly?
Preschool is a wise long-term investment for South Dakota. Children who participate in quality preschool programs are more likely to enter kindergarten with the knowledge they need to succeed. Children who struggle in the early grades may fall behind and never catch up to their peers.
Current research, including the landmark High/Scope Perry Preschool study, indicates that those who attend preschool have higher levels of educational attainment, have better attitudes towards schools and have higher earnings. The research points to social benefits as well, including a lower crime rate.
South Dakota is one of only 12 states in the nation not to offer a state-funded preschool program. While a state preschool program will cost money, it will be a wise, long-term investment. Furthermore, the 2010E plan calls for a blended approach to preschool, which means funding could come from various sources, including federal, state and local dollars, thereby leveraging resources.
What does a "blended" preschool look like?
Think of it like the National School Lunch program. All students get the exact same meal, but the students are not all paying the same price for that meal. An observer can't tell which student is getting his meal free and which is paying full price.
How will private preschool providers fit into the picture?
Any preschool - public or private - would be eligible to seek accreditation under this plan, and any accredited preschool could be eligible to receive funding. Funding would run through the State Aid formula. Districts would be required to work with any accredited preschool - public or private - within its boundaries.
Under this plan, local school districts would work with their community to determine a preschool program that fits its needs. In one community, the district might operate a preschool on school grounds, using a combination of federal and state dollars. In another community, the district might employ a preschool teacher who is mobile and spends time teaching at all accredited preschools - including faith-based preschools - in that community. We anticipate that a variety of models will arise.
Why should we provide laptops to students to use in high school? They'll just use them to check e-mail.
Three reasons:
1) It will level the playing field - allowing all students equal access to resources. Currently, children in high-income families are four times more likely to use computers than those in low-income families. (Source: Laptops for Learning: Final Report and Recommendations, March 22, 2004) By providing laptops to all high school students, it bridges this "digital divide."
2) It will result in positive academic outcomes, including improved research skills, improved student achievement, improved work quality and students who are more motivated to learn. Technology also allows teachers to more easily differentiate lessons.
3) South Dakota currently ranks first in the nation for access to technology in schools, according to a 2005 report by Education Week. If we want to continue to give our students the technology advantage, we need to stay at the cutting edge.
Why are you getting involved in teacher pay?
The teacher salary enhancement plan does two things. It supplements current salaries with stipends, and it recognizes teachers for their work.
While this plan won't raise the base salaries of South Dakota's teachers, it is a step in the right direction towards addressing the issue. Further, the program requires a commitment on the part of the local district to participate in the process - indicating a willingness to address the issue of teacher salaries at the local level.
Will all of these plans mean more work for already overworked educators?
Few items in the 2010 Education Initiative are mandatory. Several of the big things that would be mandatory include: higher expectations for high school students via the new graduation requirements, compulsory attendance until age 18, and mandatory kindergarten. The 2010 Education Initiative allows schools to pick and choose from the plan, based on their individual needs and goals. Many of the 2010E initiatives offer turn-key models that schools can implement with little extra effort. For example:
- State will develop standards for preschools to follow, if they choose to pursue accreditation.
- State will develop an assessment tool for primary-grade teachers.
- State will provide end-of-course exams to help high school teachers gauge student achievement.
- State will develop models for implementing Personal Learning Plans and Senior Projects.
- State will lead the way in forging a statewide laptop initiative - providing a $1 match to every $2 invested by districts.
Why does the plan single out Native American students?
Native American students are South Dakota's largest minority, comprising about 10.8 percent of the total student population. The next closest minority group is Hispanic, at 1.9 percent. Historically, Native American students' graduation rates and achievement scores have tended to be lower than the general student population. In addition to these indicators, Native American leaders have asked the Department of Education to become involved in addressing the particular needs of Native American students. Quite simply, it's the right thing to do.
