Goals and Objectives
GOAL FOUR
By 2010, South Dakota will build its educator base through targeted recruitment, retention and training.
Currently, 85 percent of third-grade students are proficient in reading and 78 percent are proficient in math. (Source: South Dakota's 2005 Report Card)
OBJECTIVES
BACKGROUND
SUMMARY
This goal aims to keep South Dakota's teaching force strong by focusing on recruiting and retaining quality educators.
HIGHLIGHTS
FUNDING
The Department of Education will pursue mechanisms for funding. Declining enrollment dollars would be used to fund the teacher compensation assistance program.
GOAL FIVE
By 2010, South Dakota will increase educational outcomes for Native American students.
OBJECTIVES
BACKGROUND
SUMMARY
Goal Five pledges the state's commitment to working with the Native American community to address issues pertinent to the education of our Native American youth. It specifically focuses on improving the Native American graduation rate.
HIGHLIGHTS
To fund these programs, the Department of Education will join resources with its partners in the Native American Education Act. In addition, the department has secured a Gear Up grant from the U.S. Department of Education to fund the summer school academies.
GOAL SIX
South Dakota will target financial resources to improve classroom instruction and educational opportunities.
OBJECTIVES
Conduct a review and implement any necessary changes to the funding formula for K-12 education.
BACKGROUND
SUMMARY
Goal Six focuses on issues related to education funding, in an effort to keep South Dakota schools running as efficiently and effectively as possible.
HIGHLIGHTS
Staying Strong
GOAL FOUR
By 2010, South Dakota will build its educator base through targeted recruitment, retention and training.
Currently, 85 percent of third-grade students are proficient in reading and 78 percent are proficient in math. (Source: South Dakota's 2005 Report Card)
OBJECTIVES
- Increase the number of certified teachers teaching in high-need areas by 25 percent.
- Increase the retention of teachers across the state by 20 percent.
- Increase the number of teachers that obtain advanced degrees or advanced certification from 20 to 40 percent.
- Establish a teacher compensation assistance program
BACKGROUND
- Many South Dakota school districts struggle to find teachers in certain subject areas. As outlined by criteria for the Dakota Corps Scholarship, current critical need areas include:
- K-12 music, special education, foreign language teachers
- High school math, science teachers
- Following the 2003-04 school year, South Dakota lost 11 percent of its teachers. The largest reported loss was due to retirement.
- In 2004-05, 30 percent of classroom FTE fell in the age category of "51 and up." Only 18 percent fell in the age category of "20 to 30."
- In 2004-05, the percentage of South Dakota teachers that held master's degrees was 21 percent. The large majority - 77 percent - held bachelor's degrees.
SUMMARY
This goal aims to keep South Dakota's teaching force strong by focusing on recruiting and retaining quality educators.
HIGHLIGHTS
- South Dakota will promote alternative routes to certification via programs such as the Dakota Corps Scholarship, Teach for America, Troops to Teachers and Transition to Teaching.
- South Dakota will develop alternative certification programs designed specifically to promote Native American teachers teaching in Native American schools.
- South Dakota will create a mentoring program consisting of new teachers paired with veteran teachers.
- South Dakota will create an academy designed to support first- and second-year teachers.
- South Dakota will continue to support the National Board Certification program, which results in advanced certification and higher earnings for teachers.
- The Department of Education will work with universities statewide to create a master's degree cohort program. This program will make it easier and more affordable for teachers to pursue an advanced degree.
- A program to assist school districts in enhancing teacher compensation will be introduced. Schools may apply for funding based on three criteria: district instructional goals, market compensation and/or performance.
FUNDING
The Department of Education will pursue mechanisms for funding. Declining enrollment dollars would be used to fund the teacher compensation assistance program.
GOAL FIVE
By 2010, South Dakota will increase educational outcomes for Native American students.
OBJECTIVES
- Implement an Native American Education Act to address critical education issues related to South Dakota students, staff and schools.
- Improve graduation rates of Native American students.
BACKGROUND
- In 2004, 13,232 Native American students were enrolled in South Dakota's public schools.
- At 10.8 percent of the student population, that's the largest student minority group. The next largest minority group was Hispanic, at 1.9 percent.
- The graduation rate for Native American students enrolled in South Dakota's public schools was 66 percent in 2004-05.
SUMMARY
Goal Five pledges the state's commitment to working with the Native American community to address issues pertinent to the education of our Native American youth. It specifically focuses on improving the Native American graduation rate.
HIGHLIGHTS
- An Native American Education Act will pave the way for schools serving Native American students - whether run by the state, a tribe or the Bureau of Indian Affairs - to join resources to address graduation and achievement issues.
- Summer school academies for Native American high school students will be established. The model for this program has a successful track record in South Dakota and will be expanded extensively. The program:
- Targets students in grades 7 through 12, in an effort to keep them on track for graduation from high school.
- Focuses on academic preparation and support.
- Includes a mentoring component to reinforce learning and skills gained during summer academies.
- Access to courses on Native American language and culture will be provided via distance learning and other delivery methods.
To fund these programs, the Department of Education will join resources with its partners in the Native American Education Act. In addition, the department has secured a Gear Up grant from the U.S. Department of Education to fund the summer school academies.
GOAL SIX
South Dakota will target financial resources to improve classroom instruction and educational opportunities.
OBJECTIVES
BACKGROUND
- The state's current formula for funding K-12 public schools is nearly 10 years old.
- During the 2005 legislative session, the Governor and Legislature charged the Department of Education with the task of studying the existing formula.
SUMMARY
Goal Six focuses on issues related to education funding, in an effort to keep South Dakota schools running as efficiently and effectively as possible.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The Department of Education will study the existing funding formula, with a final report due to the Governor by Nov. 15, 2006.
- Topics to be included in the discussion of appropriate school funding include: sparsity, small school factor, increasing/declining enrollment, consolidation incentives, "other" revenue, fund balances, impact aid, capital outlay fund, pension fund, and property tax issues.
