Goals and Objectives
Progress
Reports
Goal 1: By 2010, all third grade students will be proficient - or on a learning plan to become proficient - in reading and math.
Objective 1A: Ensure that all students entering kindergarten are performing at developmentally appropriate levels.
Objective 1B: Demonstrate annual growth of 2 percent in reading and 5 percent in math in the primary grades (K-2), as measured by the Dakota STEP.
Goal 2: By 2010, South Dakota will be first in the nation for the percentage of students going on to college, technical school or advanced training.
Objective 2A: Graduate 95 percent of high school students.
Objective 2B: Enroll 75 percent of high school students in the "advanced" or "distinguished" graduation path.
Objective 2C: Increase 21st century skills using advanced technology to enhance learning.
Goal 3: By 2010, the postsecondary education system will fully meet the needs of the state's changing economy and its citizens.
Objective 3A: Offer transferable general education courses from Board of Regents' institutions at all technical institute sites, and establish up to 250 program-specific transfers for technical institute graduates at regents' institutions.
Objective 3B: Expand the number of citizens with postsecondary education and training by 20 percent.
Objective 3C: Support postsecondary education programs designed to enhance the state's long-term economy.
Objective 3D: Recruit and retain quality faculty and staff.
Objective 3E: Double the number of students receiving South Dakota Opportunity Scholarships.
Goal 4: By 2010, South Dakota will build its educator base through targeted recruitment, retention and training.
Objective 4A: Increase the number of certified teachers teaching in high-need areas by 25 percent.
Objective 4B: Increase the retention of teachers across the state by 20 percent.
Objective 4C: Increase the number of teachers that obtain advanced degrees or advanced certification from 20 to 40 percent.
Objective 4D: Establish a teacher compensation assistance program.
Goal 5: By 2010, South Dakota will increase educational outcomes for Native American students.
Objective 5A: Implement an Native American Education Act to address critical education issues related to South Dakota students, staff and schools.
Objective 5B: Improve graduation rates of Native American students.
Goal 6: By 2010, South Dakota will target financial resources to improve classroom instruction and educational opportunities.
Objective 6A: Conduct a review and implement any necessary changes to the funding formula for K-12 education.
Governor's 2010 Education Initiative
Goals and Objectives
Goals and Objectives
Starting Strong
Goal 1: By 2010, all third grade students will be proficient - or on a learning plan to become proficient - in reading and math.
Objective 1A: Ensure that all students entering kindergarten are performing at developmentally appropriate levels.
Initiatives:
- Establish a Kids Cabinet for the purpose of coordinating services for children
- Provide statewide access to screening for 3-year-olds
- Establish preschool accreditation standards
- Establish preschool teacher certification standards
- Initiate coordination of services for preschool programs
- Provide training in early literacy and numeracy for pre-K teachers
- Create a parent resource kit
Objective 1B: Demonstrate annual growth of 2 percent in reading and 5 percent in math in the primary grades (K-2), as measured by the Dakota STEP.
Initiatives:
- Mandatory kindergarten, effective July 1, 2010
- Develop training in early literacy and numeracy for K-3 teachers
- Create an assessment tool to measure student progress
- Provide technical assistance to school districts to ensure that students not demonstrating growth are on a learning plan
- Create and distribute a curriculum guide for parents
Finishing Strong
Goal 2: By 2010, South Dakota will be first in the nation for the percentage of students going on to college, technical school or advanced training.
Objective 2A: Graduate 95 percent of high school students.
Initiatives:
- Require compulsory attendance to age 18
- Implement personal learning plans for students
- Create senior project models
- Implement internship programs
- Increase use of advanced placement/dual credit courses
- Create a state scholars program that connects schools to businesses
Objective 2B: Enroll 75 percent of high school students in the "advanced" or "distinguished" graduation path.
Initiatives:
- Implement rigorous graduation requirements
- Create end-of-course exams and grade level tests
- Monitor student enrollment in South Dakota postsecondary institutions by creating a tracking process using unique student identifiers
Objective 2C: Increase 21st century skills using advanced technology to enhance learning.
Initiatives:
- Create a statewide virtual high school program
- Implement a one-to-one laptop initiative for high school students
- Implement an e-mentoring program
Goal 3: By 2010, the postsecondary education system will fully meet the needs of the state's changing economy and its citizens.
Objective 3A: Offer transferable general education courses from Board of Regents' institutions at all technical institute sites, and establish up to 250 program-specific transfers for technical institute graduates at regents' institutions.
Initiatives:
- Approve institutional agreements with the technical institutes
- Increase the number of program-to-program articulation agreements from four to 250
- Prepare marketing plan to promote program
Objective 3B: Expand the number of citizens with postsecondary education and training by 20 percent.
Initiatives:
- Increase the number of graduates from Board of Regents' associate degree programs by 10 percent
- Increase the number of graduates from bachelor degree programs by 20 percent
- Double the number of persons ages 25 and older engaged in postsecondary education
- Increase retention of students in public higher education by 8 percent
Objective 3C: Support postsecondary education programs designed to enhance the state's long-term economy.
Initiatives:
- Double the number of Ph.D. programs
- Double the number of Ph.D. graduates
- Enhance Ph.D. program support infrastructure
- Achieve the national average of people with graduate degrees, moving from 6.5 to 9.4 percent
- Double technical institutes' market penetration
Objective 3D: Recruit and retain quality faculty and staff.
Initiatives:
- Complete the Board of Regents' salary competitiveness program by reaching surrounding states' average salaries for faculty/staff at public universities
- Develop faculty/staff development plan for technical institutes
Objective 3E: Double the number of students receiving South Dakota Opportunity Scholarships.
Initiatives:
- Implement rigorous high school graduation requirements
- Strengthen South Dakota CollegePrep program
- Develop approved high school course inventories
- Standardize scholarship application process through single point of review
Staying Strong
Goal 4: By 2010, South Dakota will build its educator base through targeted recruitment, retention and training.
Objective 4A: Increase the number of certified teachers teaching in high-need areas by 25 percent.
Initiatives:
- Promote alternative routes to certification for high need areas (targeting professionals in other careers)
- Promote teaching through high school internships
- Promote more Native American teachers teaching in Native American schools through alternative certification programs
Objective 4B: Increase the retention of teachers across the state by 20 percent.
Initiatives:
- Create mentoring model for first- and second-year teachers and administrators
- Create academy for teachers completing first year of teaching
Objective 4C: Increase the number of teachers that obtain advanced degrees or advanced certification from 20 to 40 percent.
Initiatives:
- Continue support activities for National Board Certification
- Create a statewide master's degree program
Objective 4D: Establish a teacher compensation assistance program.
Initiatives:
- Create the framework for a teacher compensation assistance program
Goal 5: By 2010, South Dakota will increase educational outcomes for Native American students.
Objective 5A: Implement an Native American Education Act to address critical education issues related to South Dakota students, staff and schools.
Initiatives:
- Establish the Native American Education Act
- Produce an information packet for South Dakota schools to use as teacher training materials
Objective 5B: Improve graduation rates of Native American students.
Initiatives:
- Provide summer school academies for Native American high school students
- Provide access to Native American language and culture through distance learning and other delivery methods
Goal 6: By 2010, South Dakota will target financial resources to improve classroom instruction and educational opportunities.
Objective 6A: Conduct a review and implement any necessary changes to the funding formula for K-12 education.
Initiatives:
- Establish a taskforce of school officials, legislators and business leaders to advise the Department of Education as it reviews current funding formula
- Study all aspects of current formula including sparsity, small school factor, fund balance and other revenue
- Make final recommendations to the Governor by Nov. 15, 2006
