Scottie Bruch

The South Dakota Board of Education Standards (BOES) meeting included discussions and actions on several key items. The agenda was adopted, and the minutes from the previous meeting were approved. The board discussed the required annual disclosure process and reviewed open meeting laws. The Board rescinded a previous action to hold a public hearing on teacher performance standards and evaluations rules. A report was presented on the Department's Literacy Initiative, followed by the Secretary of Education's report on the US Department of Education, transfer of programs, their upcoming visit, the Big Beautiful Bill, AI Tutoring and Teacher of the Year.

The South Dakota Board of Education Standards meeting included discussions and actions on several key items. The board approved a youth suicide awareness and prevention training program, specifically the Calm course. They also approved the DWU Educator Preparation Program. Additionally, the board adopted ETS cut scores for Praxis tests. A first reading of ARSD 24:57 Teacher Performance Standards and Evaluations Rules was conducted, and a public hearing was held regarding ARSD 24:28 and ARSD 24:53, focusing on educator certification and educator preparation program approval. The Secretary of Education provided a report, and the board discussed its mission, responsibilities, and authority.

The committee discussed Overdrive updates, including new search filters and a new simultaneous use package for romance titles. The list of facilitation duties was shared to reassign tasks, with Overdrive offering assistance. Reciprocal lending agreements with other consortia were explored. The committee discussed adjusting consortium settings for minors, but decided against changes. A plan for facilitation duties will be discussed at the next meeting.

The South Dakota Board of Education Standards meeting included discussions and actions on several key areas. The agenda was adopted, and the February 10, 2025, minutes were approved with corrections. The board convened a public hearing on proposed standards for English Language Arts, K-8 Computer Science, and Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings & Standards, during which proponent and opponent testimonies were heard. Amendments were made to the English Language Arts standards, and the board adopted the amended standards along with the K-8 Computer Science standards and the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings & Standards. Additionally, there was a presentation from the Douglas School District on the Science of Reading and Progress Monitoring, followed by a Secretary's Report and Presentation, and a general board discussion.

The meeting included a presentation on JAG South Dakota, discussing its history, program benefits, positive outcomes, and data. A presentation was given on the 2024-25 report card, explaining its components and accessibility. A content standards hearing was held, covering Health Education Standards and Mathematics Standards, with public comments, proponent and opponent testimonies, and rebuttals. The Secretary's Report included updates on the government shutdown, a literacy initiative, school closures, and the science of reading. The board also discussed upcoming meeting dates.