Social Studies | Civics

A professor at Black Hills State University is asking for $150,000 in state funding to create a Center for American Exceptionalism.

Rapid City was host to the state Board of Education Standards meeting, the third of four. Dozens of educators, administrators and parents made their voices heard in person, with hundreds of public comments submitted online.

Sioux Falls will host the second of four public comment forums at 9:00 a.m. Monday at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.

The state Department of Education is hosting a series of public hearings regarding revisions of the K-12 Social Studies standards. The process has become embroiled in controversy, particularly surrounding anything that hints at Critical Race Theory in South Dakota schools. The next meeting is Monday in Sioux Falls.

Aberdeen saw the first of four hearings over proposed content standards for South Dakota K-12 schools. The next three will be held between now and next March in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Pierre.

The meeting will be held at an undetermined future date.

This week saw the release of draft social studies standards, which have been the subject of controversy.

The Department of Education is releasing draft social studies standards for South Dakota’s K-12 students. Last year, the proposed standards were the subject of controversy following the removal of specific references to the state’s Indigenous people.

A workgroup revising K-12 social studies standards will meet this week behind closed doors.The process has drawn increased scrutiny following proposed revisions to the standards last year.

Secretary of Education Tiffany Sanderson says the controversy surrounding the department's proposed standards was the result of misunderstandings and miscommunication. But she says it's a good opportunity to reflect on how the process can be improved for the benefit of all students.