South Dakota Department of Education

After 16 hours of occasionally tense public hearings, South Dakota has its next generation of social studies standards. After the dust settles, the question remains – what next?

As the snow keeps melting, the consequences of our harsh winter continue to hit school districts. From make-up days to virtual learning, each is making different adjustments.

The debate over the next generation of social studies standards in the state has its final public hearing in Pierre next Monday. Now, some school administrators are joining the ever-growing opposition.

Help wanted signs are prominent across the state as it continues to navigate a widespread workforce shortage. Could relaxing workplace licensing requirements be part of the solution for South Dakota?

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.

Tiffany Sanderson, secretary of South Dakota’s Department of Education, has been named the next president of Lake Area Technical College. The Watertown trade school announced the hiring this morning.

The embattled social studies standards proposal received the second of four public hearings in Sioux Falls Monday. Nearly 1,000 public comments have now been submitted regarding the issue.

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.

The Oceti Sakowin education standards, which have been tuned since being first introduced 2008, could be in violation of an executive order barring "divisive concepts" and critical race theory.