Members of House Education endorsed a change in the state's graduation pathways that supporters say will eliminate confusion and give students more options to pursue career and technical education courses.

Melody Schopp, a representative of the Department of Educaiton, asked lawmakers to approve the SB 185, telling lawmakers that the four-year-old graduation requirements have created confusion. The law outlines two pathways, the Department of Education outlines a third and local school districts often add a fourth, Schopp said.

She also told legislators that, though the department felt the three-tiered plan was a good idea four years ago, it has had unintended consequences of labeling children as low-achievers. Having are more responsive recommended program is a better solution, Schopp said.

The bill's House sponsor, Rep. Jason Frerichs, D-Wilmot, said that the measure also provides students with greater flexibility under the state's recommended graduation path by allowing the state department to include career and tech education courses within the state's recommended program.

The committee voted 13-1 to approve the measure.

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Students working toward a GED will satisfy the state's compulsory attendance law, according a measure passed Tuesday by Senate Education.

According to SB 126, 16- and 17-year olds students can enroll in GED programs if their parent or guardian gives the student permission. Students can be excused from public school attendance for one of five reasons, including:

• The student will not graduate with their cohort class because of credit deficiency;
• Authorization from a court services officer;
• A court order requiring the child to enter the program;
• Verification that the child is under the direction of the Department of Corrections; or
• Verification that the child is enrolled in Job Corps

Representatives from the Rapid City and Sioux Falls School Districts supported the change, saying the compromise provides much-needed flexibility for school districts and students.

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Multi-districts that offer career and technical education courses will also be able to offer academic course offerings, a House panel decided Wednesday.

Members of House Education unanimously endorsed HB 1044, a measure that Department of Education officials say will provide local school districts with greater flexibility and make high school more relevant for students.

Mark Wilson, state director for career and technical education, told lawmakers that the legislation allows students to choose which setting fits their learning style. A student who learns more effectively working with their hands could take other subjects in conjunction with trade education.

According to Wilson, the change coincides with the state’s High School 2025 initiative to strengthen the high school experience. In addition to the change proposed in HB 1044, the state is also working to develop alternate certification to make it possible for current CTE teachers to also teach core subjects, such as math.

A multi-district is a agreement between several school districts to provide career and technical education. Currently, multi-district centers are set up in Aberdeen, Brookings and Watertown. There’s also a mobile multi-district arrangement in Northwest South Dakota. According to Wilson, Madison Central is also working on a similar venture.

The legislation will be considered on the House floor this week.

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PIERRE, S.D. –  State legislators got a taste of high school in the 21^st century today, when the Department of Education officially launched its High School 2025 initiative. High School 2025 offers a framework of key practices to prepare students for success in today’s global economy.

“The whole purpose of High School 2025 is to provide a student-focused experience based on the four Rs: relevance, relationships, rigor and results,” said Mark Wilson, director of career and technical education for the Department of Education. “How is it different from what schools are currently doing? It’s much more focused on the individual student’s academic and career goals. Students make the connection between what they are doing in high school and how it will impact their lives in the future.”

 

Personal learning plans play a significant role in the High School 2025 model. Each student develops a plan that lays out coursework and activities based on long-term academic and career goals. As 8^th graders, students take an interest assessment that helps them to identify a potential career field of interest, called a “career cluster.” Armed with that information as well as input from parents and teachers, students begin to build a plan for their high school experience – one that will prepare them for specific postsecondary work, and ultimately, a career field.

 

“The fields of interest cover very broad areas: health science, information technology, manufacturing, and hospitality and tourism, for example,” Wilson said. “We also recognize that students will make changes to their plans over time.”  

 

In addition to traditional academics, a personal learning plan may include things such as a capstone experience designed to demonstrate a student’s cumulative learning; an internship; and courses taken online.
 

As part of the High School 2025 kickoff, legislators watched portions of a new South Dakota Public Broadcasting television program dedicated to High School 2025. The program, which is a joint effort of SDPB and the South Dakota Department of Education, will air for the first time on SDPB-TV Jan. 20, 7 p.m. Central / 6 p.m. Mountain.

For more information about High School 2025, visit www.highschool2025.com.

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