Gov. Dennis Daugaard used his state-of-the-state speech Tuesday to outline a series of sweeping policy proposals that will reshape public education in South Dakota.

Measuring school, student and teacher performance are key components to the governor’s ambitious education agenda. In his speech to lawmakers, the governor referenced a push already underway to revamp South Dakota’s public school accountability system and to change the way teachers are evaluated, calling the efforts central to a new Investing in Teaching Initiative that will financially reward some teachers and strip new teachers of continuing contract rights.

Before outlining his education proposals, the governor used a battery of statistics – enrollment trends, inflation-adjusted spending data, school staffing levels and achievement scores – to establish an argument that additional public school funding doesn't lead to improved achievement. 

“We are not afraid of investing in our young people,” Daugaard said. “But we cannot put money into the same old system.”

The governor praised South Dakota public schools and dedicated educators for helping keep South Dakota achievement scores high, but he expressed concern that test scores have flat-lined. To address stagnant achievement levels, Gov. Daugaard announced a series of policy proposals he believes will improve classroom teaching and better compensate educators, including what he called “the largest investment in the teaching profession in our state’s history.”

Under Daugaard’s plan, South Dakota teachers that don’t currently have continuing contract status will not be granted the protection. The governor said the proposal, which will take effect at the beginning of the next school year, is intended to give administrators the tools to “deal with low-performing teachers.”

Two new programs totaling more than $15 million annually will provide teacher salary enhancements funded entirely by the state.

Math and science teachers at the middle and high school levels will be given a $3,500 bonus each year, beginning in the 2013-14 school year. The proposal meshes with a major workforce development initiative, called South Dakota Wins, which the governor also announced Tuesday. The initiative also coincides with his campaign promise to boost science, technology, engineering and math education at the K-12 level.

In addition, the state’s top performing teachers will be eligible for a $5,000 bonus. To qualify, a teacher must be characterized as a “distinguished” teacher according to a new state-mandated teacher evaluation system. Schools will receive sufficient state funding to provide 20 percent of the district’s “distinguished” teachers with the one-year bonus. The program has a delayed implementation to ensure that the state’s new teacher evaluation system is fully implemented.

The proposals, which are sure to be a hot topic during the 2011 Legislative Session, will be released in bill form later this week.

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