South Dakota Administrative Rules Title 24 - EDUCATION
South Dakota Administrative Rules (SDAR) Title 24 is a comprehensive body of regulations governing EDUCATION in the state. These rules are promulgated by the South Dakota Department of Education and the South Dakota Board of Education, providing the detailed framework for the operation of public and nonpublic schools, educator licensing, curriculum, special education, and various educational programs.
Given the breadth of education, Title 24 is organized into numerous articles and chapters, covering a wide range of topics. Here's a general overview of the key areas you would find:
I. Administration and General Provisions:
South Dakota Board of Education (formerly Article 24:01, 24:50 - some parts repealed/superseded): While specific articles might be repealed or superseded over time, the overall regulatory authority flows from the Board. These sections would define the board's role and general administrative procedures.
Definitions: Standardized terms used throughout the education regulations.
General State Aid (Article 24:17): Regulations related to the distribution of state funding to school districts.
II. School Operations and Accreditation:
School Accreditation and Improvement (Article 24:03, 24:43, 24:52): These articles outline the standards and processes for accrediting public and nonpublic schools in South Dakota. This includes:
Definitions related to accreditation.
Requirements for curriculum and courses of instruction (e.g., specific subjects, units of credit, graduation requirements).
Standards for school facilities, fire safety, and environmental health.
Requirements for student services (e.g., health services, food services).
Provisions for school term and holidays.
Rules regarding school finance accountability (Article 24:44).
Public school accountability system (Article 24:55), including performance indicators and reporting.
School Buses (Article 24:06): Regulations for the safety, inspection, and operation of school buses.
Student Due Process (Article 24:07): Procedures for student suspensions (short-term and long-term) and expulsions, ensuring due process rights are followed.
Compulsory School Attendance: Regulations enforcing state compulsory attendance laws.
Modernizing K-12 Education (Article 24:13 - Repealed): Indicates previous initiatives in education reform.
Cooperation in Education (Article 24:56): Rules regarding educational cooperatives and inter-district agreements.
III. Educator Certification and Professional Standards:
Educator Certification (Article 24:02, 24:28, 24:51 - some parts superseded/repealed): This is a very significant area, detailing:
Requirements for obtaining various types of teaching certificates (e.g., initial, professional, administrative).
Application procedures, fees, and duration of certificates.
Specific requirements for different teaching areas (e.g., elementary, secondary, K-12 subjects like art, music, physical education, South Dakota Indian studies).
Requirements for administrators' certificates.
Continuing education/professional development requirements for certificate renewal.
Educator Preparation Program Approval (Article 24:16, 24:19, 24:53): Regulations for colleges and universities that offer educator preparation programs, ensuring they meet state standards for training future teachers, administrators, and other school professionals. This includes requirements for:
Curriculum and competencies (e.g., Learner Development, Content Knowledge, Instructional Practice).
Faculty qualifications.
Student teaching placements (minimum weeks, supervised experience).
Assessment of candidate competence.
Professional Ethics (Article 24:08 for Teachers, Article 24:11 for Administrators): Codes of professional ethics outlining expected conduct, responsibilities to students, the profession, and the community. Recent updates often include requirements for reporting violations of the code.
Certificate Denial and Discipline Procedures (Article 24:18): Rules for investigating complaints against educators and administrators, and for the procedures involved in denying, suspending, or revoking certificates.
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and National School Counselor Certification (Article 24:15): Regulations encouraging and recognizing these advanced certifications.
Teacher Performance Standards and Evaluation (Article 24:57): Guidelines for how teachers are to be evaluated.
Principal Performance Standards and Evaluation (Article 24:58): Guidelines for how principals are to be evaluated.
Teacher Compensation Program (Article 24:54): Regulations related to state programs affecting teacher salaries.
Mentoring (Article 24:41): Rules for mentoring programs for new educators.
IV. Special Programs and Services:
Special Education (Article 24:05): Extensive regulations concerning the identification, evaluation, and provision of services for students with disabilities, aligning with federal laws like IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act).
Early Intervention Program (Article 24:14): Regulations for programs supporting young children with developmental delays.
Career and Technical Education (Article 24:10): Rules for vocational and technical education programs in schools.
Scholarships and Grants (Article 24:40): Regulations for state-funded scholarships and grants, such as the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship, detailing eligibility, persistence, and payment requirements.
State Library (Article 24:30): Rules related to the operation and services of the South Dakota State Library.
Postsecondary Technical Institutes (Article 24:59): Regulations specifically for postsecondary technical education.
Medical Cannabis and Schools (Article 24:80): Recent regulations addressing the use of medical cannabis by students in schools, following the legalization of medical marijuana in the state.
SDAR Title 24 is continually updated to reflect new legislation, educational best practices, and federal mandates. It is the core regulatory document for anyone involved in the K-12 and post-secondary technical education system in South Dakota, from state policymakers to local school administrators, teachers, parents, and students.
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