Pierre – The South Dakota Department of Education released revisions to the proposed social studies standards. The following comments can be attributed to South Dakota Education (SDEA) Executive Director Ryan Rolfs.
“The revisions made to the proposed social studies standards fall short in addressing the concerns raised by South Dakota’s educators and parents. A majority of revisions are grammatical and while some of the new language includes the word geography, the current proposal still fails to include content-rich geography standards. If these changes were truly significant, the SD. Dept. of Education should consider restarting the hearing process to give those living in the Aberdeen and Sioux Falls areas a chance to weigh in on the new proposal.
We continue to urge the Board of Education Standards to address the issues with the age appropriateness of the standards, maintain South Dakota History in the fourth grade and include the relevant Native American History that is identified in consultation with the nine tribes of South Dakota. This is what our students deserve and what parents and educators will continue to fight for.”
