South Dakota Department of Education Presents CRT Survey Results at Department
Gov. Christy Noem’s office announced Monday afternoon that it was due to receive a report from the Secretary of Education by July detailing what fosters an inherently divisive notion in K-12 education.
The document is almost 45 days late. This was due on July 1, via one of Noem’s Executive Orders, when Noem’s bill (House Bill 1337) “Protecting Elementary and Middle School Students from Political Brainwashing” was approved by the Senate. Signed on April 5 after being annulled by the school board. march.
A similar bill to HB 1337 was House Bill 1012. This is now state law, targeted at higher education, and prohibits mandatory college training and orientation based on critical racial theories and other divisive concepts.
According to Noem’s office, a report from Secretary of Education Tiffany Sanderson detailed examples of CRTs and other divisive concepts in DOE policies, guidance, websites, training, content standards, and other materials. increase. However, it does not extend to local school policies, materials and resources.
Other higher education officials in the state, including Sanderson himself, have long stated that important racial theories are not taught in the state and do not appear in the content standards or curricula of K-12 schools. I came
more:‘Nobody Teaches a Class in Critical Racial Theory’: The Perceived Impact of CRT in South Dakota Education
“We are actively removing critical race theories from schools before they take root,” Noem said in a statement. “We will take action to promote a true and honest history of America, including the history and culture of Native American tribes, free from the influence of important racial theories and other divisive concepts. I have.”
What are the main changes required?
Sanderson said very few of the thousands of items reviewed were deemed “not consistent” with the governor’s executive order.
“The department is taking steps to change or discontinue these items. We will continue to work to ensure that we do,” Sanderson said in a statement.
Existing policies, resources, and other materials reviewed by DOE were largely aligned with Noem’s Executive Order. They understand the world around them and are free from prejudices,” the report said.
more:Gov. Christy Noem Signs Executive Order Restricting Critical Racial Theory in K-12 Schools
Several areas were identified where processes could be enhanced to clarify DOE’s operations or to ensure consistency in scrutinizing resources for its programs and services. A number of additional items unrelated to the order are found to be outdated or irrelevant and are either removed from circulation or archived.
Areas reviewed that do not require action include K-12 school accreditation, data and research, finance and administration, and graduation requirements.
Public Safety, Review of Oceti Sakowin Standards
According to the report, two standards in current careers and those in technical education are “potentially problematic” and should be changed.
Current criteria for the Law and Public Safety II course include: “Analyzing differences in power and privilege as they relate to people of culturally diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and practices”; Analyzing issues of assimilation and cultural preservation.” South Dakota and USA. ”
DOE staff also considered “fragmented” or “unpacked” criteria that optionally supplement the content criteria. Some have suggested activities. For example, “circulate petitions and organize rallies (or) advocate a boycott.”
Sanderson’s report states that the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings standard (OSEU) presents a unique situation. The bill he passed in 2007 and the group met in 2008 to work on the standards. This work has evolved over the years. Some of the OSEU’s proposed teaching methods may not be consistent with Noem’s mandate, the report said.
more:New social studies standards “should be free from political agenda and activism,” says DOE draft
For example, one suggested activity is to “simulate an assimilation experience.” DOE encourages experts and stakeholders who are not DOE staff to review her OSEU. The OSEU is currently scheduled for public hearings in 2024 and 2025.
Removed words like fairness, bias, etc.
In the Educator Preparation category, DOE transitioned the South Dakota Indian Studies course “Strands” from the previous “Establishing Fundamental Awareness of Cultural Dynamics Such as Racial and Gender Prejudices, Stereotyping, and Assumptions.” We recommend that you revise it. “Establishing a basic awareness of cultural dynamics”.
DOE also plans to introduce legislation to change references to “educational equity in school districts” in state law and to propose removing “promoting equity” from two administrative regulations.
Other areas of action highlighted by DOE include:
- Renamed Annual Report “Schools and Educators Equity Report” to “Rate of Access to Qualified Teachers”
- Amend the process for verifying Continuing Education contact hours and eligibility for educator certification renewals.
- Revisions to some program approval assessment tools
- Engage in board, tribal and private college educator preparation programs to review course syllabuses and materials
- Modify documents and resources to remove terms and content where appropriate
- Develop guidance for staff members and contractors to use in selecting training topics and presenters, building professional development, and scrutinizing resources
- Change out-of-sequence training and associated resources
- Add a component to the course approval process where the provider ensures content is up to order
- Remove outdated or inconsistent resources from websites and other circulation
- Review and restrict links to resources, materials, and websites other than DOE or its official partners
Now that the report has been issued, DOE will focus on taking the actions identified in the report by October 1, as directed by Noem.
