RAPID CITY, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Education announced the formation of a new social studies content standards commission.
The commission, according to a state release, will work on preparing draft standards for public review. The 15-member commission’s first meeting is May 4.
Social study standards are reviewed every seven years. Once the new draft standards are approved by the commission, they will be open to public review. This includes having four hearings across the state.
“The goal of this review process is to receive input from a diverse range of experts, including parents, educators, and Native Americans to create the best standards for our schools and ensure that our kids learn true, honest, and balanced social studies,” said Secretary of Education Tiffany Sanderson. “This thorough and transparent process allows for us to develop strong and comprehensive standards for our schools to continue to improve upon the education provided to our children.”
Controversy and protest over a draft of social study standards last year – which saw the removal of Native American history and culture from the South Dakota social studies education standards – forced Governor Kristi Noem to postpone the process of approving standards for one year while members of a new commission were appointed.
Of the newly appointed 15 member commission that will recommend social study standards for South Dakota, only two are K-12 educators.
