PIERRE, S.D. (KELO AM) South Dakota's new education blueprint, required by federal law, includes a new goal of making public schools safe and healthy.
The new goal, along with more traditional ones, is one of the plan's so-called accountability indicators on how well South Dakota public schools are preparing students for life, for college, and for careers.
"One of the conversations we had with stakeholders was how important school climate is, and I know that is kind of squishy and hard to describe, but its that when you walk into a school building, do the kids feel welcome, do the teachers feel welcome." explains State Education Department Spokeswoman Mary Stadick-Smith.
All the proposed accountability indicators are works in progress, so Stadick-Smith says the 'safe and healthy' goal may wind up including everything from making Native American kids feel comfortable in their schools to keeping children from being bullied.
The South Dakota public can view the entire plan and chime in on it for the next 30 days at:
http://doe.sd.gov/secretary/essa.aspx
The new South Dakota education plan is required under the Every Student Succeeds Act, which gives greater flexibility to the states. Development of the plan follow a year of conversations with stakeholders across the state, including students, parents, teachers, school administrators, school board members, legislators, tribal representatives and representatives from higher education.