SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) -The South Dakota Department of Education released the latest report from the Student Teacher Accountability and Reporting System and it shows more schools and students are making progress.
President of the South Dakota Education Association, Mary McCorkle says the reports shows almost 70% of schools are progressing, with 5% in the exemplary category.
McCorkle says it's important to develop an accountability system that generates the report card, that really puts students in the center of what's important. She says it's very definitely that "we are moving in the right direction."
McCorkle says the report card is from new testing known as "Smarter Balance" so it can't be compared to the old Dakota Step test.
She says the report focuses on test scores but also includes other variables such as attendance and it also includes high quality teachers. She says in the end what everyone is concerned about is the best education possible for students.
The report reveals that 98% of core classes are taught by "highly qualified" teachers.
She says that demonstrates that the teacher who is responsible for that class has the skills and the knowledge to assure that every student in that classroom has the best learning environment available.
Of the 9,500 teachers in South Dakota, the report says 34% have advanced degrees and, on average, 14 years of classroom experience.