NEW: Rounds announces details of 2010 Initiative

By Doris Haugen, Associated Press Writer | Wednesday, January 04, 2006

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BERESFORD - South Dakota's public schools, still working to keep pace with major change in federal education law, could face more adjustments under a plan announced Wednesday by Gov. Mike Rounds.

The plan, which comes after more than a year of study, puts technology into the hands of more students, expands programs that prepare children for kindergarten and offers ideas for recruiting and retaining teachers.

The 2010 Initiative also seeks gains in high school graduation rates, sets goals for public universities and other post-secondary schools, and boosts education outcomes for American Indian students.

The initiative focuses on six goals covered by three broad areas: giving children a good start, making high school a challenging and relevant experience, and keeping what's good about education in South Dakota, Rounds said.

The federal No Child Left Behind law mandates that all students be proficient in reading and math by 2014.

Rounds said he thinks most schools will want to be part of the state plan, although most aspects are not mandatory.

"If they do choose to participate, the benefits will pay off for years to come ... and South Dakota will have an education system that is truly the best in the world," the governor told a crowd at the Beresford school.

The plan complements the governor's overall initiative to boost the state's economy and tourism by 2010. That initiative, which he unveiled shortly after he was elected, sets goals for the state in areas of tourism, business and economic development, research and promoting the state's quality of life.

Rounds said the 2006 Legislature will be asked to consider at least two changes included in the initiative. One would make kindergarten mandatory and the other would require students to stay in school until they are 18. Compulsory attendance now is required until age 16.

The governor and educators already have started work on some parts of the proposal.

In his budget address to the Legislature last month, Rounds proposed $13 million in state funds to help school districts buy or lease laptop computers for students in grades 9-12.

Rounds assured schools he was not trying to criticize the work they already have done.

"It's not a knock on individual schools. We're suggesting a sea change in how we look at education. That's a whole different way of approaching education in the state," he said.

Rounds' 2010 Education Initiative, announced Wednesday, comes after more than a year of study. Many of the ideas were suggested by teachers, parents and others during statewide meetings.

According to the governor's six-point plan, by 2010:

-- All third grade students will be proficient or on a plan to become proficient in reading and math.

-- South Dakota will be first in the nation for the percentage of students going on to college, technical school or advanced training.

-- The post-secondary education system will meet the needs of the state's changing economy and its citizens.

-- South Dakota will build its educator base through targeted recruitment, retention and training.

-- South Dakota will increase educational outcomes for American Indian students.

-- South Dakota will target financial resources to improve classroom instruction and education opportunities.