Education (K-12 Education)

SB 218 establishes a legal framework for charter schools in South Dakota. It defines charter schools as public schools operating under contracts with school districts or the state education department, granting them exemptions from most state education laws while requiring compliance with civil rights, health/safety rules, and standardized testing. The bill mandates annual performance reporting to the state, outlines application requirements for nonprofit organizers (including community support and financial plans), and specifies that charter schools must serve grades K-12 nonsectarianly without religious instruction. This directly affects school districts (as authorizing entities), nonprofit organizers seeking to open charter schools, and students enrolled in these schools.

HB 1282 allows South Dakota school districts to admit children younger than five to kindergarten under specific conditions. It requires districts to adopt policies admitting children who will turn five between September 1 and December 1 of the school year and who demonstrate readiness for kindergarten through cognitive and social assessments. Parents may transfer their child to another district if their home district does not adopt such a policy. The bill directly affects young children, their families, and school districts by creating a structured pathway for early kindergarten enrollment.

HB 1152 requires South Dakota's Department of Education to apply to the U.S. Department of Education for authority to create a new assessment system. If approved, the state must develop and implement an assessment model that meets specific federal requirements, including measuring student growth in reading and math, aligning with existing academic standards, using science-based literacy practices, and reinforcing foundational math skills. The bill directly affects South Dakota public schools and the Department of Education, mandating consultation with educators and parents during development. This change would replace current state assessment practices with a federally approved system starting January 1, 2026.

HB 1078 requires South Dakota's Board of Education to amend administrative rules by September 2026 to update high school graduation coursework requirements. The bill mandates specific credit counts: 4 units of language arts (including writing, speech, and American literature), 3 social studies units (U.S. history and government), 3 math units (including Algebra I), 3 science units (including biology), plus required courses in personal finance, fine arts, physical education, health, and electives. It allows substitutions for one science credit using approved advanced computer science or agriculture science courses (but not for biology), and permits up to one fine arts credit through extracurricular activities with documented alignment to state standards. This directly affects all South Dakota public high school students and school districts implementing graduation standards.

HB 1008 requires South Dakota schools to amend administrative rules to allow students to earn high school credit for participation in extracurricular athletics. Specifically, it permits up to one fine arts credit (max 1/4 credit per activity per year) and up to one-half physical education credit (max 1/4 credit per varsity athletic activity per year) through school-sanctioned activities. School districts must document how these activities align with state standards for fine arts and physical education. The amendment must be filed by September 30, 2026, directly affecting South Dakota high school students and school districts.

HB 1168 creates a property tax credit for South Dakota homeowners who pay for qualifying K-12 education expenses for children aged 5-19. The credit covers tuition, school fees (including sports/fine arts), textbooks, tutoring, test fees, transportation, and educational technology. It limits the credit to $1,000 per year or 80% of the school district taxes owed. Homeowners must apply annually by June 1st with documentation from the school or alternative instruction provider.

SB 158 changes how South Dakota school districts calculate enrollment for state education funding. It specifies that a district's fall enrollment - used to determine aid - must include all K-12 students enrolled on the last Friday of September, plus students the district pays tuition for, minus students it receives tuition for (excluding nonresident students in state care and students in specific special education programs). The bill also defines annual enrollment as the higher of the fall or spring enrollment counts. This directly affects all public school districts receiving state aid for general education by altering their funding calculation base.