Education (K-12 Education)

passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 218: provide for the establishment of charter schools.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes legal framework for charter schools, expanding public school options and access within K-12 education system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Choice

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passed · South Dakota · House Feb 6, 2026

HB 1282: provide for the admission of certain children younger than five years old to the kindergarten program of a school district.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands kindergarten access for children turning five between Sept 1-Dec 1 via assessments, increasing early education opportunities for young learners.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood K-12 Education

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signed · South Dakota · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1313: require education in prenatal human growth and development.

This bill requires South Dakota public schools to teach prenatal human growth and development in health or science classes using specific materials. It mandates that schools use resources recommended by the state Board of Education, including at least three minutes of high-definition ultrasound videos showing organ development or computer-generated animations of prenatal growth from fertilization to birth. The law prohibits using any materials from entities that perform, promote, or refer to abortion services. This directly affects K-12 public school curricula in South Dakota, altering required health/science content.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill mandates specific curriculum content and materials, prohibiting alternatives, restricting educational curriculum freedom and academic choices in schools.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

died · South Dakota · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 1152: require that the secretary of the Department of Education apply to the United States Department of Education for the authority to develop and implement an innovative assessment system.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates development of evidence-based assessment system aligned with academic standards, enhancing educational quality metrics per federal requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Testing & Assessment

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passed · South Dakota · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 1078: direct the amendment of the Administrative Rules of South Dakota regarding the coursework required for high school graduation.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates specific graduation coursework requirements including core subjects and personal finance, strengthening curriculum standards and student preparedness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

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passed · South Dakota · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 1008: direct the amendment of the Administrative Rules of South Dakota regarding the awarding of high school credit for participation in extracurricular athletics.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows credit for athletics in fine arts/PE, expanding student program options and aligning with state standards to enhance educational access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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in committee · South Dakota · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 1168: provide a property tax credit for the payment of nonpublic school tuition.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax credit reducing burden for K-12 education expenses, offering tax relief to homeowners per bill's tax credit structure.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides property tax credit for K-12 education expenses (tuition, fees, materials), increasing affordability and access for families per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly includes 'educational technology' as a qualifying expense, funding tech use in K-12 education through property tax credits.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits Higher Education K-12 Education School Choice

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died · South Dakota · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 158: amend the manner in which a school district determines the district's enrollment for the purpose of calculating state aid to general education.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill adjusts enrollment calculation for state education funding, ensuring accurate aid distribution. Specifies inclusion of tuition-paying students to maintain stable funding for school districts.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education School Funding

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died · South Dakota · House Jan 29, 2026

HB 1158: revise provisions pertaining to requirements for students receiving alternative instruction.

HB 1158 revises South Dakota's requirements for students receiving alternative instruction (such as homeschooling). It requires these students to take state-mandated academic assessments if they are "partially enrolled" in a public school district (at least 50% of school hours), removing a previous exemption. The bill also adds specific deadlines: parents must file notification of alternative instruction within 30 days of starting it or changing districts, and annually by September 1st until the child graduates or fully enrolls in school. This directly affects homeschooling families and parents choosing alternative education within a public school district's boundaries.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRemoves exemption for partially enrolled students from state assessments, requiring testing and adding filing deadlines - increases regulatory burden on alternative education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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