SD DOE Curriculum Standards

The Role of State Standards

South Dakota's content standards outline the knowledge and skills students should acquire at each grade level from Kindergarten through 12th grade. The standards are set by the South Dakota Board of Education Standards, providing a roadmap for local districts as they design their day-to-day curricula and select textbooks, ensuring consistent educational quality across the state.

The Standards Review Cycle

To ensure standards remain current, South Dakota utilizes a multi-year review cycle. Every seven years, committees of teachers, higher education faculty, parents, and industry experts review and update the standards for each subject area (e.g., math, science, social studies, fine arts). The review process includes multiple rounds of public hearings and opportunities for public comment before the board approves the final standards.

State Graduation Requirements

To earn a high school diploma in South Dakota, students must earn a minimum of 22 credits. The standard graduation requirements include:

• English: 4 credits (composition, literature).
• Mathematics: 3 credits (including Algebra I).
• Science: 3 credits (including biology and physical science).
• Social Studies: 3 credits (US history, government, and world history/geography).
• Personal Finance/Economics: 0.5 credits.
• Physical Education/Health: 0.5 credits.
• Fine Arts: 1 credit.

Key Content Areas and Frameworks

Each subject area standard is supported by instructional frameworks and resources provided by the SD DOE. For example, the state's science standards are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), emphasizing hands-on inquiry and engineering design. The math standards focus on conceptual understanding and real-world problem-solving skills, preparing students for postsecondary success.

Standards vs. Local Curricula

It is important to distinguish between state standards and local curricula. The state sets the *standards* (what students should know), but local school boards and educators retain complete control over the *curriculum* (how the material is taught, what textbooks are used, and daily lesson plans). This system balances statewide educational goals with local community values.