Priorities of the Coalition

The South Dakota Education Equity Coalition (SDEEC) has identified the following 5 Priority Areas of current focus. The priority areas have been identified based on community needs, member initiatives, and current projects in South Dakota. We welcome parents/guardians, educators, practitioners, advocates and community members to join us in this work.

Priority 1

Explore school choice options that embody the cultural and academic needs of Native American Students in South Dakota.

Priority 2

Promote Indigenous education issues and educate policy makers, local leaders and community on those issues as they relate to education equity.

Priority 3

Statewide Title VI Indian Education Program compliance.

Priority 4

Support SD Office of Indian Education in advocating for the needs of Indigenous students as expressed by Oceti Sakowin students, families, and education practitioners.

Priority 5

Encourage, support and empower Title VI Parent Advisory Committees (PACs) and parents in their educational advocacy efforts on behalf of their children.

The State of Indigenous Education in South Dakota

AT A GLANCE: GRADUATION

Concrete data from across the state exemplifies the failures of the South Dakota Education system for Indigenous students.

0.90%

White Students

0.45%

Indigenous Students

90% of White Students in South Dakota graduate on time.
That number is halved for Indigenous Students.

Here’s the breakdown.

Sioux Falls

With one of the largest districts in SD, Sioux Falls schools vary in Title I status. In terms of proficiency data, the South Dakota Department of Education’s report card shows that 22% of Native Students are proficient in ELA and just 15% are proficient in Math.

English Language Arts Proficiency

All Students 55%

American Indian 22%

Math Proficiency

All Students 45%

American Indian 15%

As of the 2020-2021 school year, the high minority, high poverty schools in the Sioux Falls District were failing in multiple teacher qualification standards.

Lyman School District

As a district whose student population is just under 50% Native, all schools in Lyman School District are a mix of high-poverty and Title I status. In terms of proficiency data, the South Dakota Department of Education’s report card shows that only 51% of Native Students are proficient in ELA and while only 47% are proficient in math.

English Language Arts Proficiency

All Students 58%

American Indian 51%

Math Proficiency

All Students 47%

American Indian 34%

As of the 2020-2021 school year, two schools are listed as high-poverty and three are listed as high-minority.

Rapid City

With one of the largest districts in SD, Rapid City schools vary in Title I status. In terms of proficiency data, the South Dakota Department of Education’s report card shows that 23% of Native Students are proficient in ELA and just 15% are proficient in Math.

District Graduation Rates

All Students 77%

American Indian 41%

This district averages a 77% graduation rate for all students.
That number is only 41% for Native students.

THE IMPORTANCE OF CHOICE

A community-based initiative to support Native students through the creation of schools grounded in the cultural and academic needs of the students it serves.

Sources

State Report Card 2018-2019. South Dakota Department of Education. (n.d.). Retrieved July 26, 2022
Bureau of Indian Education | Annual Report Cards. Bureau of Indian Education. (n.d.). Retrieved July 26, 2022