South Dakota
U.S.
Rank
- Opportunity
- Innovation
- Policy Environment
Score:
50%
Grade:
F
Rank:
#NA
There is no charter law in this state.
Score:
Grade:
D
Rank:
#28
The state’s education tax-credit program is one of the tiniest in the country. It’s a nice benefit, but doesn’t really address the needs of parents across the state.
Law enacted: 2016
Number of programs: 1
Statewide Participation: 720
Types of programs: Tax Credit Scholarship
Tax-Credit Scholarship
Partners in Education Tax Credit Program
Prior to March 2021, only students who had previously been in a public school were allowed to receive scholarships to attend private schools. The amended law now allows all students to participate, but the program is so tiny that with a $2 million budget only 720 students can benefit. Launched in 2016, and the program secures those tax credits of up to 100% to insurance companies that donate to nonprofit scholarship granting organizations. Students are eligible if their family income does not exceed 150% of the federal free and reduced lunch program. The program has a scholarship cap of 82.5% of state per-pupil funding.
Score:
Grade:
D
Rank:
#43
Lacking rigorous elementary and secondary teacher preparation programs; tenure decisions not tied to teacher effectiveness and student growth
TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT: 60%
General Teacher Preparation 58%
Elementary Teacher Preparation 60%
Secondary Teacher Preparation 55%
Special Education Teacher Preparation 55%
Alternate Routes 70%
STAFFING AND SUPPORT: 71%
Hiring 80%
Retaining Effective Teachers 61%
TEACHER EVALUATION: 66%
TEACHER COMPENSATION: 65%
Score:
50%
Grade:
F
Rank:
#NA
There is no charter law in this state.
Score:
Grade:
D
Rank:
#28
The state’s education tax-credit program is one of the tiniest in the country. It’s a nice benefit, but doesn’t really address the needs of parents across the state.
Law enacted: 2016
Number of programs: 1
Statewide Participation: 720
Types of programs: Tax Credit Scholarship
Tax-Credit Scholarship
Partners in Education Tax Credit Program
Prior to March 2021, only students who had previously been in a public school were allowed to receive scholarships to attend private schools. The amended law now allows all students to participate, but the program is so tiny that with a $2 million budget only 720 students can benefit. Launched in 2016, and the program secures those tax credits of up to 100% to insurance companies that donate to nonprofit scholarship granting organizations. Students are eligible if their family income does not exceed 150% of the federal free and reduced lunch program. The program has a scholarship cap of 82.5% of state per-pupil funding.
Score:
Grade:
D
Rank:
#43
Lacking rigorous elementary and secondary teacher preparation programs; tenure decisions not tied to teacher effectiveness and student growth
TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT: 60%
General Teacher Preparation 58%
Elementary Teacher Preparation 60%
Secondary Teacher Preparation 55%
Special Education Teacher Preparation 55%
Alternate Routes 70%
STAFFING AND SUPPORT: 71%
Hiring 80%
Retaining Effective Teachers 61%
TEACHER EVALUATION: 66%
TEACHER COMPENSATION: 65%
Score:
Grade:
D
Rank:
#39
South Dakota’s Tools for Teachers website launched in the 2020-2021 school year, providing educators access to high-quality digital tools and resources and professional development.
South Dakota Virtual School is open for all middle and high school residents in the state to enroll for courses through their home district. Course offerings include credit recovery, career and technical education, world languages, and dual credit.
South Dakota’s Sioux Falls School District is a member of the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools, a network of school leaders in 114 districts in 34 states that aim to enhance and scale digital learning opportunities for students across the nation. Sioux Falls provides more than 24,000 students digital learning opportunities. It was also one of the first to reopen schools after Covid.
Bandwidth: “100% of students in South Dakota can access the Internet at speeds of 100 kbps per student, and many students are connected at higher speeds.”
While there is no statewide effort, many districts are doing exciting things for personalized learning. The Harrisburg School District has implemented competency-based, personalized learning in multiple schools and continues to expand. The school district’s transformation to personalized learning has made them a role model for districts around the country; they’ve had over 2,000 people across 10 states visit and learn about their implementation. Additionally schools in McCook Central School District are making efforts to transition to more personalized learning.
More information can be found on page 4 here.

March 13, Gov. Noem recommended schools close temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and April 6 recommended they remain closed and online learning continue for the duration of the school year South Dakota did not work to ensure students could continue learning and schools could continue teaching effectively in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. Districts were encouraged to “continue assisting their communities” with meals, provide learning online for those with internet access or in paper packets, and there were some resources and information on their website.
The state has published detailed reopening guidelines and information for the 2020-21 school year online.
The state department of education advises schools have a plan for all remote learning in case schools must close again, but recommendations are for at least some in-person instruction. Districts have flexibility to decide how and when to begin in-person instruction, with input from local health officials.
Fast Facts
4th Grade Math Proficiency:
8th Grade Math Proficiency:
12th Grade Math Proficiency:
4th Grade Reading Proficiency:
8th Grade Reading Proficiency:
12th Grade Reading Proficiency:
Graduation Rate:
Average SAT Score:
Average ACT Score:
Public School Enrollment:
Percent Enrolled in Charter Schools:
Average Student Funding:
Score:
Grade:
D
Rank:
#39
South Dakota’s Tools for Teachers website launched in the 2020-2021 school year, providing educators access to high-quality digital tools and resources and professional development.
South Dakota Virtual School is open for all middle and high school residents in the state to enroll for courses through their home district. Course offerings include credit recovery, career and technical education, world languages, and dual credit.
South Dakota’s Sioux Falls School District is a member of the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools, a network of school leaders in 114 districts in 34 states that aim to enhance and scale digital learning opportunities for students across the nation. Sioux Falls provides more than 24,000 students digital learning opportunities. It was also one of the first to reopen schools after Covid.
Bandwidth: “100% of students in South Dakota can access the Internet at speeds of 100 kbps per student, and many students are connected at higher speeds.”
While there is no statewide effort, many districts are doing exciting things for personalized learning. The Harrisburg School District has implemented competency-based, personalized learning in multiple schools and continues to expand. The school district’s transformation to personalized learning has made them a role model for districts around the country; they’ve had over 2,000 people across 10 states visit and learn about their implementation. Additionally schools in McCook Central School District are making efforts to transition to more personalized learning.
More information can be found on page 4 here.

March 13, Gov. Noem recommended schools close temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and April 6 recommended they remain closed and online learning continue for the duration of the school year South Dakota did not work to ensure students could continue learning and schools could continue teaching effectively in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. Districts were encouraged to “continue assisting their communities” with meals, provide learning online for those with internet access or in paper packets, and there were some resources and information on their website.
The state has published detailed reopening guidelines and information for the 2020-21 school year online.
The state department of education advises schools have a plan for all remote learning in case schools must close again, but recommendations are for at least some in-person instruction. Districts have flexibility to decide how and when to begin in-person instruction, with input from local health officials.
4th Grade Math Proficiency:
8th Grade Math Proficiency:
12th Grade Math Proficiency:
4th Grade Reading Proficiency:
8th Grade Reading Proficiency:
12th Grade Reading Proficiency:
Graduation Rate:
Average SAT Score:
Average ACT Score:
Public School Enrollment:
Percent Enrolled in Charter Schools:
Average Student Funding:

Kristi Noem (R)
First term began in 2019 (two-term limit)
Governor Kristi Noem took office in 2018 and has modestly expanded the scholarship tax program twice since then. She vowed to “protect the rights of parents to choose the educational path that’s best for their child, whether it’s homeschooling, public schooling or a private education.”. However, as the state’s grade demonstrates, she still has a long way to go.
The House and Senate have not been bold challengers of the status quo despite a supportive governor. There have been two expansions in 2019 and 2021 of the state’s only choice program — a small scholarship tax credit bill that incentivizes contributions to the state’s scholarship program. In 2020, a Native American charter school bill got a couple of hearings in the Senate and support from Gov. Noem, but stalled. It will take bold leadership to bring expanded educational opportunities to all families.

South Dakota has a Blaine Amendment, and the South Dakota Supreme Court has interpreted it restrictively. “That Court has explicitly rejected the distinction between aiding students and aiding the schools they choose to attend.” (Institute for Justice)

School report cards are immediately apparent on the homepage of South Dakota’s DOE website. Report cards give an overall district/school score, and data covers academics and school quality, giving parents a complete picture of their school’s strength and challenges that need to be addressed.
School Board Elections are not held during the General Election Cycle, which usually means lower voter turnout.

Kristi Noem (R)
First term began in 2019 (two-term limit)
Governor Kristi Noem took office in 2018 and has modestly expanded the scholarship tax program twice since then. She vowed to “protect the rights of parents to choose the educational path that’s best for their child, whether it’s homeschooling, public schooling or a private education.”. However, as the state’s grade demonstrates, she still has a long way to go.
The House and Senate have not been bold challengers of the status quo despite a supportive governor. There have been two expansions in 2019 and 2021 of the state’s only choice program — a small scholarship tax credit bill that incentivizes contributions to the state’s scholarship program. In 2020, a Native American charter school bill got a couple of hearings in the Senate and support from Gov. Noem, but stalled. It will take bold leadership to bring expanded educational opportunities to all families.

South Dakota has a Blaine Amendment, and the South Dakota Supreme Court has interpreted it restrictively. “That Court has explicitly rejected the distinction between aiding students and aiding the schools they choose to attend.” (Institute for Justice)

School report cards are immediately apparent on the homepage of South Dakota’s DOE website. Report cards give an overall district/school score, and data covers academics and school quality, giving parents a complete picture of their school’s strength and challenges that need to be addressed.
School Board Elections are not held during the General Election Cycle, which usually means lower voter turnout.