South Dakota House Bill HB1152

South Dakota 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/27/26
• Refer: 1/27/26

Caption

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.

Impact

Upon approval from the U.S. Department of Education, the Secretary will be tasked with developing and implementing an assessment model that meets various conditions stipulated in the bill. These include the need to accurately measure student growth in reading and mathematics, as well as aligning with evidence-based literacy practices founded upon the science of reading. The bill emphasizes the importance of focusing on the mastery of foundational mathematics skills and seeks to update state educational assessments in line with contemporary educational theories and practices.

Summary

House Bill 1152, introduced by Representative Greenfield, mandates that the Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Education apply to the United States Department of Education for authorization to develop and implement an innovative assessment system. This bill is aimed at aligning state assessment processes with federal requirements, particularly those set forth in the updated provisions of 20 U.S.C. § 6364 as of January 1, 2026. The overarching intention of this bill is to enhance the quality of education accountability and assessment within the state, particularly in the core areas of reading and mathematics.

Contention

While the bill is largely seen as a step towards modernizing the educational assessment framework in South Dakota, some concerns may arise regarding its implementation. Issues could include the appropriateness of the assessment models developed, their effectiveness in measuring student growth accurately, and the potential financial implications of transitioning to a new system. Moreover, discussions may surface around the role of various stakeholders—such as school administrators, teachers, parents, and education experts—in the development phase, which is crucial for ensuring a holistic and widely accepted implementation of the innovative assessment system.