South Dakota: ELL Resources

As of the 2016-2017 school year, South Dakota’s schools were home to a little over 4,500 English language learners. As of the 2014-2015 school year, the most common five languages spoken by ELLs in South Dakota were Spanish, German, Karen languages, Nepali, and Siouan languages. (U.S. Dept. of Education, National Center for Education Statistics)
South Dakota is a member of WIDA (World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment), joining in 2008. WIDA is a consortium of states dedicated to the design and implementation of high standards and equitable educational opportunities for English language learners which offers states programming for identifying and annually assessing the English language development of its English learners.
State ELL Resources
State Agency: South Dakota Department of Education
ELL Website: Title III - English Language Acquisition
ELP Standards & Assessment
ELP Standards: WIDA English Language Proficiency Standards
ELP Assessment: WIDA-ACCESS for ELLs
Statewide Standards-Based Assessment
Assessment: Office of Assessment
Additional Information
NCELA: Title III Information
WIDA: South Dakota Contact Information
Common Core State Standards: Yes
ESSA: South Dakota ESSA State Plan
Statewide Organizations
Dakota TESOL provides support, advocacy, and professional development opportunities for those in the Dakotas and surrounding states who work with English as a second language students or English language learners.
South Dakota Education Association
South Dakota Education Association is a National Education Association State Affiliate that regularly lobbies legislators for the resources schools need, campaigns for higher professional standards for the teaching profession, and files legal actions to protect academic freedom and the rights of school employees.
South Dakota Parent Connection
South Dakota Parent Connection connects families caring for children/youth (ages birth to 26) with the full range of disabilities or special health care needs to information, training and resources in an environment of support, hope and respect
Seal of Biliteracy Update: South Dakota
South Dakota does not yet have a Seal of Biliteracy. The Seal of Biliteracy is an award given by a school, district, or state in recognition of students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation. If you are aware of schools or districts that have adopted the Seal of Biliteracy in the state, send an update to the official Seal of Biliteracy site!
Research and Reports
Note: Regulations change with time. These guidelines were compiled in January of 2012 and updated in January 2020. If you see something that needs updating, please send an e-mail to Colorín Colorado. For more detailed information regarding ELL guidelines and policies at the state and federal levels, please see the following:
References
National Center for Education Statistics. (2018.) English language learner (ELL) students enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools, by state: Selected years, fall 2000 through fall 2016.
U.S. Department of Education. Our Nation’s English Learners. Most Common Non-English Languages Spoken by English Learners.