Madison Central School Board Opposes New Proposed South Dakota Social Studies Standards

The Madison Central School board on Monday joined a number of school boards from across the state, in opposing the current set of proposed South Dakota Social Studies Standards. The proposed new standards were released in August, and were created by a commission formed by the Governor’s office that included just two educators. A previous group, composed mostly of educators, had formed a new set of Social Studies Standards, but the work of that group was replaced by the new commission. 

Madison School Superintendent Joel Jorgenson says the formation and work of the new commission was very unusual. 

Elementary principal Janel Guse says the proposed standards rely heavily on memorization with less focus on teaching. 

Guse says there’s a lot missing in the new standards as well.

Middle School principal Cotton Koch said he’s concerned about the religious and philosophy standards proposed for 6th grade, and that they are not age appropriate. 

The resolution passed by the School Board reads in part, that “the Madison Central School Board respectfully ask the State Board of Education Standards request the Department of Education reconvene the Social Studies workgroup from 2021, with instructions for the workgroup to revise their draft with consideration of the Social Studies Content Standards Commission’s proposal.”

The Board of Education Standards will meet on Monday, April 17th, to consider the proposed new Standards.