The total # of students in SD does not take into account the 10,536 Alternative Instruction students for 2023 (I double-checked). I would just like to point out that those parents are saving the state $116,106,720. (not exactly, because some of those per student costs are for things like administration & buildings, and of course the cost doesn't go up if you add a few more kids to each class/school - unless of course, then you have to build or hire more teachers).
However, it is important to remember that subset of students, because it reminds us that
1) we as citizens could be paying even more for education
(and maybe we are paying too much if the state is collecting enough money to cover those kids, and then it doesn't have too...hmmm)
2) it really does NOT take that much money to educate a student per year!
These parents (of which I am one) are often single-income families, and unless they are utilizing online classes (with live teachers) they are likely not even paying $2K per kid. (online classes are appx $600-700/yr for one subject). Quality curriculum just doesn't cost that much. (and guess what, every kid does NOT need a Chromebook in order to learn!)
With the current investigation into HB1009 and HB1020, I remembered your article! Thanks for sharing the handy chart with the 2024 General Fund Expenditures...and for this article about the Education Budget in general. I'd love to see an update in regards to ESAs!
Perhaps schools should use passing this 8th grade test from 1912 as a very achievable benchmark. For the teachers and administrators as well as the students.
South Dakota Voices Comment: NgSailor, thank you for joining the conversation again. Would you be so kind as to explain you concerns in more detail. The post is about investment vs. performance.
Email comment from NS: "Please do better than saying it's too expensive. Start a lottery, Tax the rich, do a head tax."
When the Federal Government is no longer involved in education I believe the states will have a much higher chance of being able to implement the best policies for our kids.
South Dakota Voices Response: Thank you for joining us again. We use Substack as our writing platform. Substack is located in San Francisco, CA. Unfortunately, they put their address on everything. We would be delighted to use an South Dakota writing platform, but haven't been able to find anything equivalent here.
Email comment from TG: "I've asked before and I'm asking again and EXPECT an answer...Why is this SD news, coming to us from California????"
"Perhaps the problem is we believed that education professors at Harvard University, Stanford University, etc. have a better idea of what is necessary for an education than working taxpayers do."
Great article! And just a historical footnote on sharing John Harvard's original focus here...John Harvard, a Cambridge educated minister immigrant from UK ( who died of tuberculosis not long after arriving here) donated his many Christian books to Harvard with the idea of advancing the Christian faith. Harvard's original motto was “Truth for Christ and the Church.”
I think we're going to get back there, to that better, more original idea of the purpose of education - and, as the homeschool & Christian school movement is demonstrating and exploding around us, many have lost confidence in the current system ( for a variety of reasons) and will show us the Way Back Home.
Quite a few of the prestigious universities were founded for similar reasons, as were many public schools early on. Literacy was desired so everyone could read the Bible for themselves. Have you heard of the Old Deluder Satan Act (in Massachusetts)?
Perhaps we need to spend the money we have on teachers and curriculae instead of giving 6 figures and SUV's to administrators.
That would be a great start.
The total # of students in SD does not take into account the 10,536 Alternative Instruction students for 2023 (I double-checked). I would just like to point out that those parents are saving the state $116,106,720. (not exactly, because some of those per student costs are for things like administration & buildings, and of course the cost doesn't go up if you add a few more kids to each class/school - unless of course, then you have to build or hire more teachers).
However, it is important to remember that subset of students, because it reminds us that
1) we as citizens could be paying even more for education
(and maybe we are paying too much if the state is collecting enough money to cover those kids, and then it doesn't have too...hmmm)
2) it really does NOT take that much money to educate a student per year!
These parents (of which I am one) are often single-income families, and unless they are utilizing online classes (with live teachers) they are likely not even paying $2K per kid. (online classes are appx $600-700/yr for one subject). Quality curriculum just doesn't cost that much. (and guess what, every kid does NOT need a Chromebook in order to learn!)
The information about the alternative instruction is very helpful. Could you please provide us with a link?
2023 enrollment data is at: https://doe.sd.gov/ofm/documents/23-AltInsEnrollment.xlsx
If you were thinking of a link to curriculum or classes let me know, and I can provide a couple.
With the current investigation into HB1009 and HB1020, I remembered your article! Thanks for sharing the handy chart with the 2024 General Fund Expenditures...and for this article about the Education Budget in general. I'd love to see an update in regards to ESAs!
Thank you for the suggestion.
Wow - 38% of SD $ spent on Health, Human, and Social Services?
Perhaps schools should use passing this 8th grade test from 1912 as a very achievable benchmark. For the teachers and administrators as well as the students.
https://www.bullittcountyhistory.com/bchistory/schoolexam1912.html
South Dakota Voices Comment: NgSailor, thank you for joining the conversation again. Would you be so kind as to explain you concerns in more detail. The post is about investment vs. performance.
Email comment from NS: "Please do better than saying it's too expensive. Start a lottery, Tax the rich, do a head tax."
When the Federal Government is no longer involved in education I believe the states will have a much higher chance of being able to implement the best policies for our kids.
South Dakota Voices Response: Thank you for joining us again. We use Substack as our writing platform. Substack is located in San Francisco, CA. Unfortunately, they put their address on everything. We would be delighted to use an South Dakota writing platform, but haven't been able to find anything equivalent here.
Email comment from TG: "I've asked before and I'm asking again and EXPECT an answer...Why is this SD news, coming to us from California????"
As long as our teacher are trained in these liberal colleges that they get indoctrinated in we will have failing education outcomes.
"Perhaps the problem is we believed that education professors at Harvard University, Stanford University, etc. have a better idea of what is necessary for an education than working taxpayers do."
Great article! And just a historical footnote on sharing John Harvard's original focus here...John Harvard, a Cambridge educated minister immigrant from UK ( who died of tuberculosis not long after arriving here) donated his many Christian books to Harvard with the idea of advancing the Christian faith. Harvard's original motto was “Truth for Christ and the Church.”
I think we're going to get back there, to that better, more original idea of the purpose of education - and, as the homeschool & Christian school movement is demonstrating and exploding around us, many have lost confidence in the current system ( for a variety of reasons) and will show us the Way Back Home.
Interesting. I had no idea about the early days of Harvard.
Quite a few of the prestigious universities were founded for similar reasons, as were many public schools early on. Literacy was desired so everyone could read the Bible for themselves. Have you heard of the Old Deluder Satan Act (in Massachusetts)?
I have not heard about the Old Deluder Satan Act. Could you provide a link?
I believe this is the primary source (if you search for "Satan" you will find the classic line) -
https://wallbuilders.com/resource/speech-house-of-representatives-1881/
A shorter version of the primary source: https://www.mass.gov/doc/old-deluder-satan-law/download
Here is an article: https://www.paulreverehouse.org/that-old-deluder-satan-puritan-emphasis-on-compulsory-education/
Honestly, I've heard it referenced in a variety of sources over the years, so I had to go find something to share...so I'm glad you asked.