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Spearfish reports rising proficiency, ACT scores and joins state literacy initiative
Summary
Curriculum presenter Lana Main told the board the district’s proficiency rates for ELA, math and science have trended upward, Spearfish High School’s ACT average was reported at 22.5, and the district will participate in a three‑year literacy initiative with the South Dakota Department of Education and Black Hills State University.
At the Nov. 10 meeting of the Spearfish School District 40‑2 Board of Education, curriculum presenter Lana Main reviewed the district report card and several district initiatives.
Main said the district has seen year‑over‑year gains in proficiency across tested subjects. She reported a 4‑point jump in ELA proficiency this year and noted that Spearfish High School’s average ACT score was 22.5 last year, which she described as roughly three points higher than the national average. “Our students do very well on the ACT,” she said, and noted a relatively high participation rate (typically in the high 50s to 60 percent of juniors).
Main explained how on‑time graduation (four‑year graduates) and high school completion are calculated and cautioned that students served on individualized education programs (IEPs) through age 21 can affect the on‑time metric. She said the district’s on‑time graduation and completion rates are above state averages.
On assessments, Main reminded the board that the ACT will serve as South Dakota’s high school assessment this coming year; the state will use the writing portion for juniors even though writing is optional on the ACT generally. She also described attendance metrics used on the report card: students present at least 90 percent of the time count toward the attendance rate; missing 10 percent or more of school is considered chronically absent, and chronic absenteeism is a district strategic focus.
Main described professional development priorities, including professional learning communities and a newly implemented paraprofessional PD calendar with topic‑based sessions and a Feb. 13 breakout day. She said the district is participating in a three‑year literacy initiative funded by the South Dakota Department of Education and partnered with Black Hills State University to tailor the program to district needs; the rollout is planned for spring with ongoing professional development and classroom support.
Main closed with the district’s plan for a math curriculum study and needs assessment; staff expect to pilot materials and make a formal adoption decision in early 2027 with implementation targeted for the 2027–28 school year.
Next steps: the board asked no action tonight on curriculum items; Main and staff will continue the needs‑assessment and professional development work and return with recommendations as pilots and data become available.
