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Bill

Bill

HB 1152

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.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Heather Baxter and 14 co-sponsors

South Dakota seeks federal approval to develop an alternative student assessment system, but the bill was withdrawn after initial passage, suggesting reconsideration of implementation feasibility.

Withdrawn at the Request of the Prime Sponsor , Passed, H.J. 163
#education #uncodifiedacts
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Bill Summary · HB 1152

Legislative bill overview

HB 1152 directs South Dakota's Secretary of Education to apply for federal authorization to develop and implement an alternative assessment system, presumably to replace or supplement existing standardized testing frameworks. The bill was withdrawn by its prime sponsor on January 28, 2026, after initial passage, indicating changed circumstances or political recalculation.

Why is this important

Assessment systems directly affect how student learning is measured, which influences school funding, teacher evaluations, and college/career readiness determinations. Federal approval requirements mean states must work within ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) parameters, making this a significant education policy decision affecting thousands of students and schools across South Dakota.

Potential points of contention

  • Federal flexibility constraints: Innovative assessments still require ESSA compliance, potentially limiting how "innovative" the system can actually be
  • Transition costs and disruption: Implementing a new assessment system requires substantial investment in teacher training, technology infrastructure, and data systems
  • Comparison and accountability concerns: Moving away from nationally-normed tests makes it harder to compare student performance across states or districts, raising questions about transparency and accountability

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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