South Dakota Digital Learning Landscape
| State virtual school? | NO |
| Multi-district fully online schools? | NO |
| Online learning requirement for graduation? | NO |
| State approval process for online providers? | YES |
| State approval process for online courses? | YES |
The South Dakota Center for Virtual Education (SDCVE) (formerly known as the South Dakota Virtual School), a consortium of approved distance education providers managed from within the South Dakota Department of Education (SDDOE), is the main online learning option for students, along with some district activity. There is no state virtual school and no multi-district fully online schools.
The SDCVE acts as an online course clearinghouse. Courses are available online or through the Dakota Digital Network video conferencing. Providers set course fees and are paid directly by school districts, which have the right to refuse students’ requests for an online course. The SDDOE approves distance learning providers and their courses for inclusion in the SDCVE. Each of the four certified providers - Black Hills Online Learning Community, Dakota Interactive Academic Link (DIAL), the E-Learning Center, High Plains Alternative School - is required to report on the types of courses offered, the number and names of districts served, the number of course registrations, completion rates, and other information. The provider certification only applies to programs originating from outside the school district being served. Districts enter an agreement to use SDCVE courses.
District programs include:
Rapid City Area Schools (RCAS) launched an online learning pilot program for the 2021-22 SY using district teachers for grades K-5, Black Hills Online Learning teachers for middle school grades, and Rapid City teachers for high school students.
Harrisburg Virtual Learning Academy provides a full-time option for district students in grades K-12.
State Policies
No major legislation impacting online and/or blended learning was passed January through August 2022.
The South Dakota Virtual School (SDVS) was created by HB1236 (2006) and subsequent laws restricted districts from putting a grade on a student transcript unless the course is offered through the SDVS. However, SB182 (2014) allows school districts to grant credit for a distance learning courses offered through an entity other than SDVS if a course is provided through an agreement through accredited school districts; the course is a university or postsecondary technical institute course taken by a student who is dually enrolled; the course was previously taken through an accredited high school or other accredited provider by a student who subsequently transferred into the school district; or the course is not available through the SDVS.