Today we got a look at the 2009 report card for South Dakota schools as required under No Child Left Behind. Tonight we break down some of the results.

The good news is, 94% of South Dakota's public school districts made adequate yearly progress as required under No Child Left Behind. When it comes to student proficiency in subjects, South Dakota typically does well. This year, 75% of students scored proficient or advanced in math. But that's actually down slightly from 76% last year.
Mary Stadick Smith with the South Dakota Department of Education says, "Under No Child Left Behind, the goal is 100% proficiency, which is a lofty goal, a great goal, but as you get to those higher levels of proficiency, it's going to be harder and harder to reach that 100%." In the Sioux Falls district, both high school and middle schoolers exceeded the state's goals in math.

Graduation rates across the state, and in the Sioux Falls district were also up, especially among Native American students and those who are economically disadvantaged. But 14 of the 33 schools in the Sioux Falls School District made the government's progress benchmark. That's down from 21 schools last year. Stadick Smith says, "
"When you have a larger and really more diverse school district or school, then your held accountable in more areas." As a result, Stadick Smith says bigger and more diverse districts can have a tougher row to hoe when it comes to No Child Left Behind standards.

© 2009 KSFY Action News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.