Department of Education and Cultural Affairs
For release: August 28, 2002
Contact: Nicole Kranzler, 773-3426

New state history education Web site receives regional recognition

PIERRE – An innovative new Web site developed by the state Department of Education and Cultural Affairs has received regional recognition.

The site, http://www.sd4history.com, received the 2002 Council of State Governments Innovations Award by the Midwestern Legislative Conference in August in Fargo, N.D. Entitled “The Weekly South Dakotan,” the site was a project of DECA’s Office of Technical Assistance, Office of Technology and the South Dakota State Historical Society, a division of the department.

“The Weekly South Dakotan,” or www.sd4history.com, is the first online state history text and curriculum. State Historical Society staff, working with a panel of advisors including teachers and historians from across the state, developed age-appropriate historical content, worksheets, classroom activities and reading lists. The DECA technology offices designed the Web site.

“For the first time, www.sd4history.com gives teachers and students a South Dakota history text that meets the state’s education standards,” said Ray Christensen, DECA secretary.

The site, introduced by Gov. Bill Janklow at a February press conference, is designed for the fourth-grade level, but can be used by teachers and students at any grade level, Christensen said.

“The Weekly South Dakotan” has nine different units, ranging from the first people to live in what is now South Dakota to memorable people and happenings of the 20^th century.

The site was one of 10 finalists in Fargo, and one of two selected for the Innovations Award. Each of the four legislative conferences selects two Innovation Award winners, which will be featured in a future issue of the Council of State Governments magazine and recognized at its national meeting later this year in Virginia.

The Midwestern Legislative Conference includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin, with Ontario and Saskatchewan, Canada, being affiliate members.

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