In response to the recent publicity regarding the low scores achieved by South
Dakota students on the Writing Assessment, SDEA and South Dakota Magazine
are sponsoring a panel discussion to find ways to deal with the problem.
The South Dakota Council of Teachers of English encourages all language arts
teachers to attend and voice their opinions and concerns.
The panel
discussion will be held 2:00-3:30 p.m., Thursday, May 27, at the Humanities
Center (Room 121) at Augustana College. The theme of the discussion is,
"Writing for the Future: Improving Communication Skills in Our
Schools." It will be the opening session of the Augustana College
Center for Western Studies Conference.
Robert Stevens,
associate executive director of SDEA, welcomes suggestions from SDCTE members
for questions and topics that the panel should address. He would also
appreciate any further publicity for the event that SDCTE members can offer.
"This is an important issue in South Dakota education, and we need all the
wisdom and guidance we can get."
Those who wish to
send in questions or topics for discussion can send them to: South Dakota
Education Association/NEA, 411 East Capitol, Pierre SD 5750 I. The phone
number and fax number for SDEA are (605) 224-9263 and (605) 224-5810.