U.S. economy adds 236,000 jobs in March, unemployment rate falls to 3.5{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

U.S. economy adds 236,000 jobs in March, unemployment rate falls to 3.5{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

The March employment report showed employing slowed past month but probably not by ample to simplicity stress on the Federal Reserve to elevate curiosity costs in its initiatives to gradual inflation.

The U.S. economic climate additional 236,000 employment in March while the unemployment amount fell to 3.5{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}, info from the Bureau of Labor Studies launched Friday confirmed.

Right here are the key figures from the report, in comparison to final month’s revised figures:

  • Nonfarm payrolls: +236,000 vs. +326,000

  • Unemployment charge: 3.5{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502} vs. 3.6{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

  • Regular hourly earnings, thirty day period-more than-month: +.3{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502} vs. +.2{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

  • Normal hourly earnings, calendar year-above-year: +4.2{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502} vs. +4.6{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

By business, leisure and hospitality was once again the largest contributor to previous month’s occupation gains with 72,000 new staff coming into the sector all through March. Non permanent assistance services was the 2nd-major contributor to task growth past month with 65,000 workers signing up for the sector.

The labor force participation price also ticked better in March, climbing to 62.6{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502} from 62.5{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502} in February. Ordinary weekly several hours worked fell a bit to 34.4 from 34.5.

In excess of the very last 6 months the U.S. financial system has additional an typical of 334,000 jobs each and every thirty day period.

Subsequent Friday’s release, marketplaces are now pricing in a 67{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502} prospect the Federal Reserve raises costs by a different .25{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502} in Might, up from 50/50 odds of a hike on Thursday forward of the quantities, according to info from the CME Group.

Forecasts from the central lender introduced final thirty day period prompt a single extra .25{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502} amount maximize was probably this year.

Still, economists see March’s positions data as commencing a interval of slower development for the U.S. labor market place that will ultimately consequence in a increase in the unemployment rate.

“The 236,000 gain in non-farm payrolls in March adds to the evidence that the economy’s strong start off to the 12 months was partly a weather-linked blip, with momentum now fading once more,” wrote Andrew Hunter, deputy chief U.S. economist at Capital Economics, in a be aware on Friday.

“With the sharp fall in occupation openings and upward pattern in jobless claims also pointing to a cooling in labour demand, and the drag from the new banking turmoil even now to feed by means of, we anticipate work development to gradual a lot more sharply quickly.”

The Fed expects unemployment to rise to 4.5{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502} by the conclude of this year.

U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell attends a press conference in Washington, D.C., the United States, on March 22, 2023. The Fed raised interest rates by 25 basis points at the conclusion of its two-day meeting on Wednesday, lifting the target range of the federal funds rate to 4.75-5 percent. (Photo by Liu Jie/Xinhua via Getty Images)

U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell attends a push convention in Washington, D.C., the United States, on March 22, 2023. (Picture by Liu Jie/Xinhua through Getty Photos)

Earlier this 7 days, knowledge on first jobless claims out Thursday and non-public payroll data from ADP out Wednesday recommended the labor market place is cooling.

A slowdown in wage progress — from 4.6{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502} above the prior calendar year in February to 4.2{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502} in March — served as one more indicator in Friday’s report some labor industry pressures are easing.

First statements are seen as the most effective real-time indicator of pressure in the labor current market this evaluate has revealed some symptoms of rising in the previous couple months, with statements totaling 228,000 past 7 days. ADP’s report out Wednesday early morning confirmed there had been 145,000 careers extra to the personal sector previous month, below anticipations.

Additionally, task openings details for February showed open roles in the economic system continue to fall, a different opportunity sign the labor industry is slowing. February marked the first time due to the fact June 2021 there had been fewer than 10 million work opportunities open up as of the conclusion of the thirty day period.

“Irrespective of weakening in work readings in the run-up to the non-farm work report, employment expansion has not nevertheless collapsed even though there are obvious indications of continued moderation,” wrote Nationwide chief economist Kathy Bostjancic in a be aware on Friday.

“In all the Federal Reserve will be happy by the specifics of the work report, but nonetheless is supportive of one more amount hike in May well — which we consider could be the final for the tightening cycle. Followed by a prolonged pause.”

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Stocks gain, 10-year yield falls back below 4{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

Stocks gain, 10-year yield falls back below 4{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}

U.S. stocks rallied on Friday, rounding out a significant conclusion to the week, even though bond yields retreated marginally from their new march.

At the near, the S&P 500 (^GSPC) surged 1.6{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}, though the Dow Jones Industrial Normal (^DJI) enhanced 1.1{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}. Contracts on the technological innovation-major Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) jumped approximately 2{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}.

The generate on the benchmark 10-12 months U.S. Treasury be aware (^TNX) moved back and forth all-around the essential 4{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502} amount Friday, finally settling below the line, right after services data showed economic exercise expanded in February.

Crude oil traded bigger, with U.S. benchmark WTI (CL=F) up at $79.71 a barrel.

On the economic details aspect, financial exercise in the expert services sector grew in February for the 2nd consecutive thirty day period as the ISM Solutions PMI arrived in at 55.1, a bit reduced from 55.2 recorded in January and above economist expectations of 54.5.

February’s ISM Companies figures “indicates action proceeds to broaden at a moderately healthful rate, but gives even further purpose to doubt the thought that there has been a resurgence in advancement considering the fact that the begin of the 12 months,” Andrew Hunter, deputy chief U.S. economist at Money Economics, wrote in a be aware subsequent the launch.

The moves arrive soon after the Federal Reserve posted a semiannual Financial Coverage Report to Congress that details the central bank’s ideas to hike fascination prices as a suggests to restore price tag stability.

Officials indicated “that ongoing increases in the focus on selection will be proper in purchase to attain a stance of financial plan that is sufficiently restrictive to return inflation to 2{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502} above time,” the Fed mentioned in its report.

Stocks rallied on Thursday, with the S&P 500 investing decrease for most of the session right before rallying right after commentary from Atlanta Federal Reserve President Raphael Bostic.

Bostic stated he’s nonetheless open up to boosting rates by yet another quarter percentage issue at the central bank’s March assembly. “I permit the details guidebook me,” Bostic instructed reporters in a push briefing. “If the information continue on to arrive in suggesting the economic climate is more robust than I experienced projected, I’ll modify my policy trajectory.”

In this still image from video, Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank President Raphael Bostic speaks from Atlanta during a webinar sponsored by the 12 regional Fed banks to address the lack of racial disparity in the field of economics on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. (AP Photo)

Atlanta Federal Reserve Lender President Raphael Bostic speaks from Atlanta in the course of a webinar sponsored by the 12 regional Fed financial institutions to address the absence of racial disparity in the subject of economics on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. (AP Photograph)

Bostic, who isn’t a voter on monetary coverage this year, wrote an essay on Wednesday calling for the Fed to increase its policy fee by 50 basis details to a variety of 5{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}-5.25{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502} and then continue to keep it there till effectively into 2024.

Fed officials lifted the benchmark fee by a quarter of a percentage issue in February, pulling the goal to stand in a array of 4.5{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}-4.75{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}. Policymakers will be releasing new projections just after the central bank’s March 21-22 assembly.

In single stock moves, C3.ai (AI) shares surged over 30{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502} Friday immediately after the corporation posted fiscal 3rd quarter earnings that arrived at $66.7 million, beating analyst anticipations of $64.2 million.

Shares of Rivian (RIVN) jumped right after the EV maker explained on Friday it is keeping to the initial manufacturing forecast of 50,000 autos in 2023.

Costco (Charge) shares sank 2{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502} immediately after the bulk retailer posted combined outcomes for the second quarter. Total income for its most up-to-date quarter was $55.27 billion, slightly down below analysts’ anticipations of $55.58 billion. For the duration of the earnings get in touch with, the firm provided some hopeful news on the inflation front.

ChargePoint (CHPT) shares were down Friday just after the maker of EV charging stations reported disappointing outcomes and issued softer guidance.

Shares of Amazon (AMZN) have been up 3{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502} as the company pauses construction on its second quarters in Arlington, Virginia. The move follows the tech giant’s bulletins of position cuts in the wake of slowing shopper and company expending.

Marvell Technological know-how (MRVL) inventory fell soon after the business described blended results, with earnings in line with anticipations but direction weaker than forecasted.

Shares of Meta Platforms (META) surged 6{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502} as the business introduced it would slash selling prices of its Quest Pro virtual-reality headset soon after the product launch.

In the cryptocurrency sector, equally Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) fell as customers pull their resources from crypto financial institution Silvergate (SI), whose stock plunged additional than 57{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502} all through the trading session on Thursday. Following the drop in Bitcoin, the pullback is near to 10{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502} and the electronic asset was on rate to close under its 50-working day relocating average for the first time in nearly two months, in accordance to data from Bespoke Expense Team.

—

Dani Romero is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. Stick to her on Twitter @daniromerotv

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Dollar falls against major currencies amid economy concerns; yuan strengthens

Dollar falls against major currencies amid economy concerns; yuan strengthens

Greenback banknotes.

Simpleimages | Minute | Getty Images

The U.S. greenback weakened towards significant currencies on Wednesday amid problems that climbing interest charges could force the U.S. financial system into economic downturn, when a loosening of China’s COVID restrictions boosted the yuan.

The Peruvian sol fell as the country’s Congress voted to oust President Pedro Castillo in an impeachment demo on Wednesday. At its session reduced, the sol fell extra than 2{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502} from the greenback.

Some traders have been anticipating the Fed will shortly slow its price tightening pace, but current upbeat U.S. employment, expert services and manufacturing unit info has included to trader uncertainty in excess of the Fed’s coverage outlook.

The Fed is anticipated to elevate rates again when it meets upcoming week.

A U.S. greenback index, which steps the buck versus a basket of currencies, was past down .4{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}.

Numerous U.S. bank executives are bracing for a worsening U.S. economic system up coming year. Between them, Bank of The us CEO Brian Moynihan told investors at a Goldman Sachs fiscal meeting that the bank’s exploration shows “damaging advancement” in the initially section of 2023, but the contraction will be “mild.”

One particular perspective is that “recessionary worries are heading to push the Fed to pause. This is why the dollar is weakening here,” explained Edward Moya at OANDA in New York. “Surging desire prices have been the key driver for greenback energy over the past 12 months.”

Against the dollar, the euro was up .3{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502} at $1.0507. The euro has risen lately on signals that Europe’s financial downturn may possibly be less terrible than formerly feared.

The dollar was down .5{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502} from the Japanese yen.

The U.S. dollar was unchanged in opposition to the Canadian dollar. The Lender of Canada hiked its benchmark overnight desire fee by 50 basis details to 4.25{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}, the greatest degree in pretty much 15 a long time, and signaled the tightening campaign was near an finish.

In Asia, China’s yuan was firmer as the governing administration before declared measures that marked a sharp improve to its tough zero-COVID coverage that has battered its financial system and activated historic protests.

China’s nationwide wellness authority claimed asymptomatic COVID-19 situations and these with moderate indications can self-handle even though in quarantine at dwelling.

The announcement was the strongest indicator so much that China is planning its folks to reside with the disease, although analysts say the path to entirely reopening the economic climate will be extended and bumpy.

The dollar was very last down .3{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502} in opposition to the offshore Chinese yuan.

In cryptocurrencies, bitcoin very last was down 1.5{515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}.

South Dakota Board of Education Standards hosting Sioux Falls meeting

South Dakota Board of Education Standards hosting Sioux Falls meeting

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Debate around the proposed social studies standards continued Monday in Sioux Falls. 

The South Dakota Board of Education Standards hosted its second of four statewide meetings on the proposed standards at 9 a.m. at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.

A total of up to 90 minutes will be allowed for proponent and opponent testimony. More than 200 people attended the hearing and those against the new standards far outnumbered supporters.

Members of the board are: Becky Guffin, Phyllis Heineman, Rich Meyer, Terry Nebelsick, Linda Olsen, Julie Westra and Steve Willard. All members were present in Sioux Falls. 

Nebelsick was elected the new president of the board and Guffin is the new vice president.

The board did not vote on the approval of the standards on Monday. That vote will come after the fourth public meeting held in 2023. The next two board of education meetings will be in Pierre on Saturday, Feb. 11 and in Rapid City on Monday, April 17. 

After both sides presented testimony, Shannon Malone with the South Dakota Department of Education gave a summary of the submitted public comment. Malone said as of Nov. 18, the DOE has heard 968 public comments on the proposed standards. In total, proponents have submitted 103 public comments, opponents submitted 828 and there’s been 37 neutral comments. 

The DOE asked the board for an extra year to implement the proposed standards if passed. The standards wouldn’t go into effect until the 2025-26 school year. Public hearings will continue in 2023.

The board approved the motion for the changes to the implementation timeline. If the social studies are not approved, the timeline will need to be changed again.

Dr. Ben Jones, state historian and state historical society director, gave the untimed rebuttal in favor of the proposed standards. Jones said South Dakota teachers were used in the process of developing the standards along with a wider group of people.

Jones noted the American Historical Association letter and said he was surprised when it came out. Before proponent testimony, Jones said teachers adapted to remote teaching in March 2020 when Gov. Kristi Noem closed schools because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said teachers could adapt to the proposed social studies standards.

“These standards start with the content,” Jones said. “The benefit of content-rich standards are many.” He said it helps close the achievement gap.

Jones said low income students are dependent on schools to provide content. He said young students would be exposed to a wider variety of terms and events through the proposed social studies standards.   

“They will be supported by the department for quality implementation,” Jones said. 


Opponent testimony

Jeff Danielson spoke first against the proposed standards. The Watertown superintendent was speaking on his behalf and said time investment will shift away from other subjects towards social studies if the standards are passed. 

Tanna Stadler, a mother, said the standards ignore factors that improve the learning process. She said early learners would have too much to memorize and students won’t understand what they’re being told to memorize. 

“Volume does equal rigor,” Stadler said. 

Stadler said the state doesn’t have a good history of funding for K-12 education and she questions if there would be enough funding to implement the new standards. 

Eric Toft, a former teacher who lives in Brookings, said the proposed standards will gut the current geographic classes from the current standards. Toft said he worked on the 2015 commission and said the geography of capitals can be easily googled. 

He said making connections between places and understanding how GPS works are important for geography classes today. He said world population totals are absent from the proposed standards as well as modern immigration topics.

Brian Wagner, education consultant for the Crow Creek and Lower Brule Sioux Tribes, said all nine Native American tribes oppose the proposed standards. Wagner said Native American religion is not mentioned in the proposed standards. He said how Native American Day was created in South Dakota is also missing.

Ryan Rolfs, the executive director of the South Dakota Education Association, said teachers are busy teaching and can’t speak to the standards. He said SDEA requested a weekend meeting so more teachers could participate without taking paid time off but no answer to that request has been received.

Rolfs asked if the board would listen to educators because they are making their opposition known.

Emily Fink said she is a parent and no one has paid her to speak. She said she has an 8th-grader who would not be considered successful based on the proposed standards. 

Emily Fink said she is a parent and no one has paid her to speak. She said she has an 2nd-grader who would not be considered not successful based on the proposed standards. She said they are too complex. 

Paul Harens, a retired Yankton teacher and member of the original 2021 social studies commission, said K-12 teachers are not teaching Critical Race Theory in classes. 

Harens said the proposed standards don’t allow for debate. Harens said Gov. Noem and Hillsdale College want to use South Dakota as an example.

“The real propaganda is coming from the national GOP,” Harens said. 

Michael Amolins said he is speaking on behalf of his family. He said verbs matters and that’s why these proposed social studies standards matter. He said there’s a lack of active learning, applied skills and accountability in the proposed standards. 

Robert Hoffmann, a retired teacher, said he is not concerned with the content of the proposed standards but the process of the social studies standards. He said the process has been hijacked by out-of-state, partisan influences. 

Shannon Steckelberg, a mother with students in the Harrisburg school district, said she really likes the Harrisburg school system. She said she doesn’t understand why more South Dakota teachers were used to make the proposed standards. 

“You must work with those who have experience,” Steckelberg said. “Memorization and understanding concepts aren’t the same.”

Steckelberg said first graders would be required to memorize the preamble and said many first graders don’t understand many of the words in the preamble. 

Dr. Stephen Jackson, a University of Sioux Falls history professor and member of the 2021 workgroup, asked why the process of inquiry is left out of the public education standards. 

“Inquiry is a significant part of history,” Jackson said.  “South Dakota would be the only inquiry-free state in the United States.” 

Jackson said he understands there is political pressure on the board but he asked to do what is right by students and oppose the standards. 

Clayton Lehmann said he is a history professor and is speaking on his own behalf. He said the proposed standards are backwards looking at facts and findings instead of looking for critical evidence. He quoted the letter from the national American Historical Association, which criticized the proposed standards, saying they would do significant harm to students in the state.

Crystal Groeneweg, a parent and special education teacher, said the proposed standards will take an emotional toll on younger learners as well. She said there will be a bigger need for special education teachers. 

Benjamin Daggett, a high school senior in Tea, said there is a teacher shortage and students like him would be driven out of the state because of the standards. He said he wants to teach in South Dakota. 

Brianne Bolstad, a teacher in South Dakota and member of the 2015 social studies group, said the proposed standards have too much memorization. She said there’s a lot of violent events expected to be taught at young grades. 

Brenda Van Beek, a parent in Harrisburg, said the process hasn’t served South Dakota. She said major changes in complex systems cause many complications. She asked why there needs to be another burden on teachers and mentions how little teachers are paid in South Dakota. 

Van Beek said she votes Republican but believes this has been a very bad idea. 

Katherine Erdman Becker, a parent, said the proposed standards won’t achieve the intended outcome. 

Dawn Marie Johnson said there should be a more inclusive process for social studies standards. She said there’s no Sioux Falls School District representative on the commission and she said she supports a weekend meeting to allow more teachers to attend. 

Linda Heerde, a longtime teacher and school board member, said she is speaking on her own behalf. She said she’s heard concerns from parents, teachers and administrators all opposed to the proposed standards. 

Kyrie Dunkley, an artist in Sioux Falls, a parent and member of the Indian education committee in Sioux Falls, said she doesn’t support religion or charter schools from out-of-state having influence on the curriculum of public schools in South Dakota. 

She also advocated for the expansion of the Oceti Sakowin-based curriculum along with language immersion and a deeper understanding of treaty knowledge.

Kathie Tuntland, a retired teacher and administrator, brought up the American Historical Association letter. She said students won’t be allowed to compete in National History Day sanctioned competitions if the proposed standards are adopted.

Ruth Grinager said she doesn’t like to see South Dakotans lose out on decision making. 

Kevin Cole, who teaches at USF, thanked teachers and said he wished more lawmakers had faith in them. He said the standards are objectives and curriculum mandate.

RoxAnn Neeman, a longtime teacher from the Lennox school district, said there’s not enough South Dakota history in the proposed standards. 


Proponent speakers

More than 20 speakers spoke in favor of the proposed social studies standards for a total of 90 minutes.

Four people not from South Dakota spoke in favor of the social studies standards. Two were involved with education in Idaho, one was a principal in Colorado and one with the John Hopkins Institute for Education Policy in Maryland. 

The first proponent speaker was Aaron Levisay, a member of the social studies standards commission. He referenced JFK’s famous speech about America going to the moon because it is hard. He said people in South Dakota are ready to sacrifice to teach the new social studies standards.

Cole Heisey, a Sioux Falls resident, said he’d like to go back to school to learn what he wasn’t taught and he was impressed by the new standards. He said it will be up to teachers to teach to a curriculum.

Penny BayBridge,a homeschool parent, spoke in favor of the standards and said a TV game show showed there was a shortage in civics. She said children are sponges and want to learn. 

Steve Sibson, of Mitchell, said the current social studies standards were written by someone from Wisconsin from a national education organization that supports Critical Race Theory. Sibson said protests in 2020 were more about destroying American history rather than learning from it. 

Jon Nash, a recent South Dakota State University graduate, said he wishes he could go back and learn these standards. Nash said he’s been taught there are many things wrong with America. He said K-12 education should teach what is right with America. 

Nash said Native American education were just a “blip” in his education and the new standards would allow more Native American history to be taught.

Allen Weate, a former teacher who moved to South Dakota four years ago, said he supports the standards because it requires students to search for truths – bad and good. Weate said the standards do require critical thinking by learning past history.

Janet Finzen, a member of the social studies standards commission and former teacher in Nebraska who lives in Dakota Dunes, said the standards are written with students and parents in mind. Finzen wrote an op-ed in favor the standards.

“No one owns history, but we are all responsible for it,” Finzen said.

Christina David, representing herself, said she was excited to read the standards. She said she is concerned about the protests against the standards. She said her sons switched to homeschool and thrived.

Larry Fossum said he has 16 grandkids in schools and supports the proposed standards. He said there’s a massive disconnect between the Indian reservations and people in other areas of South Dakota. He said it is time to stop focusing on who wrote the standards.

Maggie Sutton, an outgoing lawmaker and substitute teacher, said students need to embrace thinking and to think out-of-the box. She said she’s worried about the public school system. 

“We need to teach students not to settle for the norm,” Sutton said.

Stephanie Hiatt, a member of the commission, is testifying via Zoom. She said the committee went over every line of the proposed standards. She said students in Sioux Falls are learning Spanish at the same time as English and the new standards will challenge young learners.

Hiatt said there is more memorization but it helps students build knowledge that will be helpful later in education.

Steve Lambert, a teacher of a classical academy in Fruitland, Idaho, testified via Zoom. He said his school is a Hillsdale K-12 school full of a rich, civics curriculum. Lambert said the Hillsdale curriculum at his school has been successful and the school leads in statewide tests.

Robert Garrow, a principal in Colorado, said his school uses standards similar to the content at his school. He said teachers are more than capable of teaching these standards and students are capable of learning from them.

David Steiner, John Hopkins Institute for Education Policy, said the standards don’t “whitewash or indoctrinate” and noted how hard that is to accomplish. He said South Dakota would have the best social studies standards in the country. Steiner said memorization is also learning by heart.

He said education has given up on content and focuses on the process too much now. He said the social studies standards provide a good bedrock for students to learn and benefit from.  

Linda Montgomery, from Fairview, South Dakota, said she has four grandkids and she supports the proposed standards. She said she’s proud her 4-year-old grandkid can do The Pledge of Allegiance.

Jessica Pollema, a Lincoln County resident, said she wants to trust teachers. She brought up a “white privilege test” taught in a Sioux Falls high school revealed during the legislative session last year. 

She brought up litter boxes in schools and wondered what is actually happening in schools. She said she wants to set the bar higher in South Dakota.

David Goodwin, President for the Association of Classical Christian Schools in Idaho, spoke in favor of the standards. Goodwin said the standards lay out an excellent timeline. 

Karla Lems, a newly elected lawmaker from District 16, said students deserve an honest education and the bar should be set high. Lems said look at how Gov. Noem has been challenged in life and has rose to the occasion. She said kids can also rise the challenge of harder standards.

Sue Peterson, a state lawmaker from District 13, said the submitted written public comments come from paid lobbyists. She said the new standards come from parents and the board should listen to parents over teachers.   


9 a.m.

Malone discussed how the process with content standards works. 

Malone said the proposed social studies, if implemented, would take time for all teachers to feel comfortable and confident in teaching. The DOE will provide professional development in Summer 2023 and ongoing to build knowledge and capacity to implement the new standards.

Malone said there will be a social studies summit to explore resources available. Malone said there’s more than $800,000 to go towards implementation of the standards. 

Along with social studies, Career & Technical Education standards for Business Management & Administration, Hospitality & Tourism, Marketing, Transportation, Distribution, & Logistics and Capstone Courses are being discussed.

Laura Scheibe, the division director for college, career and student success with the South Dakota Department of Education, is discussing the standards for Business Management & Administration, Hospitality & Tourism, Marketing, Transportation, Distribution, & Logistics and Capstone Courses.

There was one public comment submitted for the CTE standards regarding Business Management and Administration.


8:50 a.m.

Ahead of the meeting, more than 800 pages of public comments on the social studies standards have been released. 

Many of the comments opposed to the proposed standards center around concern that they are not “developmentally appropriate” for the various grade levels.

The South Dakota Department of Education has released three op-eds in support of the proposed standards. Janet Finzen, a member of the Social Studies Standards Revision Commission who worked on the proposed standards, wrote “complex social studies standards empower students to succeed in school and later in their careers and life.” 

The South Dakota Education Association has provided a side-by-side comparison for each grade level to the standards approved in 2015. 

Sandra Waltman, SDEA director of communications and government relations, told KELOLAND News in October the proposed standards haven’t changed and therefore the opposition remains from the SDEA and many other education associations and teachers across the state. 

Waltman said the main concerns are about memorization, the amount of content and the cost of changing curriculums to match the proposed standards. 

There is no current state or federal test that measures how students are learning about social studies in South Dakota. The proposed social studies standards doesn’t change that, but Waltman said part of how public schools are accredited is through aligning with statewide standards.