This week, Dusty Johnson unveiled his “Strong Schools” Plan to address declining student test scores in South Dakota. He criticized the governor’s budget for dropping K-12 as the state’s top investment and pledged to restore it through priority-based budgeting.
Johnson’s plan focuses on making K-12 the state’s top budget priority.
Improving reading and math scores by working closely with families and educators, citing Mississippi’s reforms in phonics and promotion policies as models.
And allowing skilled trade courses to count toward math and science graduation requirements, aiming to close the skills gap and expand job prospects.
Recent data shows reading scores fell for 4th and 8th graders in 2024, while math scores remained flat. Educators note lingering impacts from COVID on academics and student well-being.
Governor Larry Rhoden’s office responded, saying federal cost shifts like Medicaid limit new K-12 funding, but highlighted investments in the Science of Reading and updated math standards. They argued Johnson’s plan is campaign rhetoric, while the administration has already boosted education funding above statutory requirements.
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