South Dakota

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Strategy Name Strategy Type(s) Year Funding Amount Funding Source Features at a Glance
South Dakota High School Pathways
Starting in fall 2023, students in South Dakota will have the opportunity to work toward a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential while pursuing a high school diploma. This program was designed to create a new pipeline of qualified educators who can help alleviate a staffing shortage in early education programs across the state. Students will participate in online or in-person coursework and complete at least 480 hours of supervised work in an early education program. A CDA credential typically costs about $800, but high school students will be able to obtain it for free. This program derives from recommendations generated by the Sioux Falls Childcare Collaborative and is administered through a partnership between Educators Rising SD, the South Dakota Department of Social Services, Sanford CHILD Services, and the federal Department of Education Head Start Collaboration Office. Learn More: South Dakota High School Pathways Sources: Huber, M. (2023, July 12). South Dakota High School Course Trains Students to Become Child Care Workers. The 74. Sioux Falls Childcare Collaborative. (2023). Community Childcare Initiative Final Report.
  • Workforce
    • Professional Learning
    High school students complete coursework + supervised work experience to obtain a Child Development Associate credential at no cost
    Starting in fall 2023, students in South Dakota will have the opportunity to work toward a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential while pursuing a high school diploma. This program was designed to create a new pipeline of qualified educators who can help alleviate a staffing shortage in early education programs across the state. Students will participate in online or in-person coursework and complete at least 480 hours of supervised work in an early education program. A CDA credential typically costs about $800, but high school students will be able to obtain it for free. This program derives from recommendations generated by the Sioux Falls Childcare Collaborative and is administered through a partnership between Educators Rising SD, the South Dakota Department of Social Services, Sanford CHILD Services, and the federal Department of Education Head Start Collaboration Office. Learn More: South Dakota High School Pathways Sources: Huber, M. (2023, July 12). South Dakota High School Course Trains Students to Become Child Care Workers. The 74. Sioux Falls Childcare Collaborative. (2023). Community Childcare Initiative Final Report.
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    Demographics Link copied!

    Demographics Data Scorecard

    State population

    909,824 Source U.S. Census, 2022

    Rural %

    42.8% Source U.S. Census, 2020

    Urban %

    57.2% Source U.S. Census, 2020

    Number of children 0–4

    58,668 Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

    Poverty levels - children 0—8 below 200% poverty

    35% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

    Median family income among households with children

    $83,600.00 Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

    Unemployment rate

    2.0% Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, June 2024

    Unemployment rate of parents

    2% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

    Children under age 6 with all available parents in the labor force

    N/A, for most states between 65%-75% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

    Children living in households with a high housing cost burden

    20% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

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    Child Population by Race and Ethnicity Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

    Race and Ethnicity

    • American Indian and Alaska Native (12%)
    • Asian (2%)
    • Black or African American (3%)
    • Hispanic or Latino (8%)
    • Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander (.5%)
    • Two or more races (5%)
    • White, not Hispanic or Latino (64%)
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    Year 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
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    State Senate R R R R R
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    Early Childhood Education Programs Link copied!

    Early Childhood Education Programs

    Program Name Program Length* Universal or Targeted Pre-K Policy State Spending Per Child
    N/A Source: NIEER 2023 N/A Source: NIEER 2023
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    2023 Percent of 3-Year-Olds Enrolled in Early Childhood Education Programs Source: NIEER 2023

    Programs

    • Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Early Childhood Education Programs (0%)
    • 3-Year-old Children Enrolled in Head Start (13%)
    • Other/None (87%)
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    2023 Percent of 4-Year-Olds Enrolled in Early Childhood Education Programs Source: NIEER 2023

    Programs

    • Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Early Childhood Education Programs (0%)
    • 4-Year-old Children Enrolled in Head Start (15%)
    • Other/None (85%)
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    Workforce Link copied!

    2017–2019 Median Hourly Wages Source CSCCE 2018, 2020

    Role

    • Child Care Workers
      $10.13 (2017, adjusted)
      $9.99 (2019)
    • Preschool Teachers
      $14.48 (2017, adjusted)
      $14.23 (2019)
    • Preschool or Child Care Center Directors
      $27.93 (2017, adjusted)
      $27.20 (2019)
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    Funding Sources Link copied!

    Federal and State Early Childhood Education Funding (in Millions) Source First Five Years Fund, 2024

    Funding Source

    • Head Start and Early Head Start Funding ($54.6)
    • CCDBG & Mandatory Funds ($32)
    • CCDBG State Match ($5.3)
    • MIECHV ($1.4)
    • IDEA Part C ($2.6)
    • IDEA Part B, Sec 619 ($1.6)
    • TANF Early Learning and Care ($0.8)
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