A bill that gives $2.8 million to training teachers in technology is dead. Friday morning, members of the House Education committee considered House Bill 1005. The measure dedicates funding for two days of teacher professional development in technology. That’s in addition to regular inservice and training districts provide.
Supporters say training is essential but time-consuming; they see the measure as a way to help schools integrate tech instruction.
Representative Dan Kaiser says he would rather put the millions directly into salaries.
"Our big concern when I talk to school board members in my area is teacher pay. And when I talk to teachers and other people in the education industry, their pay seems to be the issue, not this particular training for the technology that we all support," Kaiser says.
?South Dakota’s Department of Education opposes the bill; leaders say teachers are already focusing training in areas like education standards.
HB 1005 results from a legislative summer study on improving education. In committee, seven lawmakers vote to keep the bill alive, but eight more decide to kill the bill.