Education Policy & Systems

SDEEC works alongside students, families, educators, Tribal Education Departments, and community partners to address education policies and systems that impact Native students and communities across South Dakota.

This work includes supporting community engagement around school policy, increasing understanding of how different educational systems operate, and helping elevate conversations surrounding educational equity, student support, cultural participation, and access to resources.

Through advocacy, relationship-building, policy analysis, and community collaboration, SDEEC works to support educational environments where Native students, families, and communities feel seen, respected, and supported.

School Funding

SDEEC supports efforts to strengthen understanding around how educational systems serving Native students are funded, governed, and supported across South Dakota.

This work includes research and public education surrounding public school funding, BIE-funded schools, tribally controlled schools, private Native-serving schools, and the federal, state, Tribal, and local systems that shape educational opportunities for Native students.

By helping communities, educators, and partners better understand these systems, SDEEC works to support more informed conversations surrounding educational equity, tribal sovereignty, funding structures, and long-term student support.

  • DescripFunded through three primary streams: state aid, federal funding, and local revenue. The balance between those sources can vary significantly depending on where a district is located. Districts located largely on federal trust land have little or no local property tax base, making state aid and federal programs such as Impact Aid especially important.

  • Federally funded and directly administered by the Bureau of Indian Education. These schools operate outside of South Dakota’s state funding system and receive no state aid or local property tax revenue. Their primary funding comes through BIE, including the Indian School Equalization Program (ISEP), along with other federal education programs.

  • Federally funded through BIE but operated under Tribal authority through grants or contracts. Like BIE-operated schools, they receive no state aid or local property tax revenue, but governance and day-to-day operations are under Tribal authority.

  • Operate outside of the public and BIE funding systems. Funding varies by school but generally comes through private donations, foundation and philanthropic grants, religious institutions, and, in limited cases, tuition.

School Lunches

After learning that schools were considering sending student meal debt to collections in 2025, SDEEC raised awareness through a community Action Network letter campaign calling for a more equitable approach to school lunches and student meal debt.

More than 500 community messages were sent urging decision-makers to ensure students were not penalized for poverty or denied access to meals during the school day.

Following this community advocacy, HB 1082 was introduced during the 2026 legislative session. The bill reimburses schools for unpaid meal balances when families eligible for reduced-price meals cannot cover the remaining cost.

SDEEC supported community engagement surrounding the legislation by sharing updates, resources, and opportunities for public participation throughout the legislative process.

Cultural Participation & Educational Access

SDEEC works alongside families, educators, and community partners to support educational environments that recognize and respect the cultural identities, responsibilities, and participation of Native students and families.

This work includes community engagement and ongoing conversations surrounding attendance practices, cultural participation, student belonging, and how schools can better support Native students and families in ways that are responsive, relationship-centered, and culturally respectful.

SDEEC has supported conversations with school districts, families, and community leaders surrounding attendance policies, communication practices, and the recognition of cultural and community-based learning experiences.

Equity & Access Campaigns

SDEEC works alongside families, Title VI parents, educators, coalition partners, and community members to support equitable access to educational opportunities and strengthen communication between schools and communities.

This work includes supporting family engagement efforts, helping communities navigate school systems, elevating concerns impacting Native students and families, and supporting conversations surrounding Title VI implementation, student support, and educational equity.

Through relationship-building, advocacy, and community collaboration, SDEEC works to support constructive engagement and long-term systems change that strengthens educational experiences and opportunities for Native students across South Dakota.

Photos from the celebratory event after the School Lunches bill was signed into law. Featuring State Representative Kadyn Whittman, who led the legislative effort.