Sioux Falls, SD (KELO-AM) The percentage of non-white and immigrant students will increase in the Sioux Falls schools over the next ten years, according to a study by the University of South Dakota. The proportion of white students will drop from 69% to 58%.
School Board President Kent Alberty says cultural differences call for new understanding and sensitivity in the classroom. For example, he says, a student from Sudan may exhibit behaviors acceptable where he used to go to school, but that are unacceptable in Sioux Falls. Alberty says a new program being piloted in three elementary schools this coming school year uses behavior specialists to help work through differences.
The USD study also projects that the overall student population in Sioux Falls will increase 20% by the end of ten years. Alberty says it's possible the city may need a fourth high school.