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the past three years. In other words, the knowledge and achievement of our students is still good, but it is not improving in the short or longer terms. The national average composite score is 21.1.   
• We must always look for ways to improve outcomes in education, ways to improve student achievement.
• I expect every department of state government to be accountable for the money it spends, so we know that taxpayer dollars are being spent in a way that benefits the people of South Dakota.
• We should always continue to strive for greater achievement in education. We have a good benchmark and a good historical reference, now we must find the means to improve.