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lot Questions, it is essential that one makes informed decisions based on facts rather than perceptions or misinformation. Referred Law 16, also known as HB1234, has many parts. Regardless of one's political preference, each voter has a responsibility to be informed when taking the time to vote.
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• Referred Law 16 Facts:
• Fact 1 - The "Critical Needs Scholarship Program" will create 100 scholarships a year for students majoring in education for their junior and senior years who agree to teach in a critical needs teaching field. Critical needs will be determined based upon a survey of local school districts. The scholarships will equate to full tuition and fees at a state university, and recipients will be required to teach in a critical needs field for five years in South Dakota after graduation. The program begins in the 2013-14 school year.
• Fact 2 -The "Math and Science Teacher Incentive Program" will reward the state's best middle school and high school math and science teachers - those who are evaluated as "distinguished" or "proficient" on the state evaluation system - with an annual bonus of $2,500. This program begins in the 2014-15 school year. It is voluntary.  (It is estimated there will be 500 math and science teachers retiring in the next 5-10 years. In FY 11 there were a total of 19 math education major graduates from SD universities, 12 biology education majors, 1 chemistry, 1 earth science, and 0 physics education majors. However, there were 142 elementary education graduates, 37 elementary/special education graduates, and 40 early childhood education graduates.)
• Fact 3- The "Top Teacher Rewards Program" allows local school districts to create their own plans to reward teachers based upon student achievement, teacher leadership, or local critical needs. Districts will receive approximately $1,000 per teacher to set up their local plans. Each district can opt out entirely if they choose. A third option schools can use is the original proposal to give $5,000 bonuses to the top 20 percent of teachers. The program begins in the 2014-15 school year.
• Fact 4- The law removes the state mandate that requires districts to grant continuing contract to teachers. (It is sometimes called "tenure.") This takes effect on July 1, 2016. Teachers who receive continuing contracts prior to that date will not lose continuing contract status. Local districts will still be allowed to extend continuing contract if they choose, but it will no longer be required by the state.
• Fact 5- The law creates a new statewide evaluation system for teachers and

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