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prohibit the use of curricular materials that promote racial divisiveness and displace historical understanding with ideology.

South Dakota school districts would be prohibited from using educational materials that the state Board of Education Standards determines promote "racial divisiveness" or replace historical facts with ideology. The bill adds this restriction to existing rules the Board develops for school curriculum requirements, giving the state authority to block certain textbooks and teaching materials from public and nonpublic schools.

make an appropriation for the development of a K-12 civics and history curriculum and to declare an emergency.

South Dakota will provide funding to develop a new K-12 civics and history curriculum for public schools. The bill amends state education law to establish this curriculum development program and declares it an emergency measure to expedite implementation.

provide for philosophical exceptions to required vaccinations.

This bill allows parents to opt their children out of required school vaccinations by submitting a written statement claiming a "sincerely held religious or philosophical belief" against immunization, without needing a doctor's certification. Previously, South Dakota law only allowed exemptions for medical reasons or religious beliefs; this expands exemptions to include philosophical objections. The change applies to vaccinations currently required for school and early childhood program enrollment in South Dakota.

establish restrictions governing instructional standards and curricular materials.

This bill adds a restriction preventing the South Dakota Board of Education Standards from requiring schools to use specific curricula or teaching methods, even as the board sets academic standards and curriculum requirements. The board can still establish what students should learn and which content areas must be covered, but individual schools and teachers retain flexibility in choosing how to teach that material. This clarifies that state education standards set learning goals without dictating the exact textbooks, programs, or instructional approaches schools must use.

require the display of the state motto in public school classrooms.

South Dakota's state motto must now be displayed in public school classrooms. The bill amends existing education law (§35-4-10.2) to require this display, making it a formal requirement for schools rather than optional.

prohibit the conduct of certain physical examinations or screenings on students in a school district without parental consent.

SB170 requires South Dakota schools to get written parental consent before conducting physical exams or screenings on students, except for exams needed for school sports participation or required by law. The bill prevents schools from performing certain health screenings on minors without parents being notified and giving permission in advance.