South Dakota will update its high school graduation requirements to allow students to earn academic credit for participating in extracurricular athletics, a change the Board of Education Standards must implement by September 30, 2026. The bill modifies the state's graduation credit rules to recognize athletic participation as a valid way to meet some of the credits needed to graduate. This gives high schools flexibility to award credit for sports and other extracurricular activities alongside traditional classroom coursework.
This bill does not directly amend codified state law.
The amendment added new language allowing students to earn up to one-half credit in physical education for participation in school-sanctioned extracurricular varsity athletic activities, with a maximum of one-fourth credit per activity annually.
House of Representatives Do Pass Amended Failed, YEAS 31, NAYS 36. H.J. 139
House of Representatives Deferred to another day H.J. 128
Education Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 8, NAYS 7. H.J. 1
Education Motion to amend H.J. 1
Education Motion to amend H.J. 1
Education Scheduled for hearing
First read in House and referred to House Education H.J. 12
Prime sponsor · Rep.
R
Prime sponsor · Sen.
R
Do Pass Amended
Education — Do Pass Amended