This publication assesses the status of public elementary-secondary education in South Dakota and describes the state's progress toward meeting the six National Education Goals. A notable achievement is the Families First program, which is a broad-based initiative that empowers communities to identify and meet local human service needs and to tightly manage state and federal programs in the areas of health care, social and human services, juvenile justice, and education. South Dakota is among the top 10 in high school completion (87.16% for public only); however the completion rate for non-public (parochial, private and Bureau of Indian Affairs-federal) was only 53.20%. Students score above the national average on achievement tests. However, the alcohol consumption rate among students is above the national average. Improvements need to be made in the areas of prenatal care and graduation rates of the Native American population. Four figures and two tables are included. (LMI)1