Black Hills Cooperative Wins Five-Year Language Grant
A federal grant will fund SD LIFT, a program strengthening instruction for multilingual learners across eight South Dakota school districts.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Language Learning
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Black Hills Special Services Cooperative has been awarded a five-year federal grant to implement the South Dakota Language-Informed Instruction Framework for Teachers, known as SD LIFT. The program will serve at least 160 educators across eight South Dakota school districts.
Why it matters
The grant targets instruction for multilingual learners, aiming to strengthen classroom practice across South Dakota. Participating districts are expected to build lasting literacy systems that continue after the grant period ends.
The five-year grant reaches at least 160 educators in eight districts, with 80 to 120 more joining district-led learning. The total award amount and start date have not been disclosed in the available source material.
The players
Black Hills Special Services Cooperative
A cooperative serving South Dakota school districts that was selected to lead the SD LIFT grant project.
Dakota Wesleyan University
A private university in Mitchell, South Dakota, providing coursework toward ENL endorsement for participating educators.
Lexis Education
An education company supporting professional learning through its Teaching English in Multilingual Classrooms approach.
The details
SD LIFT will provide educators with evidence-based professional learning and ongoing instructional coaching, with Dakota Wesleyan University offering coursework toward ENL endorsement. Lexis Education will support the program through its Teaching English in Multilingual Classrooms approach, and the project is expected to benefit about 2,240 students.
Timeline
Five-year project period begins under the federal grant award.
Season Trajectory
The SD LIFT award places South Dakota within the federal National Professional Development program, which funds teacher training nationwide. Only a very small group of recipients received awards, making this grant a selective federal investment in multilingual instruction.
Educators in participating districts will gain access to ENL endorsement coursework and ongoing coaching during the five-year project. Families of multilingual learners may see changes in classroom instruction as districts adopt the framework.
The takeaway
Investment in educator training for multilingual learners can build instructional systems that outlast a single grant. Districts planning similar efforts should prioritize coaching and sustainable practices alongside coursework.
Further reading
Explore more on Language Learning to see how multilingual instruction is shaping classrooms in South Dakota.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Rapid City Journal.
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