Have you Reviewed Your School Accountability Report?

On August 26,2024, correspondence was disseminated regarding releasing draft school accountability reports for the 2024-2025 school year within the internal test site on Insights and STARS portal. To view information on the internal test site, you must be connected to "STAGEnet."

It is critical to review this data to ensure accuracy. Schools have until September 13, 2024 to review their data, ask questions, or submit an appeal. The information will then be made available to the public on the Insights dashboard. 

The following resources are available:

• Assistance: The fastest way to get your accountability questions answered on the specific topic by someone knowledgeable is to send your questions to the email address dpiaccountability@nd.gov
• August Memo
• STARS Reporting and Analytics for Accountability Recording

ARP ESSER III Funds Closeout Procedures – LIMITED Extensions Possible 

School districts must fully obligate ALL funds on or before September 30, 2024, regardless of filing for an extension. An obligation includes a completed procurement process and fully executed contract. School districts must closeout all final claim requests prior to December 30, 2024, unless approved for a liquidation extension.  

Liquidation extensions can be requested by school districts that have extenuating circumstances and are in good standing with all federal reporting requirements.  Extended liquidation funds can ONLY be used to pay for: 

• Services provided through contractors that are not a district or state employee.
• To receive real or personal property secured through a binding written commitment prior to September 30, 2024.  

Late liquidation requests can be submitted on WebGrants through October 15, 2024. All requests will need to include: 

• Completed Late Liquidation Status Report.
• Narrative of how the funds will continue to support academic needs.
• Explanation of why the funds were not spent within the original performance period. The US Department of Education does NOT accept simply “needing more time” as a valid explanation.  
• Attachment of all procurement documents and executed contracts.  

Detailed instructions will be available soon on the NDDPI website here.  

Embracing AI in Education: North Dakota's New K-12 AI Guidance Framework

In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a buzzword—it's becoming an integral part of our daily lives, including education. Recognizing this shift, the NDDPI has introduced a new K-12 AI Guidance Framework designed to help schools navigate AI's complex and exciting world!

Click here to read full article.

School Leaders Key to Special Education Success

School leaders are pivotal in ensuring the success of special education programs within their institutions. Principals have the capacity to influence the conduct of Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings, ensure that specialists have the necessary resources, and establish a supportive tone for the school's overall approach to special education. Recently, the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) collaborated with staff from the Lead IDEA Center to produce a podcast titled "An Innovative Approach to Special Education." This podcast offers valuable insights on how school leaders can develop systems to enhance special education services.

2024 STARS Reading Curriculum and Professional Development Report Now Open for Submission

All K-3 public and private schools are required to submit an annual report via STARS to demonstrate compliance with NDCC 15.1-21-12.1. Based on the report review, schools may receive up to a three-year approval. Check the Public Schools or Private Schools list to see your building’s due date.  

The NDDPI Science of Reading Webpage contains information and guidance related to the report. The NDDPI will host two informational webinars to overview the reporting process, the 2024 updates, and offer Q & A. Join webinars on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at 11:00 AM CT or Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at 1:00 PM CT. If you have any questions, please contact Brenda Ehrmantraut.

CREAM Town Hall

A College Ready English and Math (CREAM) Town Hall will be held on Thursday, September 12, 2024, from 3:30 to 4:30 PM CT. This Town Hall will help CREAM program facilitators become aware of the features available within the Connect English platform. During the Town Hall, representatives from McGraw Hill Connect will be available to answer questions facilitators have regarding the new platform. The link for this meeting is available here.

Pathways to Literacy Leadership for North Dakota

Align your leadership plan with dyslexia awareness goals from the NDDPI. New K-3 principals, this is your opportunity for a free course to meet the ND reading professional development law. These self-paced learning courses begin on September 9, 2024.To learn more and register click here. If you have any questions, contact Brenda Ehrmantraut.

PowerSchool Workshops

Monday, September 9

• MISO3 Refresher via Teams, 9:30 AM CT, MISO3
• Creating and Saving Lists in PowerSchool via Teams, 1:00 PM CT, Saving Lists

Tuesday, September 10

• ADA/ADM in PowerSchool via Teams, 9:30 AM CT, ADA/ADM

Wednesday, September 11

• MISO3 Refresher via Teams, 3:00 PM CT, MISO3

Thursday, September 12

• Photo Management in PowerSchool via Teams, 9:00 AM CT, Photos
• At Risk Setup in PowerSchool via Teams, 10:00 AM CT, At Risk
• PSCB Custom Reports via Teams, 1:00 PM CT, PSCB

Friday, September 13

• MISO3 Refresher via Teams, 11:00 AM CT, MISO3
• Creating and Saving Lists in PowerSchool via Teams, 2:00 PM CT, Saving Lists

Elevating Education Professions: Innovative Solutions to Recruitment

On October 1, 2024, at 03:30 PM CT, the National Coalition on Personnel Shortages in Special Education and Related Services (NCPSSERS) and the National Alliance of Specialized Instructional Support Personnel (NASISP) invite all interested in attracting diverse, passionate, and energized future professionals who want to make a difference in schools to this town hall. By sharing success stories and engaging in discussion, this free event will provide college and university personnel, local school districts and state departments of education, and specialized instructional support personnel stakeholders with ideas to:

• Maximize the college/university pipeline including a holistic admissions process.
• Facilitate partnerships between school districts and universities for supporting successful field placements (e.g., internship, externship).
• Recruit and retain students from marginalized populations.

Registration is required. If you have questions please contact NCPSSERS co-chair Stacey Ellison Glasgow by September 24, 2024.

North Dakota State Teachers of the Year Chapter Offering a Fall Book Study

The North Dakota State Teachers of the Year (NDSTOY) Chapter is planning to host a book study for one graduate credit through Valley City State University. The focus will be on the book Rooted in Joy by Deonna Smith. This book study was offered previously and based on feedback from teachers who completed the course, the chapter decided to offer it one more time if 10 or more teachers indicate their interest by September 16, 2024.

The purpose of this course is to provide support, new ideas, and opportunities for growth for teachers in all content areas and grade levels. The book focuses on building an inclusive, joy-filled classroom with a focus on culture and equity in the educational system. The course will be divided into eight modules. Each module will focus on topics from the book as they relate to teaching. The modules will include videos from NDSTOY Chapter members, links to resources, and discussion prompts for teachers to share ideas, experiences, insights, and inspirations related to these topics.

For more details and to indicate interest, click here.

Now Hiring: ASVAB Test Administrators

These positions are posted on USAjobs.gov and provide great opportunities for ambitious individuals. The ideal candidates are future, former, part-time, or retired educators or military. Yet, anyone qualifying will be aptly considered. There are open positions in Bismarck, Devils Lake, Dickinson, Grand Forks, Jamestown and Minot. 

Since School Year 2021-2022 the Fargo Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) has increased high school testing from 5,415 to 9,870 students. Concurrently, many of our test administrators have retired or taken other state or federal level positions.

The mission of the ASVAB Career Exploration Program is to provide aptitude testing, career exploration and academically qualified leads to the military recruiting branches.  Over and above, the Fargo MEPS dutifully serves to help North Dakota students in the multiple graduation pathways offed by "Choice Ready." 

Title I, Part D – Public Comment Period

An updated draft of Non-Regulatory Guidance for Title I, Part D of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) is now available on the Title I, Part D webpage. This is the first revision to guidance for this program since 2006.

Please submit succinct, substantive comments about the content of the draft, which may include:

1. Identifying Title I, Part D requirements or topics that you think the NDDPI has not addressed but should;
2. Identifying questions or answers in the document, by question number, that you think are not clear and provide a suggestion for enhancing clarity; and
3. Providing suggestions for enhancing the document overall.

Please submit your feedback to oese.feedback@ed.gov by September 26, 2024. Please include “ESEA Title I, Part D Nonregulatory Guidance” in the subject line. After any revisions are made, we will publish a revised, final version of the guidance.

If you have any questions, contact Jennifer Withers.

Title I Schoolwide and Targeted Assistance Training

We are happy to announce a one-day Title I Schoolwide and Targeted Assistance training. Schools with new Title I personnel or those needing a refresher are strongly encouraged to attend. This training includes information pertaining to Title I Schoolwide and Targeted Assistance programs, participation in the schoolwide planning year, best practices, and resources. Any school interested in participating in the schoolwide planning year is required to attend.

Date: September 26, 2024

Time: 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM (Lunch is on your own.)

Place: North Dakota State Capitol, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Bismarck, ND - Brynhild Haugland Room

Fee: No cost (Title I funds may be used for reimbursement of travel expenses) 

If you have any questions regarding this training, please contact one of the following:

An email containing the agenda will be sent out prior to the event.

The deadline to register is September 24 at 5 PM. Click here to register.

Foster Care, Homeless and Neglected & Delinquent Liaison Meeting Notice

District Foster Care, Homeless and Neglected & Delinquent Liaisons (and other relevant personnel) will be gathering for trainings and topics including requirements and best practices.

What: Foster Care, Homeless and Neglected & Delinquent Liaison Meeting

When: Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Time: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM CT

Location: North Dakota State Capitol, 600 E Boulevard Ave, Bismarck, ND – Brynhild Haugland Room

Registration: Click here

 Kids Bike Kindergarten PE Learn-to-Ride Program

North Dakota has an incredible opportunity to become the first state in the nation to provide the All Kids Bike program to every kindergartener across our great state. The All Kids Bike (AKB) program through the Strider Education Foundation is on a mission “to teach every child in America how to ride a bike in kindergarten.” Governor Burgum has committed to use Governor’s Emergency Education Relief funds to launch this effort. We are working to find private sector partners to help ensure every public and nonpublic school is provided this opportunity!

The All Kids Bike Kindergarten PE Learn-to-Ride Program includes: teacher training and certification, a fleet of 24 Strider balance-to-pedal bikes, pedal conversion kits, student helmets, an instructor bike with pedal conversion kit and helmet, 2 rolling metal bike storage racks, and access to a resource portal and live support for the life of the program. Everything needed to teach kids how to ride a bike, in 8 easy lessons! This is notification is an opportunity, for any schools that have not received the AKB program or previously declined it, to have a last chance to complete the application form and get the program into their school. The application form can be found at https://allkidsbike.org/school-application/.  For questions call (605) 956-3877 or email info@allkidsbike.org.

In addition to our All Kids Bike Kindergarten PE Learn-to-Ride Program, we want to teach all ages and abilities the life-enhancing skill of how to ride a bike. Learn more about All Abilities Bike Inclusive Learn-to-Ride Program at www.allabilitiesbike.org.