Public Data Release on Insights

The statewide school accountability process for the 2023-2024 school year is complete. School accountability report information was placed on the public Insights dashboard on Friday, September 13, 2024.

All North Dakota public schools should now complete the following notification requirements in federal law. Additional information is available on our website.

• Parent Notification
• Share with Stakeholders
• Dashboard Notification

If you have any questions, please contact Laurie Matzke at (701) 328-2284 or Amanda Peterson at (701) 328-3545.

We Did it Again!

The 2023-2024 school accountability reports are now final. 

ND high schools have consistently shown growth since the inception of the Choice Ready Framework in 2016.

The Choice Ready growth rate jumped another 5 points up to 71% of our students graduating Choice Ready!

Clarification on Para-to-Teacher Programs

Currently, there are two programs to support paras in becoming licensed teachers.

• Registered Apprenticeship Program for Teachers (RAP-T), which is funded by the State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula Grant from the US Department of Labor.

Update on Choice Ready Grants

The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) is working to process the 2024-2025 Choice Ready applications. 

• The application notices will be processed in three separate batches. 
• Applicants will receive notification regardless of whether services are awarded.
• The ACT bootcamp notices were emailed out on September 13, 2024.
• Next, the NDDPI is working on the contracts with ND colleges/universities and CDE to offer dual credit and online courses, as it is time sensitive and contracts must be fully executed my September 30, 2024.
• The notices to applicants for dual credit and online courses may not go out until the first week in October.

If you have any questions, please contact Laurie Matzke at (701) 328-2284.

ESSA Committee Meeting Held

Although technically the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) law has expired, there is no discussion at this time of a reauthorization. The NDDPI continues to meet annually with our ESSA Implementation Committee to discuss the need for changes or updates to our plan. We recently met with this committee on September 12, 2024.

• Access meeting minutes here.
• Access the recording here.
• ESSA Implementation Committee members.

Will There be a Government Shutdown?

 Each year, Congress appropriates federal dollars to fund the federal government, provide school districts funding, and fund numerous programs and initiatives. Fiscal year 2024 ends September 30, 2204.

With only a little more than a week to go, it is unlikely a solution will be found that could pass the House and the Senate and be signed into law by President Biden. Therefore, it is anticipated that a continuing resolution will be enacted to buy more time to come to an agreement. 

We anxiously wait to see whether the government shuts down on October 1, 2024, or if there is a continuing resolution to keep the government functioning while Congress further debates future funding. 

ND FIRST: Final Public Comment Invitation

Superintendent Baesler invites North Dakotans to provide public comment on the implementation of Senate Bill 2254, which NDDPI has deemed ND FIRST (Fostering Improved Results for School Transformation). The materials on the website are being shared with all stakeholders in the spirit of transparency. All documents are in draft form and subject to revisions through various internal and external feedback sessions. Please use this anonymous form to provide feedback between September 18, 2024, and October 11, 2024.

If you have any questions or feedback, contact Amanda Peterson.

Long-Term Substitute Teachers

If your school is unable to hire qualified staff and needs to use a long-term substitute for a semester or longer, follow these steps to report the information accurately:

Contact ESPB: Before entering the substitute’s information, call ESPB at (701) 328-9641. They may have options to help the substitute become qualified.

For PowerSchool Users:

• Enter the substitute’s first and last name only in PowerSchool.
• Do not enter salary or teacher license numbers.
• In the "State Reporting Information - ND" page, set to "Exclude from State Reporting."

For STARS Users:

• Manually enter the substitute in the MIS03 report by selecting “Add Long Term Substitute” at the top of the MIS03 page.

Take RUReady to the Next Level Workshop - Register Today

During the advanced RUReady training, Patrick Mineer from Golden Path Solutions will cover several different aspects of Compass embedded within RUReady. Topics will include:

• Learn how to use the Compass Profile for managing the 4-Year Rolling Plan per guidance from the NDDPI.
• How Compass can help you and your students connect with employers, careers, and colleges for post-graduation planning.
• How Compass and RUReady can help you manage work-based learning.
• We’ll discuss strategies for how you can get employers in your region more involved with your schools, including best practices around career fairs, guest speaking, and other events.
• Work-based learning from the employer perspective – this segment will provide the opportunity to interact with and ask questions of an employer currently offering work-based learning opportunities.

You’ll also learn more about additional features in RUReady.ND.gov that can help you prepare students for success by providing the resources and experiences they need for education and career planning.

To register for the workshop, click here. 

Learn more about Career Resource workshops offered by North Dakota Career and Technical Education, visit:  www.cte.nd.gov/crnworkshops.

North Dakota Standards-Based Learning Leadership Training Series

The North Dakota Regional Education Associations will be providing Part II of the North Dakota Standards Based Learning School Leadership training. This training will assist K-12 leadership teams including educators, instructional coaches, and local school leaders with the implementation of standards-based teaching and learning. The training will help leaders develop implementation action steps, examine school strengths and weaknesses, and provide standards-based learning practices focusing on providing instruction for student success. This three-session virtual training will be held on October 7, 2024, November 4, 2024, and December 2, 2024. Click here to register.

Title I 15% Limitation of Funds and Waiver

Under federal regulations, districts are entitled to access Title I funds for a full 15 months (until September 30, 2024) before a limitation on remaining funds applies. Click here to learn more. 

Welcome to the NEW ND Educational Hub! 

The ND Educational Hub is an online platform that houses professional development and resources in one centralized, easy-to-access location. The NDDPI, along with all six North Dakota Regional Educational Agencies and other partner agencies, hosts professional development and continuing education classes in synchronous, asynchronous, and hybrid class delivery. New content is being developed and will continue to be added to the site.

Click here to view our course catalog and enroll today!

**Existing users of the old site will need to create a new account but can use their previous credentials.

NDDPI Seeks Qualified Individuals to Develop Financial Literacy Content Standards

 The NDDPI will begin developing Financial Literacy Content Standards in October 2024. 

The NDDPI seeks qualified individuals to serve as writing committee members from North Dakota K-12 schools, districts, and higher educational institutions. The committee is tasked with developing the state's new Financial Literacy content standards.

Click here to learn more. To apply, please complete the application for Selection of Content Specialist Committee Members and submit it to dpiacademicsupp@nd.gov by September 27, 2024.

Please contact Davonne Eldredge with questions regarding the writing committee application process.

Virtual Training Opportunities for Advanced Placement Educators

The NDDPI is excited to sponsor two virtual workshops for teachers of Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

AP Cross-Curricular Virtual Workshop

• Date: November 21, 2024
• Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM CT
• Cost: All registration costs are covered by NDDPI
• Registration closes November 7, 2024
• Register here 

This workshop equips educators with skills spanning multiple AP courses and exams. Participants will explore teaching strategies for understanding and transfer, gain insights into AP skills and practices, learn how to provide effective practice and feedback and discover how to leverage AP resources to enhance skill development.

Developing Quantitative (Scientific and Mathematical) Arguments Virtual Workshop

• Date: January 15, 2025
• Time: 9:00 AM-4:00 PM CT
• Cost: All registration costs are covered by NDDPI
• Registration closes on January 2, 2025
• Register here

In this workshop, participants will learn how to help students analyze and interpret quantitative data effectively. Topics include assessing student abilities to interpret quantitative arguments, identifying common learner misconceptions, utilizing AP Exam rubrics to reinforce skills, and implementing strategies to enhance data analysis and interpretation skills.

If you have questions about these training opportunities, please contact Davonne Eldredge at (701) 328-4525.

Hwy/Rail Crossing Safety

The NDDOT is requesting your assistance to identify locations within your jurisdiction where rail/highway crossing safety could be improved. The information provided should contain the location of the grade crossing by street or road name and the distance and direction to the nearest town(s). Please be specific about your concern or suggestion for improvement.

NDDOT has annual federal funds available for safety enhancement projects at rail/highway at-grade crossings used for the installation of active warning devices (e.g. flashing light signals with gates), crossing signs, and crossing surface improvements.

Please remit your concerns or suggestions before December 31, 2024, so they can be included in the annual review process to Jim Styron.

PowerSchool Workshops 

Monday, September 23

• PowerSchool Lock Reporting Terms via Teams, 10:00 AM CT, Lock Terms
• MISO3 Refresher via Teams, 1:30 PM CT, MISO3

Tuesday, September 24

• PowerSchool Historical Grades via Teams, 1:00 PM CT, Historical Grades
• PowerSchool Dates, Dates, and More Dates via Teams, 10:00 AM CT, Dates
• PowerSchool New Admin in Devils Lake, 8:30 AM CT, New Admin

Wednesday, September 25

• PowerSchool Standards Implementation in Wahpeton, 8:30 AM CT, Standards

Thursday, September 26

• PowerSchool Object Reports Help Day in Wahpeton, 8:30 AM CT, Object Reports
• PowerSchool Creating and Saving Lists via Teams, 10:30 AM CT, Lists

New Sustainable Source of Reimbursement for School Districts Through The North Dakota Medicaid Administrative Claiming (Mac) Program

The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (NDDHHS) is working with Public Consulting Group (PCG) to implement a new program that will allow North Dakota school districts to receive additional Medicaid reimbursement for activities that your staff are ALREADY performing regularly. Click here to learn more about this program.

Free Webinar on The Anxious Generation Movement

Tuesday, September 24, 2024 @ 2:00 PM CT

Adolescents are in a mental health crisis. Schools and education departments can take the lead in setting new norms that will roll back the phone-based childhood and restore more free play and independence. In this webinar, social psychologist Dr. Jonathan Haidt, Author of the Anxious Generation will walk educators through the research on our urgent youth mental health crisis, present four norms for collective action, and outline what schools can do now to improve mental health for kids and teens. Click here to register.

Win Big with Girls Who Code Clubs

Girls Who Code Clubs are free computer science programs for all 3rd-12th graders to learn to code and change the world. Club Facilitators get everything they need to launch, lead, and grow their Clubs—no computer science experience required! 

In addition to the free curriculum, this back-to-school season, Girls Who Code is giving away Fandango Movie Tickets and a snack budget to see the new film, The Wild Robot.

Funding Your Plan 

Save the Date: November 20, 2024

Secure Your Team’s Spot Soon - Limited Space Available!

Back by Popular Demand: How will you sustain your best investments post-ESSER funds? Bring your decision-making team to Bismarck for a deep dive, hands-on workshop to identify a solution to your specific funding issue(s) using a resource designed to help financial decision-making teams identify solutions to disappearing federal funds. CREA and NDDPI are teaming up to provide this barrier-busting walk-through of the Funding Your Plan Resource. Business managers, superintendents, principals, special education directors, and other key funding decision-makers should mark their calendars for this team event. Registration information can be found on the website here.

Contact Amanda Peterson or Luke Schaefer with any questions.

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.

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.

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