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Introducing the College & Career Readiness Newsletter
The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI), in collaboration with North Dakota Career and Technical Education (NDCTE), is thrilled to announce the launch of a brand-new monthly College and Career Readiness newsletter for the 2025–26 school year! Designed to support career advisors, counselors, principals, CTE directors, and other key stakeholders, this monthly publication will deliver timely updates on resources, deadlines, grant opportunities, and more, all aimed at helping North Dakota students thrive for success in college, career, and beyond!
Contributors to this newsletter include the following: NDDPI, Bank of North Dakota, North Dakota Center for Distance Education (NDCDE), NDCTE, North Dakota University Systems (NDUS), Govenor's Office, ND Department of Commerce, Golden Path Solutions/Compass, and Career View.
Choice Ready Preliminary Results
NDDPI and NDCTE share in supporting the state vision that all students will graduate Choice Ready with the knowledge, skills and disposition to be successful. We are pleased to announce that once again, our state has demonstrated growth, and our Choice Ready rate increased. The state Choice Ready rate jumped two percentage points up to 73% of our students graduating Choice Ready.
This year, the state accountability reports will be slightly delayed due to the implementation of the new ND A+ assessment. Some Choice Ready data won’t be available until the final accountability data is complete. However, we are sharing the preliminary data that is currently available.
Schools can currently access their Choice Ready report through the ND Education Portal. This is the platform for raw data entry in regard to the Choice Ready report. It is important to remember that this raw data has not had accountability rules applied to it. NDDPI also intends to post the preliminary 2024-25 Choice Ready data within the K-12 Reporting and Analytics portal the week of August 25, 2025. At that time, school personnel are encouraged to review their secured information, which provides a series of unsuppressed data for each school.
Any questions regarding Choice Ready can be directed to the following staff here.
 North Dakota Launches Educators Rising Pilot to Inspire Future Teachers
Educators Rising is a professional organization dedicated to supporting students interested in education-related careers. It provides middle and high school students with opportunities to explore teaching as a career path, helping to cultivate future educators.
A pilot of five North Dakota high schools in the districts listed below will be implementing the Educators Rising program in the 2025-26 school year.
- Hazen Public School District
- Williston Public School District
- Fargo Public School District
- Northern Cass School District
- Watford City School District
Staff from the five school districts participated in training in early August and are now preparing for implementation in the fall.
A new website has been created to share information.
ND Scholarship Updates
North Dakota high school students can earn a $6,000 scholarship by meeting enhanced academic and career-readiness goals. The North Dakota Scholarship builds on the Choice Ready framework, requiring completion of Essential Skills and two of three pathways: Postsecondary, Workforce, or Military Ready.
Recent legislation adds new options, including teaching and military course pathways, plus an NDA+ test alternative to the ACT for the Class of 2027, without adding extra requirements.
To learn more about these exciting changes, click here.
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Compass Supports Student's Four-Year Rolling Plan, Choice Ready, and Career Exploration
NDDPI is excited to partner with Golden Path Solutions and their application Compass (embedded within RUReady.ND.gov) for another year of building and tracking students’ Four-Year Rolling Plans, a key part of the North Dakota Choice Ready framework. We’ve just launched a class in the ND Educational Hub to help educators update their class lists for the 2025-26 school year and build a plan for rolling out Compass. Completion of “Managing the Four-Year Rolling Plan in Compass by Golden Path Solutions” also enables school professionals to earn one professional development credit from Valley City State University.
Compass also helps students explore careers, identify strengths, connect with employers, and access work-based learning opportunities. It links students to more than 600 employers, nearly 300 hands-on experiences, 100 career profiles, and 30 college programs. By analyzing students’ classes, activities, and interests, Compass generates Holland Codes to match them with personalized career paths. A short video on YouTube walks students through updating their profiles, discovering career options, and engaging with employers.
For more information, contact Laura Glasser with NDCTE or Patrick Mineer with Golden Path Solutions.
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 RUReady.ND.gov Essentials Workshop
In-Person Training for Education Professionals
Are you new to RUReady.ND.gov or need a quick refresher? Join us this September for a free, in-person workshop designed specifically for professionals who support students with education and career planning.
Whether you’re a counselor, career advisor, teacher, work-based learning coordinator, administrator, or any other professional guiding students through their education and career planning, this beginner-level workshop will equip you with the essential knowledge and tools to begin using RUReady.ND.gov effectively with your students.
To learn more and register, click here.
For more information about RUReady.ND.gov, contact Laura Glasser, at (701) 328-9733.
 New Easy Application Process for Dual Credit Assistance from BND
Bank of North Dakota (BND) offers a dual credit assistance program to help eligible students cover course-related expenses, including application fees, tuition, and books. The application process is now conveniently available through PowerSchool.
To apply, students can log into the ND Education Portal on PowerSchool, click their name, and complete the application. BND will notify applicants of their approval status within one to three business days.
For eligibility requirements, application steps and more details, click here.
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 Educator Pathway Program: Preparing Future Teachers in ND
The Educator Pathway program is an opportunity for high school students interested in entering the teaching field after graduation. The Educator Pathway program includes five classes students can choose to take to help prepare them to earn a degree in teaching by completing dual credit courses while still in high school. The program is available to any school district in ND that would like to include college-level classes on education/teaching in their high school curriculum. Currently there are four participating universities. Mayville State, Minot State, Valley City State, and the University of Mary.
In the 2024–25 school year, over 250 students enrolled in Educator Pathway courses.
For more information, visit NDDPI’s Educator Pathway webpage.
 Start Exploring with CareerViewXR
Jump into the heart of a career from anywhere, at any time with CareerViewXR. These virtual field trips are free for all North Dakota middle and high school students through RUReady, thanks to generous in-kind sponsorships from CareerViewXR and industry partners.
Educators: explore our free, asynchronous PD course. Optional graduate credit is available. View flyer here.
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Forging Future Military Leaders: NDCDE Launches $20 Military Prep Courses for ND Students
The North Dakota Center for Distance Education (NDCDE) continues to expand access to high-quality, career-aligned virtual learning through its Military Preparation Program—an initiative designed to support students interested in pursuing military service after graduation.
Now listed under the North Dakota Choice Ready framework (as of December 2024) and included in state scholarship requirements effective July 1, the courses offer students a unique, low-cost opportunity to prepare for both military and postsecondary success.
Two foundational courses are now live in the NDCDE online store for just $20 each for state residents, thanks to a North Dakota legislative appropriation:
• Introduction to Military Careers: This course introduces students to the history, structure, and mission of the U.S. military, including the National Guard and Reserves. It emphasizes leadership, ethics, and the military's role in national defense.
• ASVAB Preparation: This course builds academic and soft skills needed to succeed on the ASVAB and in military careers. It covers math, English, science, mechanics, and test-taking strategies.
To ensure that course content meets military readiness standards, NDCDE has engaged a recently retired National Guard expert to help guide curriculum design and development. Over 50 students have already enrolled in these new offerings, reflecting growing interest across the state.
Additional courses are planned for release in 2025-26, including:
• Military Health & Fitness
• Career Foundations in Military Leadership
New Career Growth Planner Coming Soon
NDDPI has expanded its partnership with MetaMetrics (Lexile & Quantile Provider) to include the MetaMetrics Growth Planner, a tool designed to help students understand the reading and math demands of various careers. We will be adding two new functions inside the RUReady student profiles. The first function is straightforward, as the Lexile & Quantile (LQ) for each student will be brought into the platform automatically. The second function will show projected and recommended LQ growth values based on career-specific expectation zones. In other words, a student can navigate to the Skills Needed section and select an occupation (e.g., Architect). The page will display the average salary, education needed, job outlook, LQ expectation zones, projected growth, and recommended growth. The work to add this new section has started, and more information will be shared when it is ready.
Please click here for a preview.
GEAR UP Grant Expands College Readiness for ND Students
NDDPI has submitted an application for a GEAR UP grant, a discretionary federal grant program, to support approximately 3,000 students from low socio-economic populations. The program aims to boost academic achievement and help prepare them for postsecondary education by offering tutoring, remedial coursework, mentorship, Dual Credit/AP reimbursement, career counseling, and scholarships. Grant awards to be announced in September 2025.
To learn more, click here.
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Central Dakota Student Career Expo Debuts
Join over 2,000 high school students at the Bismarck Event Center on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, for first annual Central Dakota Student Career Expo that connects education with opportunity. Whether you're showcasing your business, mentoring future talent, or championing local growth, this is your chance to inspire the next generation and shape North Dakota’s workforce from the ground up.
To learn more and register, click here.
Every Student Counts Every Pathway Matters
In North Dakota, graduation isn’t just a finish line; it’s a launchpad. Through the Alternate Choice Ready Pathways, students with significant cognitive disabilities are equipped with the skills, independence, and opportunities they need to thrive after high school. By presuming competence and providing equitable pathways to success, North Dakota is ensuring that every student is valued, prepared, and ready to contribute to their community.
To learn more, click here.
Launch My Life ND: Your One-Stop Resource for Life After High School
Launch My Life ND is a collaborative website created by North Dakota agencies to support students with disabilities as they transition from high school to adulthood. Whether pursuing employment, college, or trade school, the site offers practical guidance for every path.
Explore topics like supported decision-making, SSI, workplace skills, and more. It’s also a great option for a T-2 Activity! View flyer here.
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Major ACT Changes Ahead—Here’s What You Need to Know
Starting April 2025, the ACT is getting a makeover: a shorter test, more time per question, and a revamped Composite score that drops the Science section. Whether you're a student, parent, or educator, these updates could change how you prep and plan.
Want the full breakdown, helpful resources, and expert guidance? Click here.
College Ready Program Saves Students Time and Tuition
North Dakota high schools can now offer a free online English and math program for students who haven’t met college benchmarks. After completing personalized modules and scoring at least 70% on a post-test, students qualify for college-level courses avoiding costly remediation.
With an 85% completion rate and strong score gains, the program also supports graduation credit and dual credit eligibility. No lesson planning needed; facilitators monitor progress, and NDDPI covers all fees.
To learn more, click here or check out the CREAM website here.
For more information, contact Harmony Richman at (701) 845-7198 or Davonne Eldredge at (701) 328-4525.
AP Coordinator Webinar Series Kicks Off
NDDPI and College Board are launching a new AP Coordinator Webinar Series for the 2025–26 school year. These sessions will support AP Coordinators with timely tasks and best practices.
Register here and get a head start on a successful AP year.
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