Pearson has identified a labeling error in the Spring 2025 ND A+ Summative Assessment Science Individual Student Reports (ISRs) for grades 4 and 8. Specifically, the reporting category labels for Earth and Space Science and Life Science were inadvertently swapped.
It’s important to note that the student data file and the ISR scale scores and performance levels were reported accurately. The labeling error affects only the second and third reporting categories in the ISRs for grades 4 and 8.
The issue has been corrected, and updated ISRs are now available in ADAM. Because districts and schools are responsible for printing and distributing ISRs, we ask that you reprint and/or redistribute any ISRs previously printed or shared, ensuring students and families receive the corrected versions.
NDDPI would like to provide advance notice that instant score reporting for ELA will not be available during the 2026 ND A+ Summative Assessment administration.
NDDPI, in partnership with Pearson, is adding new test content related to the Language Usage cluster within the Writing strand of the ELA content area. This enhancement requires additional analyses and quality-control measures to be completed before student scores can be released to educators, parents, and students.
To ensure the highest level of accuracy and fairness, these analyses must be conducted using data that is fully representative of North Dakota’s student population, including demographic characteristics. For this reason, the timeline for these analyses and checks have been scheduled based on when we expect to have representative statewide data, using last year’s administration timeline as a guide.
We remain committed to providing student score reports as quickly as possible while maintaining the integrity and quality of the assessment process and the results provided. We anticipate releasing ELA results in mid- to late May 2026. This delay applies only to ELA (reading and writing) results; the 2026 ND A+ Summative Assessment results for science and math will not be delayed.
Please take a moment to review the newly updated ELA blueprints for the ND A+ Summative Assessment.
These updates reflect the transition from a 10-point writing rubric to the new North Dakota–specific 8-point writing rubric. As a result, the total number of points available on each ELA summative assessment has been reduced by two.
The updated blueprints provide the updated percentage of each reporting category tested based on points. To more accurately reflect how each reporting category contributes to the overall test score, you will notice slight percentage shifts from the original blueprint in the final column titled “Approximate Portion of the Test."
WriteUp! is now available for grades 3-12 at schools participating in the ND A+ Interim Assessments. The platform is accessible through LaunchPad and will remain available through the end of the school year.
WriteUp! is a new Al-powered platform where students can interact with North Dakota rubric-aligned writing prompts and receive instant, actionable feedback. The platform aims to enhance literacy outcomes by enabling students to reflect on and improve their writing in real time, thereby supporting the development of essential literacy skills. Teachers can enroll students into classes and utilize WriteUp! as a resource to guide their students' writing progress and integrate writing practice into classroom instruction. Each student has up to five attempts per writing prompt.
A quick guide to access WriteUp! and other resources, including a recorded walkthrough, can be found on the ND A+ Portal under the WriteUp! tab.
As we launch this new resource, our partners at Pearson welcome your feedback to guide future updates and enhancements. Feedback can be submitted directly within WriteUp! or through the form linked on the ND A+ Portal at any time. Your insights are invaluable in helping us continue to improve WriteUp! to better support and serve students and educators. We look forward to hearing from North Dakota teachers and students as they engage with the platform.
The ND A+ Winter Interim Assessment window is now open, and it’s essential to ensure all preparations are in place for a smooth and successful testing experience. Below are key steps, important dates, and helpful resources to support your planning and implementation.
Understanding the ND A+ Interim Assessment
The ND A+ Interim Assessment is administered up to three times a year—in the fall, winter, and spring—and is designed to measure student learning throughout the school year.
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Grades 3–8 and 10: Take fall and winter interims, followed by the spring summative assessment.
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Grades K–2 and 9: Required to take two interim assessments but may opt to take all three.
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Grades 11-12: Optional math interim assessment covering Algebra II content available.
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Test Duration: Untimed; typically takes around 15 minutes for students in grades K-2 and 30–40 minutes for students in grades 3-12 to complete.
Key Dates for 2025–2026
Winter Interim
📆 Dec. 8, 2025 – Feb. 20, 2026 (11 weeks, includes holidays)
Spring Interim
📆 March 16 – May 15, 2026 (9 weeks, includes holidays)
✅ Make-up tests must occur within these windows.
📌 Ensure at least 8 weeks of instruction between each test window.
Technology Systems & Requirements
Testing Platform
- Student assessments are delivered through the TestNav test delivery platform.
Admin & Educator Access
- Use LaunchPad for user authentication and single sign-on.
- Manage testing through ADAM assessment management platform.
Device Setup
- Ensure that TestNav is loaded on all student devices.
- Set up Spanish language packs for Windows devices if using Spanish version of the math assessment.
- Confirm system/network requirements via the ND A+ Portal – TestNav System Requirements.
Preparing Students
Help students feel confident by using the following tools:
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Practice Tests: Explore non-secure items and test formats.
🔗 Practice Tests | ND A+ Portal
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Student Readiness Tool (SRT): Familiarizes students with TestNav tools and layout.
🔗 SRT Home | ND A+ Portal
Support and Resources
ND A+ Portal
- Access resources, guides, and tools.
🔗 ND A+ Portal
ND A+ Interim Assessment Test Administration Manual
🔗 Administration Resources | ND A+ Portal
Pearson Help Desk
☎️ (888) 293-0318
💬 Chat Support Available
⏰ Available Monday – Friday, 6 a.m.–6 p.m. CST
ND A+ Office Hours
📅 Weekly Thursdays | 3–4 p.m. CT
🔗 Click here to join us!
📥 Download the .ics calendar invitation
North Dakota educators can now access two self-paced professional learning courses designed to deepen understanding and enhance classroom application of the ND A+ formative assessment tool, Navvy.
Navvy Essentials: Building a Strong Foundation
This introductory course is ideal for educators new to Navvy. Participants will:
- Understand the purpose and function of Navvy as a formative assessment tool
- Explore how Navvy supports student learning through intentional use
- Learn best practices for system-level implementation
- Integrate assessment insights into instruction and broader school efforts
Navvy Extensions: Applying Data for Instructional Impact
Designed for educators who have completed Navvy Essentials, this follow-up course helps translate knowledge into action. Participants will learn:
- How to use Navvy data to inform first instruction
- Strategies for effective collaboration around student learning evidence
- How to design personalized interventions that support targeted, effective teaching
Both courses are available asynchronously through the ND Educational Hub, allowing educators to engage with the content at their own pace.
📩 Questions? Contact the ND A+ Technical Assistance Center at ndaplus.help@k12.nd.us or call (701) 552-6183.
🎯Ready to get started? Register here.
Did you know...as the ND A+ assessment system continues to grow, LaunchPad single sign-on (SSO) is providing benefits not only for educators but for students as well. With SSO, students have quick and secure access to key tools—including Navvy, WriteUp!, and soon, the Student Engagement Survey—all in one place.
How Students Sign In
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Grades K–5: Students can log in using QR codes, making access quick and classroom-friendly.
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Grades 6–12: Students use the Student Sign In process.
For more detailed guidance on student sign-in options and setup, check out the supporting documents below.
Want to better understand the ND A+ (North Dakota Academic Progression of Learning and Understanding of Students) assessment system? A variety of helpful tools and resources are available to support your learning and implementation.
🔹 ND A+ Overview Video Get a quick introduction to the assessment system with a short video available on the ND A+ Portal.
🔹 ND A+ Blueprints Developed with input from North Dakota educators, these blueprints outline:
- The state standards assessed
- Reporting categories
- Distribution of items by reporting category and score points. They guide the design of both ND A+ Summative and ND A+ Interim assessments.
📍 Find them under the Administration Resources tab > Summative Resources on the ND A+ Portal.
🔹 Achievement Level Descriptors (ALDs) Also created with educator collaboration, ALDs describe what students at each achievement level are expected to know and do, based on North Dakota Content Standards.
📍 Available under Administration Resources > Summative Resources on the ND A+ Portal.
📌 Visit the ND A+ Portal to explore these and other helpful resources.
Monthly assessment newsletters are now conveniently stored in one central location: https://www.nd.gov/dpi/newsletters, under the Assessment Newsletter tab.
Starting with the 2025–2026 school year, newsletters will be available only for the current school year. This fresh-start approach helps keep content timely and relevant.
Be sure to check back regularly so you don’t miss any important updates!
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