 A Message from the State Superintendent Levi Bachmeier
Greetings, North Dakota Educators!
As we approach the holiday season and I conclude my first month in this new role, I am filled with gratitude. It’s clearer to me each day that the strength of our schools comes from the dedicated people leading and teaching our students.
This year has presented both significant opportunities and real challenges for K–12 education across the state and nation. Yet as I look ahead, I’m optimistic and excited. Alongside the team at the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, and in expanded partnership with educators across the state, I believe we’re poised to continue building on past successes and lead the nation with America’s best schools.
In my early conversations with teachers, district leaders, and NDDPI team members, one theme rises consistently to the surface: decisions should be made through the lens of what is best for all students. As I continue to acclimate in my new role as state superintendent, I remain committed to that same student-first mindset. I promise you that student outcomes will stay at the center of our work and guide the priorities, decisions, and efforts of NDDPI in the months ahead; I welcome challenge on any decision that appears to stray from that commitment. High expectations and accountability for our state’s schools starts with me.
Thank you for all you do, and for the leadership you provide in your schools and communities.
Merry Christmas, happy holidays, have a wonderful winter break!
BRIDGE Updates
FAQs
Q: With the upcoming transition to Infinite Campus, will confidential counselor log entries be migrated, and will access to those entries remain protected?
A: Yes. Counselor log entries will be migrated into Infinite Campus and are not reported to the state. Districts will continue to have the authority to determine who has access to these log entries, and the same confidentiality and access protections will remain in place after the full transition to Infinite Campus.
Office Hours
If you missed this month's Office Hours, you can access the recordings in the links below:
Upcoming Announcements
Any time-sensitive or relevant information that arises during the holiday break will be shared outside of the regular NDDPI Messenger distribution. Regular NDDPI Messenger bulletins will resume on Jan. 8.
NDDPI Seeks Reviewers and Public Feedback on Draft Health Content Standards
NDDPI is reviewing and revising the North Dakota Health Content Standards with support from a committee of content specialists from K–12 schools and higher education institutions across the state. To ensure the standards reflect broad perspectives, NDDPI is inviting both committee participation and general public feedback on the first draft.
Review Committee
NDDPI is forming a statewide review committee of North Dakota community leaders, as well as representatives from business, industry, and labor sectors, and other interested citizens. This committee will review the draft standards and provide constructive feedback to the writing committee. The review committee will meet virtually on Jan. 14, 2026. The application deadline is Dec. 22, 2025.
Feedback
NDDPI invites all interested stakeholders—including educators, parents, community members, and industry representatives—to review the first draft of the standards and provide input through an online survey. These standards define the essential knowledge and skills students are expected to acquire at each stage of their education. They serve as a guide for student learning outcomes but do not prescribe specific teaching methods, curricula, or assessments.
Resources:
The public comment period is open through Jan. 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. For more information about the standards review process, contact Davonne Eldredge, assistant director of Academic Support.
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