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BRIDGE Update
Data Migration
NDDPI has brought on Aurora Educational Technology (AET) to lead the BRIDGE data migration effort. AET is now extracting data for the first two batches—covering schools, calendars, schedules, census, transcripts, behavior, and user accounts—with district access expected beginning April 8. Infinite Campus will resume trial site delivery starting April 14, coordinating directly with districts.
Read the full April 1 update here.
Summer School
We appreciate the amount of work the districts and schools are already doing to prepare for the transition to Infinite Campus. To help ease the burden, we have developed a couple of options to help schools track and report Summer School data. Districts will need to decide on either option, but not both.
Both options will require the district to submit the courses for pre-approval (MIS03 submission). Districts will also need to track the credits received by the student either by finishing up in PowerSchool prior to final data migration or separately to be imported into Infinite Campus at the start of the next school year.
Option 1 is for districts to input the enrollment data into STARS (either import or direct input) as you’ve done in previous years. There is guidance on the NDDPI website.
Option 2 is for districts to request a spreadsheet from NDDPI listing approved courses. Districts will still need to submit their MIS03 for pre-approval prior to starting a course as you’ve done in previous years. Here is a sample spreadsheet. All schools in the district should be submitted back to NDDPI securely (either encrypted or via secure mail transfer). The school can break up the spreadsheet by school for ease of input but should combine into a single spreadsheet for submission to NDDPI. Schools will also need to attach a student roster listing the students that took the course.
If you have questions, please contact Steve Snow at 701-328-2236.
Reminder: School/District Reports Survey – Due April 10
We’re continuing our work to modernize data and streamline reporting for schools and districts. Your feedback is extremely helpful.
This brief survey asks about the reports you use most, the challenges you face in current reporting processes, and which areas would benefit most from automation. Staff involved in submitting reports are encouraged to participate.
BRIDGE Knowledge Base
NDDPI has launched the new BRIDGE Knowledge Base, a streamlined hub to access clear, up‑to‑date information about the BRIDGE initiative. It offers easy navigation, answers to common questions, and expanding resources to support school teams.
Explore it here.
Office Hours
If your district implementation team has project questions, we strongly encourage you to join us for BRIDGE Office Hours. This is our monthly open forum designed for district personnel and partners to get real-time answers about the BRIDGE project.
You can also reach our project team directly at BRIDGE@nd.gov.
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2025-2026 Annual Schoolwide Title I Reporting Guidance
NDDPI hosted a webinar on March 26, 2026, providing guidance on annual Title I Schoolwide Reporting. Webinar topics included new changes, guidance, and a refresher on how to submit reporting. Below are links to the recording, PowerPoint, and additional resources.
REMINDER: 2025-2026 Annual Schoolwide Title I Reporting is due during the window of June 1 – June 15, 2026, in Cognia Diagnostics.
2025-2026 Requirements for Annual Title I Schoolwide Reporting: webinar was held Thursday, March 26, 2026. To view the recording, click here. To view the PowerPoint slide deck, click here.
Additional Resources:
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Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026: Midyear Schoolwide Title I Reporting Review – Recording: click here | Slides: click here
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Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025: TA/SW Record-Keeping/Monitoring – Recording: click here | Slides: click here
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Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025: Schoolwide Comprehensive Needs Assessment – Recording: click here | Slides: click here
Questions? Please contact Michelle Siegfried at (701) 328-3544.
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Upcoming Changes Virtual Education Guidelines
The Virtual Education Task Force has completed its spring work, and NDDPI is preparing to release updated Virtual Education Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the 2026–2027 school year. This updated guidance will give districts maximum time to plan for the upcoming school year.
A key change for the coming year will be new guidelines regarding district‑paid North Dakota Center for Distance Education (NDCDE) courses. This represents a shift from the current “district discretion in no instances” approach and from previous years’ “district discretion in all instances.” The new model will allow district discretion in some, but not all, student‑requested, district‑paid NDCDE courses. The intent is to strike a balanced approach that supports student access while maintaining appropriate local accountability.
The forthcoming FAQ update will reflect:
- Minor technical edits, which do not change implementation expectations;
- A link to the NDCDE District Oversight Checklist, a resource designed to help districts structure readiness conversations and local approval processes; and
- A new template application for students requesting district‑paid NDCDE courses. This application is meant to complement—not replace—the standard NDCDE registration process. The school district will use this application to determine whether the student’s request meets the requirements for the district to pay for the NDCDE course.
More information, including links to the updated guidance and application, will be provided in an upcoming edition of the NDDPI Messenger.
ND COUNTS Updates
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Professional Learning: The upcoming professional learning series, Essentials of Math Instruction, will be introduced in early Summer 2026. This professional learning is designed to support educators in implementing high‑quality, research‑aligned mathematics instruction across grade levels. Additional details, including session dates, registration information, and supporting materials, will be shared soon. For more information, see the linked flyer.
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Admin Rules: The updated Administrative Rules related to ND COUNTS were formally approved and became effective on April 1, 2026. These updates reflect current statewide expectations, clarify program requirements, and support consistent implementation across districts. The full text of the rules and related resources can be accessed on our website.
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Interim Education Committee Hearing: The Interim Education Committee convened yesterday, during which NDDPI provided an overview of recent progress and ongoing initiatives connected to ND COUNTS. The presentation included updates on implementation supports and upcoming statewide activities. A recording of the meeting is available for viewing.
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES |
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PowerSchool End of Year Workshops
EduTech is pleased to announce the upcoming Pre–End of Year and End of Year workshops. Please review the information below carefully to ensure you register for the correct sessions. All workshops will be held via Microsoft Teams. If you have any questions about your workshop options, please submit a ticket to the NDIT Helpdesk.
Pre–End of Year Workshops (Requirements for Ending the School Year)
To help districts complete the required steps before attending an End of Year session, EduTech is offering several Pre–End of Year Requirements workshops.
A step-by-step document will be emailed to the Student Data Services list in early April. Districts may complete these items independently, but guided support is available. To register, click Requirements for Ending the School Year.
PowerLunch Exports Workshops
Districts using PowerLunch may register for dedicated sessions focused on PowerLunch export processes.
Please note: PowerLunch exports are not covered in the Pre–End of Year Requirements sessions, as not all districts use PowerLunch. If assistance is needed, please register for a PowerLunch End of Year Exports workshop.
End of Year Workshops – Required for All Districts
All End of Year workshops will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams.
• Each district must ensure all participating schools register for the same date and time.
• At least one representative per school is required. (For example: a district with an elementary, middle, and high school will need three participants.)
• Capacity is limited, so early registration is encouraged.
To view available sessions and register, click End of Year. Make sure all district representatives select the same session.
Additional Training
Thursday, April 9
• PowerScheduler Load Help Day – Minot | 9 a.m. CDT
• PowerSchool Troubleshooting Grades (via Microsoft Teams) | 1:30 p.m. CDT
ND Personalized Learning Workshop
Focus: Relevant Learning and Learner Supports
April 15, 2026 | 8 a.m.–3 p.m., CDT | Valley City State University, McCarthy Hall
Ready to make learning more meaningful for every student?
Join us for the ND Personalized Learning Workshop: Relevant Learning and Learner Supports. This isn’t a sit-and-get session. It’s a space to explore, test ideas and learn alongside peers. No pressure, no perfect starting point required.
- Explore what learner-centered, relevant learning looks like in practice.
- Build clarity around learning goals and supports.
- Connect student interests to real academic experiences.
- Walk away with next steps you can use right away.
Whether you're just getting started or building on early efforts, you'll leave with practical ideas and connection to educators doing this work alongside you.
Bonus: Support is available for time, travel, and participation (stipends, substitutes, and more).
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Month of the Military Child: Spirit Week
To honor the Month of the Military Child, the North Dakota National Guard Child & Youth Program is hosting a themed Spirit Week to celebrate the strength and resilience of military-connected youth.
• Tuesday, April 7 – Purple Up Day
Everyone is encouraged to wear purple, the color representing all military branches, to show support for military children.
• Wednesday, April 8 – Crazy Camo Day
Wear your favorite camouflage to celebrate the unique experiences of military families.
• Thursday, April 9 – Proud to Be an American Day
Show your patriotic spirit by wearing red, white, and blue.
• Friday, April 10 – Hats Off to the Military
Wear a hat as a simple way to honor service members and their families.
Spirit Week offers a fun opportunity for communities to recognize and appreciate the contributions of military children.
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The NDDPI Messenger is sent out on a weekly or as-needed basis. Visit our website to view previous NDDPI Messenger/Weekly Blast bulletins.
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