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NDDPI and Pearson recently shared an important update regarding the ND A+ Summative Assessment results in English language arts (ELA) and mathematics for spring 2026. Current results should be considered preliminary as a new standard setting process will take place this summer.
A comprehensive review identified two key issues: first, calculator availability on certain grade 6–8 mathematics items during the 2025 administration impacted student performance and scores and the subsequent cut scores established during the 2025 standard setting process. Second, changes made to the ELA assessment in 2026 had a greater impact on student results than originally anticipated. Together, these findings prompted the decision to repeat the standard setting process.
To ensure ND A+ Summative Assessment results remain accurate, valid, and reliable, NDDPI will reconvene educator committees in late July to participate in the standard setting process. As a result, spring 2026 ELA and mathematics scores and performance levels may be revised across all reporting levels—student, school, district, and state—and related reporting and accountability timelines will be adjusted.
Educators interested in participating in the standard setting process are encouraged to get involved. Read the full ND A+ Summative Assessment Update for additional details, timelines, and next steps.
As in previous years, public school districts are asked to communicate their intended path for interim assessment administration for the 2026–2027 school year. This information is being collected through the 2026–2027 Interim Assessment Option Survey, which was distributed on April 28, 2026, to district superintendents and principals. The interim assessment requirement, as laid out in North Dakota Century Code § 15.1-21-17.1, provides two paths for public school districts to choose from: using the state-provided option (using the ND A+ Interim Assessments) or selecting an interim assessment(s) from the state-approved list.
Considerations:
- If a district chooses, the selection of interim assessments may be made at the school level rather than at the district level. Districts may create a plan for some schools and grade levels to participate in the ND A+ Interim Assessments while other schools in the district administer interim assessments from the state-approved list. School-specific and grade-level decisions may be noted in the 2026–2027 Interim Assessment Option Survey.
- Districts with schools participating in the ND A+ Interim Assessments will also have access to the ND A+ formative assessment tools, Navvy and WriteUp!.
Public school districts are asked to communicate their intended path for interim assessment administration for the 2026–2027 school year by completing the survey. Please designate one representative per district (or school, if applicable) to complete and submit the survey.
We kindly ask that the 2026–2027 Interim Assessment Option Survey be completed as soon as possible.
The 2026–2027 assessment windows are now available on the NDDPI website. Be sure to review the updated schedule as you prepare your testing plans.
End-of-Year Reminder
To retain a complete record of all Navvy Check activity from the 2025–2026 school year, export the All Student Results report by June 30, 2026.
The report will remain available for the 2025–2026 school year until June 30, 2026. When exporting, be sure to select the appropriate date range to capture the full school year and apply any relevant filters, including Check Type, Teacher, Class, or School, as needed.
For additional guidance, refer to the Navvy End of Year Checklist available on the ND A+ Portal > Navvy.
Navvy Professional Learning
Professional Development for the 2026–2027 School Year
Explore upcoming Navvy professional development opportunities designed to support successful implementation and instructional use.
On-Demand Learning
Access the Navvy Essentials and Extensions self-paced courses through the ND Educational Hub at your convenience.
Looking for More Support with Navvy Implementation?
Join one of the weekly Navvy Office Hours with Pearson's Navvy Success Partners:
- Tuesdays, 9:30–10:15 a.m. CT on Microsoft Teams | Join here
- Thursdays, 1:00–1:45 p.m. CT on Microsoft Teams | Join here
Interested in Sharing Your Navvy Story?
Pearson’s North Dakota Success Partners are looking for educators, schools, and districts interested in co-presenting about their Navvy implementation and adoption stories at upcoming events:
- WERC Fall Educators Conference
- NDCEL Fall Conference
If you or someone on your team is interested, reach out to Amanda.Drahn@pearson.com.
Apply to Become a 2026–2027 Navvy Champion
Applications are now open for the 2026–2027 cohort of Navvy Champions. With 25 Champions selected nationally, 2–5 spots have been reserved specifically for North Dakota educators.
This opportunity is ideal for educators and instructional leaders who are enthusiastic about their Navvy adoption and implementation and want to directly influence the future of the product's design and priorities.
Interested applicants can apply here before June 30, 2026.
Navvy Alignment and Item Review
NDDPI, in partnership with Pearson, is seeking North Dakota educators to participate in a review of Navvy reading and mathematics items during the week of Oct. 13, 2026. This review will support the ongoing alignment of Navvy content to the North Dakota Content Standards, achievement level descriptors, grade-level expectations, and the broader ND A+ assessment system.
Participating educators will evaluate item alignment, accuracy, and quality, as well as the instructional and assessment value of the items. Up to eight educators will be selected for each reading and mathematics grade-band committee (grades K–2, 3–5, 6–8, and high school).
Participation Details
- One-week asynchronous, independent pre-review of a sample set of items, conducted Sept. 28–Oct. 2, 2026
- Two-day synchronous, facilitated virtual review during the week of Oct. 13, 2026
Participant Compensation
- $225 honorarium for completing the pre-review work
- $225 per virtual meeting day
Interested in Participating?
Educators interested in participating in the Navvy item review are encouraged to submit their interest here.
NDDPI and Pearson are seeking North Dakota educators to participate in upcoming Educator Review Meetings. Educators are invited to participate in three upcoming opportunities to contribute their expertise to the ongoing development, quality, and continuous improvement of the ND A+ assessment system.
Standard Setting for the ND A+ Summative Assessment
Standard setting is the process used to establish performance levels, or cut scores, for the ND A+ Summative Assessment. These cut scores determine the minimum scale score students must receive to be classified into a certain performance or achievement level.
Participating educators will collaborate to:
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Recommend cut scores for the ND A+ Summative Assessment in ELA and math.
- Help set the parameters for acceptable grade-level rigor, student expectations, and applicable ND A+ Summative Assessment scores.
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Three-day, in-person review on Monday, July 27–Wednesday, July 29, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CDT each day
- The meeting location will be announced once finalized
- $225 honorarium per in-person meeting day
- Lodging will be provided, and mileage to and from the meetings will be reimbursed
- Breakfast and lunch will be provided each day at the meeting location
- Dinner expenses will be reimbursed
Educator Review of Non-Summative Grade-Level Blueprints
Participating educators will review ELA and math interim blueprints. The review will focus on kindergarten through grade 2 for ELA and kindergarten through grade 2, grade 9, and grades 11–12 for math. Educators will evaluate the blueprints, which are then used to support alignment determinations, inform test design, and guide item development.
Participation Details
- Two-day synchronous, facilitated virtual review on July 20–21, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. CDT each day
Participant Compensation
- $225 per virtual meeting day
Kindergarten, Grade 1, and Grade 2 Educator Item Review
Participating educators will review newly developed ELA and math items for the ND A+ Interim Assessments and provide feedback to ensure the items align with and appropriately measure the North Dakota Content Standards.
Participation Details
- One-week asynchronous, independent pre-review of assessment items in ABBI
- Two-day synchronous, facilitated virtual review during the week of Sept. 14, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. CDT each day
Participant Compensation
- $225 honorarium for completing the pre-review work
- $225 per virtual meeting day
Interested in Participating?
Educators interested in participating in any of these opportunities are encouraged to contact Kara Welk at (701) 328-1838 for additional information or to express interest.
Did you know...that the 2025–2026 ND A+ Assessment System Survey received 281 responses from educators and staff across the state. Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences, insights, and feedback.
Your input provides valuable perspectives on the strengths of the ND A+ assessment system—including the ND A+ Summative Assessment, ND A+ Interim Assessments, and the formative tools Navvy and WriteUp!—while also helping identify opportunities for growth and improvement.
We are currently reviewing all survey feedback and analyzing key themes to guide future enhancements to the assessment system. Each response plays an important role in our continuous improvement efforts and helps ensure we provide meaningful support for teaching and learning in North Dakota classrooms.
Thank you again for your participation and your continued commitment to strengthening assessment practices for students across North Dakota.
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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