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Census data show more than 100,000 North Dakotans have some college credits, but no degree. Unpaid tuition or other school debt is cited as one reason why it's hard for these individuals to re-enroll. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

ND looks to ease 'upskill' obstacles for former college students

This summer, colleges and universities will have to comply with a new federal rule and not withhold students' transcripts over unpaid tuition and …

High school basketball courts in North Dakota have been the scene of several reported racial taunting incidents over the past couple of years. Tribal advocates said discrimination by non-Native fans has been going on for decades. (Adobe Stock)

ND lawmaker: Racist taunts in HS sports need to stop

North Dakota high schools are in spring sports mode and there is lingering tension from winter sporting events, where Native American players endured …

In a 2022 national survey of LGBTQ+ youth ages 13-18, nearly 54% of trans and gender-expansive youth reported feeling unsafe in at least one school setting. (Adobe Stock)

Oklahoma tragedy felt by LGBTQ advocates in ND

LGBTQ advocates in North Dakota have joined a nationwide coalition demanding accountability over the death of a non-binary teen from Oklahoma…

Because of their large batteries, electric school buses can be used as backup power sources for utilities when they are not in use during the summer. (Adobe Stock)

'Checking under the hood' of the electric school bus movement

Most school buses on the nation's roadways are still powered by diesel engines but in North Dakota and elsewhere, there is hope about the push to …

In a national report evaluating states on how much they support public education, North Dakota earned 98 out of a possible 111 points. (Adobe Stock)

ND makes grade in national report evaluating public school support

North Dakota is sometimes swept up in national rhetoric about public schools. However, the state fares well in a new report looking at how much it …

When North Dakota lawmakers reconvene in 2025, they're expected to consider ideas from a task force about getting more teachers into classrooms. The panel is just beginning to hold discussions. (Adobe Stock)

ND task force zeroes in on teacher recruitment

This coming Thursday, a new task force will meet to advance discussions about boosting teacher recruitment and retention in North Dakota. The panel …

Cognia, a nongovernmental organization that accredits primary and secondary schools, says declining birth rates might make it harder for colleges and universities to maintain solid enrollment in the coming years. (Adobe Stock)

To boost enrollment, public university systems go big on tuition discounts

States like North and South Dakota are in a fierce battle to keep college affordable as public schools navigate the ebbs and flows of enrollment trend…

In a new educator union poll, North Dakota teachers say they don't feel district administrators, school boards and elected officials respect their opinions and experience. (Adobe Stock)

Poll: Teacher retention issue in ND not improving

Eighty-eight percent of North Dakota teachers feel that school districts will have a harder time keeping enough staff next school year, according to …

Supporters of enhancing cybersecurity education said it helps students be more mindful of the digital threats not only facing them but family and friends as well. (Adobe Stock)

ND schools prepare to weave in cybersecurity curriculum

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and in the near future North Dakota public school students will be more knowledgeable about the …

On its website, the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions offers a number of links for people who want to know more about financial literacy. (Adobe Stock)

Before taking on student debt, one expert suggests becoming 'money smart'

A student loan expert recommends that college-bound high schoolers take a financial literacy class as they consider pursuing higher education…

While several states adopted new school voucher bills this year, the Brookings Institution says another nine expanded existing programs. (Adobe Stock)

ND Public Schools State Their Case Amid Voucher Debate

New research is sharpening the focus on the debate over public funding for private school vouchers. And with North Dakota kids back in class…

In its most recent session, the North Dakota Legislature advanced nearly a dozen bills deemed hostile towards the LGBTQ community, including several new laws that advocates say unfairly target transgender students. (Adobe Stock)

ND Schools Prep for Laws Targeting Transgender Students

North Dakota school districts are making final preparations for the new academic year. But there are questions about what the environment will be …

Gallup officials said while their recent poll does not look at why Americans have less confidence these days in higher education, it is reasonable to think affordability issues are a likely factor. (Adobe Stock)

Amid Troubling Poll Numbers, ND College Carries Out New Vision

A new Gallup poll found Americans' confidence in higher education has fallen to 36%. It added to the headwinds facing colleges and universities…

Several groups representing Native American college students say the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to largely remove affirmative action from college admissions is

Tribal Education Groups Respond to SCOTUS Ruling on Admissions

Advocates for underrepresented college students continue to assess the fallout from last week's U.S. Supreme Court decision dealing with affirmative …

Native American advocates say this week's Supreme Court decision to uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act ultimately protects tribal culture and heritage by ensuring there will be continued efforts to keep Native children in their community environments if they're considered for adoption or foster care. (Adobe Stock)

Tribal Advocates Feel 'Relief' After SCOTUS ICWA Ruling

Tribal advocates are cheering a U.S. Supreme Court decision Thursday which allows a landmark law dealing with child welfare cases to stand. It …

Findings compiled by the Annie E. Casey Foundation give North Dakota high marks in some areas when it comes to child well-being, including kids' overall health. (Adobe Stock)

Policy Experts 'Look Under the Hood' for Child Well-Being in ND

An annual report measuring child well-being in the U.S. said several benchmarks have worsened. States like North Dakota fared better in the overall …

After seeing cuts in previous budgets, North Dakota's public colleges and universities are getting a funding boost from the Legislature this year. (Adobe Stock)

In Reading the Higher Education Room, ND Lawmakers Boost Support

More college students in the U.S. are "stopping out" and not re-enrolling, according to a new report. In North Dakota, state lawmakers hope their …

Supporters of providing no-cost school meals to all students argue that it helps them learn better, reduces stigma, and provides financial relief to working families. (Adobe Stock)

ND Lawmaker: Still Hope for Expanding School Meals

This week, the North Dakota Senate rejected a plan to expand eligibility for free school meals, but the idea has support from many agencies and …

Last fall, the American Library Association said the number of attempts to ban or restrict library resources in schools, universities and public libraries was on track to exceed record counts from 2021. (Adobe Stock)

ND Enters Fray Surrounding Content Ban for Libraries

North Dakota is expected to see continued debate in the coming weeks over a plan to ban certain items from public libraries. While the plan has its …

This year's debate over school funding in North Dakota is expected to consider formula changes to deal with declining enrollment. (gpointstudio/freepik)

ND Education Funding Debate Comes Into Focus

Teachers and their advocates said a proposed funding increase for North Dakota's public schools looks promising, but they hope lawmakers take it a …

Over the past couple years, education experts say school board meetings and candidate races have increasingly become volatile as so-called

LWV on ND Session: School Board Races, Early Voting Policy Eyed

The midterm elections are in the rearview mirror, but some North Dakotans are looking ahead to the legislative session as they monitor possible …

North Dakota's government estimates in the next handful of years, at least 15% of its cybersecurity workforce will be eligible for retirement. (Adobe Stock)

ND Goes All In on Boosting Cybersecurity Worker Pipeline

From the great resignation to pending retirements, North Dakota's cybersecurity workforce faces challenges in filling positions. State leaders hope …

Leaders of tribal colleges say Native American students face greater barriers in completing a degree and starting a career. An emerging apprenticeship program is designed to remove some of those barriers. (Adobe Stock)

ND Tribal Colleges: Apprenticeship Donations Big Help

Tribal colleges across North Dakota are now making plans to boost apprentice opportunities with a $14 million donation. The money was donated by a …

ND Tribal School: New Book Highlights Language Preservation Movement

Many Indigenous languages face extinction, and in the U.S. efforts are popping up to preserve traditional Native American dialects and culture…

In a new Minneapolis Fed survey, 24% of workers in North Dakota and Minnesota said the need for skills is a major factor in considering a job change. (Adobe Stock)

Regional Survey: Barriers Restrict Labor Mobility

The so-called "great resignation" isn't playing out for all workers. A new survey covering North Dakota and Minnesota shows people on the lower end …

Researchers looking at disparities in children's well-being in North Dakota say the issues play out into adulthood. People of color with a bachelor's degree or higher earn $4 less in median hourly wage than their white peers. (Adobe Stock)

Report Examines Needs, Well-being of BIPOC Youth in ND

North Dakota is seeing more diversity within its youth population, but researchers say they face a tougher road in securing a brighter future…

For North Dakota's public colleges, average tuition fees are around $8,260 per year. (Adobe Stock)

ND Higher Education Still Affordable, But Accessibility Work Continues

North Dakota is among the top five states for college affordability. That ranking is in a new national report, and higher-education officials say …

A Gallup-Lumina Foundation survey finds the financial cost of college is an important reason some students don't continue their education. (Adobe Stock)

Despite Challenges, College Students Who 'Stopped Out' Want to Return

On the heels of pandemic disruptions, research shows the majority of college students in North Dakota and beyond who left school over the past two …

As teens and adolescents report feeling more stress and anxiety during the pandemic, those who feel supported in places such as schools were less likely to feel sad and hopeless, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

ND Provider: Teen Mental-Health Needs Are Visible

As the school year winds down, mental-health providers say they recognize many students still feel the weight of the pandemic, and in North Dakota…

Since 2004, older adults have seen a five-fold increase in their percentage of the nation's student debt load. (Adobe Stock)

Urgency Builds in Managing Student-Loan Debt for Older Americans

North Dakota has some of the lowest student-loan debt rates in the U.S., but like all states, payments are a growing burden for older adults…

Over the past year, school boards and certain state legislatures have seen growing debate over what is taught in public schools, including the nation's legacy of systemic racism. (Adobe Stock)

ND's Intersection of CRT Ban and Black History Month

During Black History Month, North Dakota teachers highlight the work of iconic figures, like Martin Luther King, Jr. But the state is also one of …

In the past decade, schools around the United States have implemented enhanced nutritional standards set forth by the federal government. But there have been various efforts to relax standards for school lunches. (Adobe Stock)

ND Organizers: Keep School Lunches Healthy

First in a two-part series this week on access to healthy school meals. The pandemic has put a spotlight on food insecurity, including access to …

North Dakota has seven community action agencies spread across the state. They offer a number of programs, including Head Start. (Adobe Stock)

ND Head Start Programs Encounter Enrollment Issues

FARGO, N.D. - As North Dakota families navigate the latest phase of the pandemic, community action agencies worry the crisis is affecting parents' …

According to an annual survey, 20% of Americans could not name any branches of government. (Adobe Stock)

Civics Knowledge Cloud Hangs Over Constitutional Debates

FARGO, N.D. -- The U.S. Supreme Court today takes up arguments in a high-stakes abortion case. It coincides with divisive arguments over voter fraud…

A recent national survey found a higher proportion of teachers reported frequent job-related stress and depression than the general adult population. (Adobe Stock)

ND Teachers' Advocates Renew Concerns Over Recruitment Barriers

BISMARCK, N.D. -- North Dakota has a new Teacher of the Year. Educators say awards take on new meaning in the pandemic, but more support is needed to …

More than 64,000 North Dakotans are children younger than age 6. More than 70% have parents in the workforce. (Adobe Stock)

Report: ND Should Think of Child Care as Infrastructure

JAMESTOWN, N.D. -- A new report showed affordable and accessible child care remains an issue for North Dakota families. It is prompting calls for …

The Fargo Board of Education has nine members, four of whom currently face a potential recall election. (Adobe Stock)

ND Watchdog: Rash of School Board Recalls "Wasteful"

FARGO, N.D. -- The people behind efforts to recall four Fargo School Board members have until August 25th to collect signatures. Ahead of that …

An annual well-being report said roughly 15,000 North Dakota children lacked health-care coverage leading up to the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

ND Children's Report Looks Good on Surface, But Concerns Lurk Beneath

FARGO, N.D. -- North Dakota ranks first in the U.S. when it comes to economic stability for children, according to an annual report measuring child …

Bills that would restrict transgender students from competing in high school sports have surfaced in several states this spring, including North Dakota. (Adobe Stock)

LGBTQ Advocates: Our Voices Ignored in Transgender Sports Debate

BISMARCK, N.D. -- North Dakota lawmakers have been revising a controversial bill concerning transgender students competing in high school sports…

Opponents of a proposed bill in North Dakota that would limit transgender student participation in sports could cost taxpayers money because of the expected legal challenges. (Adobe Stock)

Bill Targeting Transgender Athletes in ND Advances

BISMARCK, N.D. -- A North Dakota legislative committee has approved a measure that LGBTQ advocates said unfairly targets transgender athletes…

Advocates for providing free lunches to all students say it's time to remove any stigma associated with meal-assistance programs. (Adobe Stock)

ND Lawmakers Hear Plan for No-Cost Lunch for All Students

BISMARCK, N.D. -- North Dakota families facing hardships could see some relief from state lawmakers, with a bill that calls on the state to cover …

According to a new national report, one-third of Americans face the likelihood of having to leave their current home as a result of economic fallout from the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

ND Households with Kids Share Their Struggles in New Report

FARGO, N.D. - A new report confirms that vulnerable families in North Dakota are experiencing more struggles as the pandemic drags on. Households …

To avoid an undercount of young children in the 2020 Census, North Dakota created a Complete Count Task Force, formed through an executive order by Gov. Doug Burgum. The task force includes a tribal subcommittee. (Adobe Stock)

ND Officials Aim to Ensure American Indian Kids Counted in Census

BISMARCK, N.D. -- Making sure all children are counted is a common theme for the 2020 Census. The number of young children missed in previous …

In addition to the 11 public school districts already approved, three more North Dakota districts have applied for a four-day-a-week schedule. (Adobe Stock)

More ND School Districts Testing 4-Day Weeks

BISMARCK, N.D. -- The number of North Dakota school districts moving to a four-day academic week has doubled in the past year - and more districts …

The University of North Dakota says dozens of potential applicants already are awaiting its new Ph.D program that focuses on indigenous health issues. (Adobe Stock)

New UND Program to Focus on Health Issues for Indigenous People

GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- The North Dakota Board of Higher Education has approved a new Ph.D program at the University of North Dakota, where students can …

The group Lunch Aid says $58 million is the potential price tag for universal lunches in North Dakota's K-12 schools. (Africa Studio/Adobe Stock)

Legacy Fund Could Provide Lunches for All ND Kids

Bismarck, N.D. – North Dakota's Legacy Fund has topped $6.3 billion – and one suggestion is that a fraction of that money could provide …

North Dakota ranks last in the nation for early education participation rates for three- and four-year-olds. (Oksana Kuzmina/Adobe Stock)

Back to School Approaches – But Not for Some Young North Dakotans

BISMARCK, N.D. – It's almost time for North Dakota kids to go back to school – but some of the state's youngest won't be getting an …

North Dakota is lagging behind other states on many education markers. (minnemom/Flickr)

On the Right Path, ND Still Missing Key Components for Children

BISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota fares well in an annual analysis of child well-being, ranking 11th overall. But one state expert says the high …

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ND: Education