Students in North Dakota will soon have expanded options for demonstrating their readiness for post-secondary education and the workforce, following the Senate Education Committee's favorable consideration of House Bill 14-04 during a meeting on March 12, 2025. This bill introduces the North Dakota Academic Progression of Learning and Understanding (NDA Plus) assessment as an alternative to the ACT for meeting graduation requirements.

The NDA Plus assessment will allow students to substitute a score equivalent to a 24 on the ACT, providing a more accessible pathway for those who may not excel in traditional testing formats. This change comes as the ACT is phased out of accountability measures for high school students, with the last cohort of students who took the ACT for this purpose graduating this year.

In addition to the new assessment option, House Bill 14-04 introduces a military coursework pathway, enabling students to earn credits through military-related courses. This pathway aims to engage students interested in military careers and provides them with additional indicators to qualify for the North Dakota Scholarship, which awards $6,000 to eligible students based on their high school performance.

The bill also removes outdated language regarding the ACT's role in accountability, reflecting the shift towards the NDA Plus assessment as the primary measure of student readiness. The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) supports these changes, emphasizing that they maintain existing options while offering new avenues for students to demonstrate their skills.

As the NDA Plus assessment is implemented, educators will work to establish a scale score that aligns with the rigor of the ACT, ensuring that students have a clear understanding of the requirements needed to qualify for scholarships and other educational opportunities. The DPI plans to make this information publicly available, ensuring transparency for students and families navigating these new pathways.

Overall, House Bill 14-04 represents a significant step towards modernizing educational assessments in North Dakota, providing students with more flexible options to achieve their academic and career goals.