[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6262750,"mediaKeyId","3111771-acbbf001d8ffc5a8581356aa76a93a78","parentId",3111771,"title","Superintendent outlines proposal to fund intermediary 'Center for Education Excellence'","audioSeconds",72,"startMs",211000,"endMs",283000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3111771-acbbf001d8ffc5a8581356aa76a93a78&start=211&end=283","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3111771-acbbf001d8ffc5a8581356aa76a93a78/thumbnail_211000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6262750/North-Dakota/Superintendent-outlines-proposal-to-fund-intermediary-Center-for-Education-Excellence","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262750-d95de8bea48fae804fdb6fd7b7e84e3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771014664&Signature=OLoffFedb8bU7VvYbUYSpCrkxpZ3uKHrEwXmCDlc-qTvCMJUU3O43X3q5lsNzZ5FmYvZeN4ADRyVTYBSDSoQRhas0-mpPy0BMywLUkqA6GAZAQvUDQ~mEm3b5SbnEAtW4GtmM8idB7Jgl9riL3CE4PRCSUKxj4swzWvu0IYzI4zkomUvfwBP7DIhz0MKJ8ZZxXCESXDo1ACGC70nYaBTYaIhI3McEMsZc6oiXPw9jvtp3v-LN~6qPeIHq6SUR9ZcnLy0dD~PpUYovJc4nNU15QBI130qZBwaKmTtHqXDRuot0V3SW2NQEYGe9uSHMzEBpqZzKy19nQ02uDpC1EcX5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota Legislature","date","2025-04-24T00:00:00Z","article","Kirsten Basler, state superintendent at the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, told the conference committee on House Bill 1013 that the department seeks authority to create and fund an intermediary “center for education excellence” to continue a privately funded pilot that supported competency-based and personalized learning in multiple districts.

The proposal would authorize the state to issue a request for proposals and award a contract to an organization — for example, an REA, North Dakota State University, or another entity — to serve as a backbone organization responsible for professional development, communication and sharing, leadership support, and research/evaluation to sustain the North Dakota Personalized Learning Network.

Why it matters: Basler said the pilot, seeded by a multi-year philanthropic grant from the Bush Foundation and supported by KnowledgeWorks as a backbone partner, produced evidence that a funded intermediary improved districts’ capacity to implement competency-based graduation pathways. If the state does not provide ongoing funding, Basler said the voluntary, district-led model that now operates “on volunteer time” will likely be unsustainable.

Basler described the program’s history and evidence base. She told committee members that in 2017 a select cohort of districts accepted a five-year philanthropic grant from the Bush Foundation to pilot systems-change work; districts named by Basler included Northern Cass Public School District and West Fargo Public Schools and several small rural districts. Basler said the department contracted with the research organization WestEd and partnered with KnowledgeWorks as the backbone organization; those partners provided coaching, biweekly check-ins and evaluation. “This backbone organization kept the districts accountable for progress,” Basler said. She added that KnowledgeWorks’ role and the department’s partnership were “critical for the success in North Dakota.”

Committee members pressed Basler on funding and sustainability. Representative Nathy asked whether DPI had discretionary or carryover funds to cover the requested money; Basler replied that DPI returns carryover to the general fund, that the department is “65% federally funded,” and that “our state funds are as lean as lean can be,” saying DPI has “no discretionary funds.”

Basler and multiple committee members discussed the likely state award size and possible cost-sharing. Basler said the state would set the award amount in an RFP and that the awardee would need to “make the model work, depending on demand.” She told the committee the award could remain at $2,000,000 or be adjusted to $1.5 million or $2.5 million in future biennia, and that the RFP could include an expectation of cost share from REAs or school districts.

Several senators and representatives urged caution given tight revenue forecasts. Representative Nathy referenced a prior Senate action regarding $10,000,000 and asked whether DPI could tap other budget lines; Basler repeated that she had already pursued philanthropic options and that foundations had indicated the grant had been seed funding that would not be renewed. Senator Shibley and Senator Schaible asked whether new leadership or district buy-in might change the calculus; Basler said the network’s leadership — which she credited to Anne Ellifson and the North Dakota Personalized Learning Network — would continue the work independent of her office if funding were secured.

No formal committee vote or decision to authorize state funding was recorded in the transcript. Basler said next steps would include drafting an RFP and defining award conditions if the Legislature provides authorization and funding.

Basler closed by stressing the implementation findings: shared visioning, classroom practices that increase student agency, early wins and transparency are key to sustaining systems change. She told the committee she would answer follow-up questions and provide additional materials in committee packets.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","HB 1013 Conference Committee Apr 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Kirsten Basler, state superintendent at the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, told the conference committee on House Bill 1013 that the department seeks authority to create and fund an intermediary “center for education excellence” to continue a privately funded pilot.","taxTitle","House of Representatives, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28308,"location","North Dakota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6262745,"Superintendent says $500,000 training grants expanded GED-to-career outcomes; committee seeks details",96,1358000,1454000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3111771-acbbf001d8ffc5a8581356aa76a93a78&start=1358&end=1454","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3111771-acbbf001d8ffc5a8581356aa76a93a78/thumbnail_1358000.jpg","/articles/6262745/North-Dakota/Superintendent-says-500000-training-grants-expanded-GED-to-career-outcomes-committee-seeks-details","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262745-95434fd3aca2b7e35c09342054db6930/orig.mp4?Expires=1771014664&Signature=QlAZ2geoB1Q0W2mLy0Gzz4GrS0ydgsuxZXDo5rF5uGVpU2n5qXVvEZ17WBN5OXvuWEAqH2J2l2w-fm3eRUo9OVmgMZG6IgkgJJ7lFYhAkA2UQNpkHx31-~9ZFEygcKyz5G4Ydo~X1GyCRmUeZs-ab~fYboIoEXp~LMMVu4M7WePDOmXQckZPobFCaRqYsSmNLOgOsaQ5v4LUxXtlL-g9-LAUMqY57ANV69QepIaWnT~rspal~8Bzep~hKbRuT6SqfwZdtMd6anUrcyW8ljpsQUk1TyRXki~4pSwzOm4a-VWi119ahHj3OESDA6xvzgD0Wsp3gTiD1vSU1efQG1io1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the House Bill 1013 conference committee meeting, State Superintendent Kirsten Basler described an integrated adult education and workforce training pilot that pairs GED preparation with immediate vocational training and certification, funded by a supplemental $500,000 grant.

Basler said the integrated education and training grants allowed participating adult learning centers to combine GED instruction with credentialing programs such as CNA certification or commercial driver’s license (CDL) training. “For $500,000 we’ve been able to, just in the last year and a half, get over a hundred people not only receiving their GEDs, but also getting a certificate, CNA certification and or CDL license,” Basler said.

Basler explained that the department’s baseline adult education formula funding is $5,500,000, which is distributed to adult learning centers; the extra $500,000 is an add-on that centers may apply for to support integrated training. She said the model is workforce-supported and came at the recommendation of the state workforce committee.

Committee members asked whether adults pay tuition. Basler said there is no tuition charged to adults under the program: centers receive base operational funding and the training grants fund the additional credentialing supports. Representative Lauser asked for specifics on how centers are funded per student or per hour; Basler said she would follow up with the committee on operational funding details.

Basler and committee members also discussed claims about GED graduates’ postsecondary success. One committee member suggested that GED completers may be the largest single graduating cohort in North Dakota and that GED completers often persevere and perform well in postsecondary settings; Basler agreed and said she would confirm enrollment or graduation counts.

The transcript records no formal committee action or appropriation vote on the adult education supplemental grants during this session; Basler said the request had been part of prior House and Senate considerations and that committee members should discuss funding in further conference negotiations.","Kirsten Basler told the conference committee that a $500,000 integrated education and training pilot helped more than 100 adults earn GEDs and industry certificates in the past 18 months and that the adult education formula grant totals $5,500,000; committee members asked about participant costs and program scale.","actionData","errors"]

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Superintendent outlines proposal to fund intermediary 'Center for Education Excellence'

Superintendent says $500,000 training grants expanded GED-to-career outcomes; committee seeks details