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.