Students First Governance (formerly Be Legendary School Board Leadership Institute)

Student outcomes do not change until adult behaviors change. 

In 2022, the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction launched the Be Legendary School Board Leadership Institute, an intensive program designed for governing teams (school boards with their superintendents) that are dedicated to continually sharpening and cultivating their focus on one primary objective: improving student outcomes. It is a unique opportunity for governing teams that are committed to pushing themselves to do even more for their students. In 2023, the North Dakota legislature funded the goal to train all 168 North Dakota school boards. In 2025, the North Dakota School Boards Association began overseeing and facilitating the program—now called Students First Governance.

EduRecoverHub has highlighted the wonderful work being done in North Dakota surrounding the Be Legendary School Board Institute Training! Their video details how truly remarkable and transformative this training is. The Be Legendary School Board Institute lays the foundation to create adult behavioral changes that will impact and positively influence student outcomes.