Cognia Improvement Platform Transition & What’s Ahead
Who Is Impacted?
All North Dakota state contract members who currently access tools and resources through our existing platform will transition to the new Cognia Improvement Platform. This includes state agency leaders, district leaders, and school-level users who engage with improvement planning, surveys, evaluations, and reporting tools.
What Is Changing?
Cognia is launching an enhanced Improvement Platform designed to provide a more unified, intuitive experience. Members will now be able to access key tools in one connected space with improved navigation, stronger reporting, and expanded capabilities to support continuous improvement. This transition reflects our commitment to modernizing the member experience while strengthening how districts and schools observe, evaluate, learn, and improve.
North Dakota Go-Live Date: March 16, 2026
- Users will receive a welcome email with login instructions and access details.
- Updated Quick Start and User Guides will be available on the NDDPI partnership page.
What’s Improved in the Platform?
- Improved User Experience
- Cleaner navigation, intuitive workflows, and simplified processes.
- Enhanced Data & Reporting
- Stronger reporting tools with clearer insights to inform decision-making.
- Expanded Toolkit
- A connected observe → evaluate → learn → improve cycle to better support continuous improvement efforts.
Spotlight: Enhancements to Strategies
- Archived Plans
- Easily reference past plans for historical context and reflection.
- Feedback & Comments
- Improved collaboration through built-in feedback and commenting features.
- Enhanced Strategy Map
- Color-coded visual maps provide a clearer view of alignment and progress.
- New Outputs
- Updated envisioning and evaluation summaries to support planning conversations and documentation.
- These updates are designed to make strategy development more collaborative, visual, and actionable.
Upcoming Training & Support Opportunities
- Live Virtual Trainings
- Interactive sessions focused on navigation, key workflows, and tool updates.
- Quick Start Guides & Videos
- Step-by-step resources to help users get started quickly.
- Office Hours
- Open support sessions for questions and real-time assistance.
- Recorded Micro-Trainings
- Short, focused videos covering key features and enhancements.
- Training Schedule:
- 2026 State-specific sessions are being scheduled in Bismarck (April 14), Dickinson (April 15), Williston (April 16), Minot (April 17), Fargo/West Fargo (April 21), and Grand Forks (April 22).
- Stay tuned for more information on locations and how to sign up.
2026-2027 Strategy Map Due Date UPDATE
To better support school year planning and align with other NDDPI reporting timelines, particularly as we transition to the enhanced Cognia Improvement Platform, the Office of School Approval & Opportunity will be moving the annual Strategy Map due date from June 1 to September 1 beginning this 2026-2027 school year and continuing moving forward.
This adjustment is intended to provide additional flexibility for districts and schools as they finalize plans for the upcoming year using the most current data and staffing context.
Please note that plans may still be completed in the system earlier at any time. Districts and schools are welcome to continue developing their Strategy Maps in the spring or summer if that best supports local planning needs.
For questions regarding strategic plan requirements for school approval, please contact the Office of School Approval & Opportunity.
What Does a Quality Strategy Map Look Like?
- Quality Maps are created with multiple stakeholders including teachers, administrators, counselors, parents, community members and students of all ages.
- Strategy Maps think in terms of new ideas that might disrupt the norm.
- Quality Maps include “Futures Thinking.” Futures Thinking is the process of analyzing patterns, disruptors, and changes from a variety of disciplines to develop insights and understand their impact on the institution in the years ahead.
- Consider the institution’s reality and future when determining the critical initiatives, intended outcomes, and key measures.
- Quality Maps use evidence-based methods (initiatives) to guide the implementation of actions required to achieve objectives.
- Use the inFocus guide to help create map. The information created in one section will flow to the next.
- Write objective statements that can be communicated clearly to stakeholders— refrain from writing measurable outcomes in the statements.
- Enable strong communication throughout the process.
Cognia Contact Information and Support
Cognia Client Care
ndclientcare@cognia.org
888.413.3669
Monday-Friday, 8am - 5pm EST