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Resource Center

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The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) is dedicated to gathering local, regional, and national resources for anyone in the education field. This resource center is designed to be a one-stop-shop to help school, educators, students, parents, and caregivers by providing access to educational supports and resources.

The linked resources on this page were carefully chosen for their alignment to North Dakota K-12 Education Content Standards. Particular attention has been given to identifying best practices and guidance in supporting ALL students and providing suggestions for educator professional learning. Local public school districts decide which curriculum, materials, and resources are used within their district; therefore, these resources may or may not be aligned to a student's specific coursework. Please be sure to cross-check your students' and school's specific materials to ensure appropriate use.

Disclaimer: To provide a wide variety of resources to assist families and educators, this site links to external websites. All external links operate independently from the NDDPI. The department has established a regular review process in an attempt to keep this information up-to-date and accurate. However, neither the State of North Dakota nor any agency, officer, or employee of the State of North Dakota warrants the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of any information published by this system, nor endorses any content, viewpoints, products, or services linked from this system, and shall not be held responsible for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of such information. 

Do you have a resource recommendation?

Companies wishing to share their information on this page are encouraged to complete a Vendor Resource Form. All solicitations will be reviewed to ensure alignment with our North Dakota K-12 Standards.  

Medium
Academic

Career & Technical Education

ELA

Fine Arts

Health and PE

  • ND SHAPE - Site links to resources from SHAPE America to encourage healthy habits and physical activity.
  • Shape America - Resource for teachers of physical education and health.

Indigenous and World Language

Math

Science

  • American Chemistry Society (ACS) - The site provides resources for teaching chemistry K-12. Elementary and middle school resources include experiments. High School resources include articles and comprehension materials, labs, simulations, and extension activities.
  • Birding in North Dakota - The video shares information about the prairie pothole region, bird anatomy, and resources to help identify types of birds.
  • Georgia Aquarium - The site provides information about the preservation of the ocean and aquatic animals, along with lesson plans, videos, and webcams.
  • Habitats of North Dakota - The video provides information about habitats and the types of habitats found in ND.
  • Maine Science Teachers Association - A variety of resources; descriptions are provided for each.
  • Mammals of North Dakota - The video provides information about mammals found in North Dakota.
  • National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) (member organization)) - The site allows access to resources to teach biology.
  • National Institute of General Medical Services (NIGMS) - Provides resources for biology and chemistry.
  • National Park Service - The site provides lesson plans and distance learning materials to assist with science instruction.
  • National Science Digital Library - Resources for teaching science including remote teaching ideas.
  • NASA - The site provides resources for teaching Science.
  • ND Game and Fish - The site provides information on wildlife and conservation to state stakeholders. 
  • ND Night Sky - The site contains information on astronomy.
  • Nova -Provides science resources.
  • NSTA - The site contains classroom resources and professional development resources.
  • Park at Dark - The video provides information about nocturnal animals and their characteristics of these animals.
  • Plants of North Dakota - The video provides information to help identify plants found in North Dakota.
  • Smithsonian - Resources for teachers, live webinars, and virtual tours.
  • The World of Water - The video provides information about where water may be found, the water cycle, and the uses of water.
  • US Forest Service -The site provides information about forests and conservation.

Social Studies

  • Civil War Inquiries - The site contains inquiry modules based on primary source instructional tools from the Huntington  Library collection.
  • Classroom Materials at Library of Congress - The site provides access to primary sources, lesson plans, and presentations for Social Studies.
  • Digital History Reader (European) - The site contains high school-level modules incorporating authentic sources; a teacher's guide is included.
  • Digital History Reader (US) - The site contains high school-level modules incorporating authentic sources; a teacher's guide is included.
  • Ellis Island - The site provides information about immigrants and Ellis Island through which many of their ancestors came to the United States.
  • Eyewitness to History - Historical passages from various time periods in history. The site also contains old movie clips and audio, along with authentic resources for various historic periods.
  • Growing Math Social Studies - Videos about Indigenous history and Lakota culture.
  • In Our Time - BBC podcasts about history.
  • Mt. Vernon - The site provides a virtual tour of Mount Vernon, primary sources, and historical information from the Revolutionary War period.
  • National Archives - The site provides primary sources and online learning programs.
  • National Archives Docs Teach - The site provides digital access to photos and documents that may be used to teach history.  Teaching suggestions are provided to help use the resources.
  • National Constitution Center - The site includes videos and lesson plans to teach about government and civics.
  • National Museum of the American Indian - The site contains historical artifacts and videos from the Smithsonian along with resources on history.
  • Plimoth Plantation - Videos of experiences at Plimoth plantation and virtual field trip; depicts the lifestyle of the 1600s.
  • Stanford History Education Group - The site provides U.S. History and World History lessons, assessments, and resources.
  • US Citizenship and Naturalization Test Resources - The site provides resources to prepare for the US Citizenship and Naturalization Test.
  • US Holocaust Memorial Museum - The site contains information related to the Holocaust.
  • US Census Bureau - Variety of resources including videos and activities to teach students about the census.
  • USA.gov - The site contains information for teachers about the government.

STEM

Academics - Multiple Subjects
  • Annenburg Learner - Variety of resources for STEM, Math, Science, Social Studies, and ELA. Resources include videos, online textbooks, unit guides, projects, and galleries.
  • Ignite My Future in School - Activities and lessons in Science, Social Studies, ELA, STEM, Math, and Fine Arts for middle school students.
  • Khan Academy - Academic support and tutorials for students in Math, Science, Social Studies, and ELA.
  • National Geographic - Videos, units, activities, lessons, etc., for Science and Social Studies.
  • ND Gifted Children - Resources for gifted learners.
  • NDOER Commons - Teacher-created academic resources in computer science, ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Fine Arts.
  • ND State Library - Digital resources and teacher guides for ELA, Science, and Social Studies.
  • Smithsonian Kids - Activities and resources for Fine Arts, Social Studies, and Science.
Academics-ND Studies
Assessment
  • ACT for Educators - ACT information for educators.
  • ACT for Students and Families - ACT information for students. The site includes practice activities to help prepare for the ACT.
  • AP Classroom - Information for AP teachers providing support for AP classes.
  • AP Students - The site includes instructional supports and AP exam practice for AP students.
  • ASVAB - Resources to aid in preparing for the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Test.
  • Cognia Resources - Schools and districts can find helpful resources on administering, using, and interpreting Student Engagement Surveys and Strategy Maps to enhance their school's continuous improvement plans and guide school improvement initiatives.
  • College Board Educator Information - Information and resources related to the College Board's Suite of Assessments.
  • Counselor Toolkit - The site provides information to help students prepare for the ACT and resources to aid in college and career planning.
  • GED - Provides practice materials and online resources to assist in preparing for the GED test and earn your high school equivalency diploma.
  • Lesson Planning with Formative Assessment - Links to resources, lesson plans, units, and templates related to using Formative Assessment to help drive instruction.
  • Lexile and Quantile Tools - The site provides instructional tools for teachers based on Quantile and Lexile scores.
  • NAEP - Information and resources for educators in using NAEP questions and framework in the classroom. The site allows educators to search for questions, take sample tests, and create customized assessments for many subjects.
  • PRAXIS - Information and materials used in educator preparation for the Praxis test leading to certification in specific content areas.
  • PSAT Information and Resources - Information on scores, test content, test-taking tips, and practice tests.
  • SAT Practice - Online resources to help prepare for the SAT exam and college readiness.
  • TOEFL - The site provides information to help prepare for the TOEFL iBT Test for English Proficiency.
Behavioral Health
Child Nutrition and Food Distribution
  • Back-to-School Water Supply - Guidance for schools to ensure water safety after an extended building closure.
  • Breakfast in the Classroom Equipment Guide - This guide is designed to help you choose the right equipment for your breakfast after the bell program, regardless of delivery model or grade level.
  • Dining Guide for Meals in the Classroom (MIC) - The Dining Guide for MIC is designed to help you easily communicate your district procedures for serving meals in the classroom to key stakeholders within their school community. MIC could refer to breakfast, lunch, supper, and/or snacks.
  • Food Buying Guide (FBG) for Child Nutrition Programs (CNP) - The FBG is the essential resource for food yield information for all child nutrition programs. The FBG assists CNP operators, food manufacturers, and other stakeholders.
  • Handwashing Resources - Videos and other resources on proper handwashing in food service establishments.
  • Institute for Child Nutrition (ICN) Back-to-School Toolkit - The ICN has organized its educational resources, training, and supplemental materials, in one convenient location to assist food service staff at all levels as they prepare for school this fall.
  • Offer Versus Serve Materials - Posters and Tip Sheets designed to provide guidance for breakfast and lunch meal service.
  • Offering Meats and Meat Alternates at School Breakfast - This training guide provides menu planning ideas, crediting information, sample menus, and more, to show school nutrition professionals how to offer meats and meat alternates at school breakfast.
  • School Food Safety Resources - Developed by the Institute of Child Nutrition, USDA, and other organizations to provide assistance in ensuring food safety in school food service programs.
  • School Meals Marketing Toolkit by No Kid Hungry - The School Meals Marketing Toolkit has tips to help get the word out to families about meals available for kids.
  • The School Day Just Got Healthier - This web page assists districts in providing wellness, preventing and reducing childhood obesity, and improving your school meals throughout your school and school district.  Information for multiple stakeholders.
  • USDA Team Nutrition Back-to-School Support Kit - Prepare for students to return to school with Team Nutrition's new Back-to-School Checklist. Find resources that support a safe re-opening, tools for planning healthy meals, and opportunities for peer learning and resource sharing.
Child Abuse and Educational Neglect

With the rapid exodus of children from schools to homes last spring, it seemed only fair to offer schools and families some ‘grace’ while everyone was making the sudden adjustment to distance teaching and distance learning. While Child Protection Services has continued to respond to reports of suspected child abuse and neglect throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have now entered a new phase of varying models of teaching and learning, unique to each school district and family. The following guidance is offered around responding to reports of suspected child neglect involving educational neglect.

Guidance:

A school should first assure they are meeting all requirements set forth by the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the North Dakota Department of Health for safeguarding the health and safety of students.

North Dakota Compulsory Attendance law (N.D.C.C. 15.1-20-03) charges each teacher and administrator with enforcement of compulsory school attendance provisions, which include the school administrator’s review into the cause of absences. The administrator may determine educational neglect if:

  • A child is without proper education;
  • The reason for absences is not due primarily to a lack of financial means;
  • A person responsible for ensuring that the student is in attendance has not made substantial and reasonable efforts to comply with the requirements; and

There is reasonable cause to suspect that absences are due to actions or inactions by a person responsible for a child’s welfare.

The school shall review the cause of absences prior to reporting educational neglect as specified in N.D.C.C. 15.1-20-03. Educational neglect should not be reported when the person responsible for ensuring that the student is in attendance has made substantial and reasonable efforts to comply with the requirements but is unable to compel the student to attend school.

Since each school district is required to define an excused absence and is required to document a verbal or written excuse supplied by the student's parent, teacher, or school administrator that may be requested to verify a student's absence, documentation of excused absences (as well an attendance record) must be provided at the time educational neglect is reported or within 48 hours of making a report as required by N.D.C.C. 50-25.1-04.

At the same time, schools must define distance learning during COVID-19 what “school engagement” looks like to them. 

  • When school attendance processes have changed, student engagement remains paramount. During COVID-19 disruption, school districts and administrators should make sure regular connections are made with students and families.
  • Teachers and support staff should connect with all students to maintain their relationships, assist with issues and concerns related to assignments, and encourage full participation in continued learning opportunities.
  • Schools should identify students who were chronically absent pre-COVID-19 or otherwise identify, as required, additional needed support and determine if support can be provided in any way, including virtually.
  • School administrators and support staff should reach out to students who are not signing into online learning or engaging in other continued learning opportunities. 

Educational Neglect:

Educational neglect should be reported to Child Protection Services in your local Human Service Zone. This report may be concurrent with the reporting requirement for law enforcement.

When reporting suspected educational neglect, keep in mind that Child Protection Services can only become involved for reports of reasonable suspicion of non-compliance with the state’s compulsory school attendance law and not for any other reason, such as non-compliance with school policies or School District plans.

In addition to demographic information concerning the child, such as name, date of birth, race, etc. along with the parents’/caregivers’ names, address and contact information, other information that may be requested when speaking with Child Protection Intake includes:

  • Would the school be willing to go to the home if needed with CPS staff in the human service zone?
  • Are there any safety concerns?

(i.e. weapons, gang affiliations, pets, etc.)

  • Describe the nature and extent of the suspected educational neglect, including any available information on siblings
  • What did the child say about the concerns?
  • How is this harming the child(ren)?  How was the child(ren) affected?
  • What behavior is the child displaying?
  • How frequently is this happening?
  • How safe does the reporter believe the child is right now?  In the near future?
  • What do you think should happen/what made you decide to call today?
  • Is the parent/caregiver aware of the situation?  Has the reporter talked to the parent/caregiver about the concerns?
  • Who else was present? Who else knows about the situation? Who else might have useful information? What information might this person have? Do you have contact information for these individuals?
  • Has there been any law enforcement involvement?
  • Who are the family’s natural supports? (friends or family members if known)
  • Has the reporter or others tried to help the family? In what ways?
  • Describe any current or past involvement with services (if known) Who are/were the service providers and what services are/were being received/for whom? (if known)
  • What was the outcome of the services they have previously received? (if known)
  • Are there other stressors in the family? (if known)
  • What are the strengths of the family? (if known)
  • Are there other concerns?
  • Describe any action taken by the reporter.
  • The willingness of the reporter to share with the family his/her role in initiating the report or to participate in the assessment process (if appropriate)?

Helpful Sections of the child abuse and neglect law:

  • N.D.C.C. 50-25.1-02(1). Definitions.
    14. "Neglected child" means a child who, due to the action or inaction of a person responsible for the child's welfare:
     
    • a. Is without proper care or control, subsistence, education as required by law, or other care or control necessary for the child's physical, mental, or emotional health, or morals, and is not due primarily to the lack of financial means of a person responsible for the child’s welfare];
       
  • 50-25.1-04. Method of reporting.
    All persons mandated or permitted to report cases of known or suspected child abuse or neglect shall immediately cause oral or written reports to be made to the department or the department's designee. Oral reports must be followed by written reports within forty-eight hours if so requested by the department or the department's designee. A requested written report must include information specifically sought by the department if the reporter possesses or has reasonable access to that information. Reports involving known or suspected institutional child abuse or neglect must be made and received in the same manner as all other reports made under this chapter.

For questions or more information on educational neglect in North Dakota, please contact:

Joe Kolosky, Director
Office of School Approval & Opportunity                      

         
Counseling
Department of Health School Resources
Early Childhood
Family Engagement
Health and Safety
Intervention
ND OER Commons
Special Education
Teacher Support - Professional Development
Transportation

National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) –  Is the leading trade association in the student transportation industry, a vibrant and diverse community of people and organizations that share a passion for safe and efficient student transportation. 

National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation (NASDPTS) –  The purpose of the association is to provide leadership, assistance, and motivation to the Nation's school transportation community with the goal of providing safe, secure, efficient, economical, and high-quality transportation to school children on their trips to and from school and school-related activities.

National School Transportation (NSTA) – Is the leading resource for school bus transportation solutions. Our member organizations will be recognized as providing the safest, most secure, environmentally-responsible, and cost-effective school bus transportation services.