In North Dakota, all public K–12 schools are required to participate in a Continuous Improvement Process as part of the school approval system. This process ensures schools meet state standards and are eligible to operate. At the center of this process is the Strategy Map—a high-level planning tool developed through Cognia’s platform that outlines a school’s strategic goals, initiatives, and measurable objectives. These maps are updated annually and submitted to the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) for review and public reporting.
While school approval is mandatory, accreditation is voluntary. Accreditation is a nationally recognized quality assurance process that includes reflective self-study, external review, and a commitment to continuous improvement. It demonstrates a school’s dedication to going beyond compliance to elevate student achievement, professional practices, and community trust.
NDDPI partners with Cognia®, a global nonprofit organization, to provide both school approval support and accreditation services at no cost to public schools. Cognia also supports schools in developing their Strategy Maps through its eProve™ platform, helping align school priorities with long-term improvement goals.
Schools and districts can use the Partnership page to access key resources on accreditation, Strategy Maps, and the continuous improvement process.
Continuous Improvement is a required component of the school approval process and is mandated by North Dakota State law (15.1-06-06)
Click here to access Cognia’s eProve login page, where schools can update their annual Continuous Improvement Plan through the Strategies platform.