State of North Dakota secondary Archives: on Education
Doug Burgum:
Accelerate efforts to raise outcomes for all students
Our North Dakota education system, which needs to serve a significant rural as well as increasing urban population, will need to accelerate its efforts to raise outcomes to
ensure students of all ages have the skills they need to be competitive in a global economy.
Source: Recode.net on 2016 North Dakota gubernatorial race
Jan 31, 2016
Doug Burgum:
Kids can't prepare for 21st century using 19th-century model
With the world's information now available for free online, Burgum said educators, parents, businesses, community organizations and legislators must all play a role in transforming the education system. It's not enough for students to do well on
traditional measures, Burgum said. The challenge is how to equip them with the skills and mindsets they need to be creative problem solvers & effective communicators. "We can't prepare our kids for the 21st century using a 19th-century model," he said.
Source: Press release on 2017 North Dakota State of the State speech
Feb 8, 2017
Doug Burgum:
Local control of schools
This is about bottoms-up innovation. This is not top-down Washington DC decides, or Bismarck decides. This is each individual school district can adopt an innovation plan and they can decide locally what they think the best way to try to drive
education, you know, hands on, experience based education in their areas. To get out and really understand more about how we can make that happen we have created a K-12 task force.
Source: 2018 North Dakota State of the State address
Jan 23, 2018
Doug Burgum:
Invest in K-12 for our No. 1 resource--our young people
Our private sector prosperity has allowed us to build and maintain a strong foundation in K-12 and higher education--investing in our No. 1 resource--the young people of North Dakota. Right now, we can make smart, bold investments with long-lasting
impacts--while delivering a fiscally conservative and structurally sound budget that improves transparency--replenishes reserves--and does this all without raising taxes! In 2017, we set out to transform education in North Dakota. Our goal: to ensure
our K12 and higher education systems are best equipped to adapt to new technologies and delivery methods--and prepare students for success in the fast-changing digital economy. We supported establishing the K-12 Innovation Academy. This partnership--
between public entities and private philanthropy--supplies concrete strategies for transforming education--while also creating a statewide network to advance best practices and community-led initiatives.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to North Dakota Legislature
Jan 3, 2019
Doug Burgum:
Proclaimed North Dakota School Choice Week
As National School Choice Week is celebrated nationwide Jan. 20-26, North Dakotans will also be celebrating North Dakota School Choice Week thanks to a proclamation from Gov. Burgum.The governor has joined hundreds of state, city, and county leaders
nationwide in issuing similar proclamations. More than 40,000 events have been independently planned throughout the country for School Choice Week, including rallies roundtable discussions, breakfast meet-ups, festivals, school fairs, and more.
Source: NewsDakota.com on 2020 North Dakota gubernatorial race
Jan 17, 2019
Doug Burgum:
Help students be "choice ready" for their career paths
Helping them explore career paths earlier, work-based learning and internships and career pathways programs that can help identify their interests. And by supporting all students to be choice ready, meaning whether you're ready for a career,
you're ready for college, you're ready for the military. So choice ready means we want to be empowering our youth and addressing, at the same time, addressing our workforce shortage and making positive impacts for our communities.
Source: 2020 North Dakota State of the State address
Jan 29, 2020
Doug Burgum:
Expand career/technical academies across the state
Should that individual choose an education pathway in a career academy like the very successful one here in Bismarck that teams up higher education, the private sector and K-12, he or she shouldn't have to live in the capital city to have access to
that type of learning model. Our budget called for providing $45 million to support the expansion and development of similarly successful career and technical education centers across North Dakota.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to North Dakota legislature
Jan 5, 2021
Heidi Heitkamp:
Vouchers take public funds away from public schools
Q: Education: Provide vouchers to parents to send their children to private schools with public money?Kevin Cramer (R): Yes.
Supports DC voucher program & charter schools.
Heidi Heitkamp (D): No. Opposed Betsy DeVos's "preference for private schools and. taking public funds away from public schools."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on North Dakota Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Heidi Heitkamp:
Supports public service loan forgiveness for college debt
Q: Refinance student loans at lower rates, paid for by increasing taxes on high earners?Kevin Cramer (R): Rejected this approach. Favored tying to interest rates. Supported end to student loan interest deduction.
Heidi Heitkamp (D): Yes. Introduced related bill. Challenged Dept of Education possibly revoking public service loan forgiveness.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on North Dakota Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Jack Dalrymple:
Achieved long-sought goal of 70% funding from state
Senate bill 2200, passed in 2007, laid to rest the issue of equity in school funding. In 2009, House bill 1400 addressed the issue of adequacy and brought us to the long-sought goal of 70% funding from state resources. This measure joined
with another breakthrough piece of legislation to reduce a school districts' reliance on local property taxes through a reduction of 75 mills in the general fund levy. This reduced the bill to local taxpayers by an average of 18%.
Source: 2011 State of the State speech to North Dakota legislature
Jan 4, 2011
John Hoeven:
Moment of silence, or prayer, ok in public schools
Q: Do you support voluntary prayer in public schools?A: Yes.
Q: Do you support a moment of silence in public schools?
A: Yes.
Source: Gubernatorial North Dakota 2008 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2008
Katrina Christiansen:
Stop learning loss; improve teacher retention
- We need representation that will work to connect people to opportunity.
- We need representation that will deliver investment to our public schools.
- We need to provide resources to stop learning loss in the classroom
and improve teacher retention. We need to provide resources to improve mental, social and behavioral health outcomes in our schools. We need to let teachers teach.
Source: 2022 North Dakota Senate website KatrinaForUSSenate.com
Jun 15, 2022
Kevin Cramer:
Supports vouchers and charter schools
Q: Education: Provide vouchers to parents to send their children to private schools with public money?Kevin Cramer (R): Yes.
Supports DC voucher program & charter schools.
Heidi Heitkamp (D): No. Opposed Betsy DeVos's "preference for private schools and. taking public funds away from public schools."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on North Dakota Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Kevin Cramer:
End student loan interest deduction
Q: Refinance student loans at lower rates, paid for by increasing taxes on high earners?Kevin Cramer (R): Rejected this approach. Favored tying to interest rates. Supported end to student loan interest deduction.
Heidi Heitkamp (D): Yes. Introduced related bill. Challenged Dept of Education possibly revoking public service loan forgiveness.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on North Dakota Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Marvin Nelson:
Maintain investment in schools despite financial crunch
Nelson was critical the actions of state lawmakers during the special session, characterizing it as 'kicking the can down the road.' He addressed concerns over how to preserve academic programs across North Dakota, as the state continues to face the
billion dollar shortfall."There's some things we've made huge investments in that we don't want to lose that investment in just cause of a relatively short-term financial crunch;" Nelson noted that would be "throwing the baby out with the bathwater."
Source: KFYR-TV on 2016 North Dakota Gubernatorial race
Aug 12, 2016
Michael Coachman:
Don't restrict children in prayer, religious expression
Parents have the right to rear and educate their children according to high standards of character and quality, with minimal government interference. Parents are ultimately responsible for their family's education and should be able to choose among
traditional, charter, home school, online, private, or other alternative schools. School children should not be restricted in their rights to voluntary prayer, religious expression, and acknowledgement of God and the United States Constitution.
Source: 2020 North Dakota gubernatorial campaign website
Mar 25, 2020
Rick Becker:
Fully state-funded college tuition worst idea in the world
Becker completely ruled out the possibility of having fully state-funded college education, saying it was the "worst idea in the world." He said he reasons it would put all private institutions out of business and that it would devalue
a college degree. "Costs should come way down, tuition should come down, and that's where students should be saving money."
Source: The Spectrum (NDSU) on 2022 North Dakota Senate race
Jul 19, 2021
Tracy Potter:
Deregulate homeschooling for parents with H.S. diplomas
Sen. Potter voted NO on HB 1171. The bill passed the Senate 27-10.Synopsis: Vote to authorize parents who received a high school diploma to home school their children without oversight from a licensed teacher, whereas existing law requires parents to
have received at least a bachelors degree.
Authorizes parents without a high school diploma to home school their children, provided they adhere to the requirements previously established by existing law, including the oversight of a licensed teacher.
Source: North Dakota Legislative voting records
Apr 6, 2009
Tracy Potter:
Voted NO on Home School Deregulation
Potter voted NO on HB 1171: Vote to pass a bill that authorizes parents who received a high school diploma to home school their children without oversight from a licensed teacher, whereas existing law requires parents to have received at least a
bachelors degree. Highlights: - Increases the minimum number of credits of high school coursework necessary for a home schooled student to receive a high school diploma from 21 credits to 22 credits beginning with the 2009-2010 school year and
24 credits beginning with the 2011-2012 school year.
- Authorizes parents without a high school diploma to home school their children, provided they adhere to the requirements previously established by existing law
for parents who received a high school diploma, including the oversight of a licensed teacher.
- Bill Passed Senate 27--20; Bill passed House Concurrence Vote Passed: 51--38 .
Source: North Dakota voting records (VoteSmart Synopsis)
Apr 6, 2009
Wayne Stenehjem:
Supports charter schools; schools choice; & private funding
Stenehjem indicated support of the following principles regarding North Dakota's education system:- Increase state funds for professional development and salaries of public school faculty.
-
Encourage private or corporate investment in certain public school programs.
- Implement charter schools where teachers and other professionals receive state authorization and funding to establish new schools.
-
Emphasize local control of education as long as the school district meets state health and safety standards.
-
Support a school choice program which allows parents to choose which public school their child(ren) should attend.
Source: 1996 North Dakota National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 1996
Rick Becker:
Education Empowerment Program: reimburse private schools
HB 1369 (Education Empowerment Program -- Family Policy Alliance recommends voting FOR; Becker voted FOR)Established an Education Empowerment Program administered by the
Department of Public Instruction that would reimburse parents of children attending public or private schools for instructional or therapeutic needs (e.g., assistance with dyslexia schooling, additional courses otherwise unavailable).
Source: Family Policy Alliance on 2024 North Dakota Governor race
Jun 17, 2021
Rick Becker:
Displaying the Ten Commandments OK in schools
SB 2308 (Ten Commandments/Pledge of Allegiance in Schools- Family Policy Alliance recommends voting FOR; Becker voted FOR): Authorized schools within a district to display the
Ten Commandments as part of a display of other historical documents and authorized the schools to permit students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance
Source: Family Policy Alliance on 2024 North Dakota Governor race
Jun 17, 2021
Katrina Christiansen:
Invest in our public schools
Q: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?A: - We need representation that will work to connect people to opportunity.
- We need representation that will deliver investment to our public schools.
- We need to provide
resources to stop learning loss in the classroom and improve teacher retention.
- We need to provide resources to improve mental, social and behavioral health outcomes in our schools and communities.
- We need to expand the success of the state mill
by increasing value added processing capacity in the state.
- We need a senator who sees the value of investing in people, in each other and our future and actively works to make it happen.
Q: What legacy would you like to leave?
A:
Reformation in health care and education that allows everyone equal and equitable opportunity. Provide resources to schools to fulfill the mission that has expanded beyond reading and writing that now includes social and emotional well being.
Source: Candidate Connection on 2024 North Dakota Senate race
Nov 1, 2022
Kelly Armstrong:
Best workforce recruitment tool is our higher ed system
Armstrong emphasized the importance of drawing in young people and retaining them after graduation. "Our best workforce recruitment tool is our higher ed system," Armstrong said.Piepkorn agreed, pointing out that with state support in recent years,
businesses have been expanding apprenticeships and paid internships to students. He added local unions have ramped up their apprenticeship training programs geared toward younger workers to get them into high-paying career fields sooner.
Armstrong said he doesn't have the "silver bullet" to fix complicated workforce issues, but addressing housing, health care and educational needs would be a good start to drawing more potential to the state. "I don't know if we can handle $2 billion
economic development with no plan to build housing and no plan to recruit employees," Armstrong said. "It doesn't do North Dakota any good if that new business is poaching from existing businesses when you already have 15,000 to 30,000 open jobs."
Source: Bismarck Tribune on 2024 North Dakota Governor race
Sep 13, 2024
Kelly Armstrong:
Supports school choice, but not vouchers
[Democratic State Senator Merrill] Piepkorn said the state should increase its funding commitments for public education before any extra funding is allocated for a school choice program. "Taking money away, right now, from public education for vouchers,
any money you take and send in that direction, is going to mean less money for the public education we have now," Piepkorn said.[Republican U.S. Rep. Kelly]
Armstrong said he believes in school choice but doesn't think vouchers would be a good approach because private schools could raise their tuition to take advantage of the new state money. "It doesn't need to be either-or,"
Armstrong said. "We can fund our public school system and we can have the best public school system in the country, and we can still allow for significantly more parental autonomy in school choice."
Source: North Dakota Monitor on 2024 North Dakota Governor debate
Oct 10, 2024
Merrill Piepkorn:
Expand apprenticeships and paid internships to students
Armstrong emphasized the importance of drawing in young people and retaining them after graduation, according to the North Dakota Monitor. "Our best workforce recruitment tool is our higher ed system," Armstrong said.Piepkorn agreed, pointing out
that with state support in recent years, businesses have been expanding apprenticeships and paid internships to students. "Our Legislature does not always put as high a priority on higher education as we two gubernatorial candidates do,"
Piepkorn said. He added local unions have ramped up their apprenticeship training programs geared toward younger workers to get them into high-paying career fields sooner.
Armstrong said he doesn't have the "silver bullet" to fix complicated workforce
issues, but addressing housing, health care and educational needs would be a good start to drawing more potential to the state.
Source: Bismarck Tribune on 2024 North Dakota Governor race
Sep 13, 2024
Merrill Piepkorn:
Would have vetoed the state's book banning bills
Armstrong said much of [school board culture wars] comes down to local control. "I don't think any governor in Bismarck should be making decisions that are uniformly accepted across all counties to all degree," Armstrong said. "We elect school boards, we
elect city commissions, we elect county commissions, and we elect them for a reason, and I am not sure we should be dictating down to them what to do on those things."Piepkorn said he would have vetoed the state's book banning bills and the state's
abortion ban. "In some of these things, they are making an issue out of things that are not an issue," Piepkorn said. "I think some of these things are being brought into the Legislature from outside sources, national organizations, who have pinpointed
the Legislature to carry forth this agenda." He said in the year since the book banning bill went into effect, only one complaint was made against one book, after it was reviewed by the library board, the book remained in the children's section.
Source: Bismarck Tribune on 2024 North Dakota Governor race
Sep 13, 2024
Merrill Piepkorn:
Money for vouchers means less money for public education
[Democratic State Senator Merrill] Piepkorn said the state should increase its funding commitments for public education before any extra funding is allocated for a school choice program. "Taking money away, right now, from public education for vouchers,
any money you take and send in that direction, is going to mean less money for the public education we have now," Piepkorn said.[Republican U.S. Rep. Kelly]
Armstrong said he believes in school choice but doesn't think vouchers would be a good approach because private schools could raise their tuition to take advantage of the new state money. "It doesn't need to be either-or,"
Armstrong said. "We can fund our public school system and we can have the best public school system in the country, and we can still allow for significantly more parental autonomy in school choice."
Source: North Dakota Monitor on 2024 North Dakota Governor debate
Oct 10, 2024
Kelly Armstrong:
Our budget will support Education Savings Accounts
Our budget will support Education Savings Accounts--funding set aside for each student to direct toward services or tuition across our public, nonpublic or homeschool settings. The money follows the student, not the school, ensuring every student has
the tools they need to prepare for college, a career or the military. With Lt. Gov. Strinden's leadership and our legislative partners, we can ensure every parent has the freedom and flexibility to choose the right educational plan for their child.
Source: 2025 State of the State Address to North Dakota legislature
Jan 7, 2025
Page last updated: Feb 06, 2026