About Us
The North Dakota Curriculum Initiative (NDCI) is a long-term professional development program for North Dakota public and non-public school curriculum administrators and teachers. Funded by the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction and located on the campus of North Dakota State University, Fargo, this collaborative professional development project began in the fall of 2000 and has committed educators from across the state involved in the programs. An advisory committee, represented by curriculum leaders from across North Dakota, along with the North Central Comprehensive Center (NCCC) at Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL), has worked diligently in offering quality professional development to North Dakota educators.
The purpose of the NDCI is to
- help assure that all North Dakota students receive equitable educational classroom opportunities,
- assist students in acquiring the knowledge, skills, and shared values essential to our civic culture, and
- support students in attaining critical work and management skills essential to be productive and responsible citizens.
These purposes are sought through the creation and implementation of solid standards-based curricula in all North Dakota classrooms.
By regularly bringing together key curricular leaders and professional organizations, the NDCI agenda focuses on
- Standards - supporting statewide implementation of the North Dakota Common Core State Standards and a new state assessment system aligned with the standards
- Best practices - identifying and sharing research-based pedagogy, content, and assessment theory
- Networking - promoting communication and collaboration through institutions of higher education, professional organizations, McREL, and ASCD
- Professional development - providing sustained, intensive, and high-quality conferences and programs
- Technology - establishing electronic clearinghouse activities that connect the NDCI participants with professional listservs and association websites
- Public relations - disseminating timely and useful information for parents, teachers, policy makers, and the public