News

Code.org, the Computer Science Teachers Association, and the Expanding Computing Education Pathways Alliance have released the 2020 State of Computer Science Education: Illuminating Disparities. The report shows that despite increased diversity in computer science classrooms across the country over the last decade, disparities still exist as fewer than half of high schools in the U.S. teach computer science.

North Dakota’s Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS) program now provides daily data on school, district and state learning preferences for students; face to face; hybrid (for example, two days a week face to face); or all distance learning: https://insights.nd.gov/Education/State/COVID.

Background

Several NDIT teams including EduTech, Collaboration Technologies, Security and Network have built strong relationships with North Dakota’s school districts over the years

North Dakota Chief Information Security Officer Kevin Ford  and NDUS Vice Chancellor of Information Technology Darin King announced today that NDIT Cybersecurity Operations Center (CyOC) and North Dakota University Systems’ technology team Core Technology Services (CTS) are partnering to ensure heightened cybersecurity as universities adapt to changing technology needs and increased virtual learning needs.

North Dakota Chief Information Officer Shawn Riley today announced the availability of CyberPatriot, an online cybersecurity competition for middle and high school students. CyberPatriot is the National Youth Cyber Education Program created by the Air Force Association to inspire K-12 students toward careers in cybersecurity or other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation's future. 

North Dakota Chief Information Security Officer Kevin Ford announced today that anti-malware software is available to all K-12 schools in North Dakota at no cost. NDIT is able to provide installation, licenses and self-service access for schools due to enhanced capabilities and a unified, statewide approach to cybersecurity strategy. Previously a small fee was required per device; however, that requirement is being removed due to increased threats tied to the pandemic and more widespread virtual learning.

State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler and EduTech Director Rosi Kloberdanz today announced a Code.org Professional Learning Program beginning in June for middle school teachers and July for high school teachers. There is also a program available for elementary teachers.

North Dakota’s Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS) program, which provides data to support schools, research and evaluation of education and training programs, has added new features on the Insights.nd.gov website. 

Gov. Doug Burgum today congratulated the 290 high school women from 21 schools who participated in this year’s Girls Go CyberStart competition sponsored by the SANS Institute. This program is designed to help young women develop creative thinking and problem-solving skills through a series of online cybersecurity challenges.

North Dakota Information Technology, EduTech, Gateway to Science and Microsoft Corp., today announced a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Portal, designed to help fill the growing need for PPE throughout the state.