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SB 2362

AN ACT to amend and reenact section 15.1-02-11 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the accreditation of schools.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Jim Jonas and 3 co-sponsors

ND SB 2362 allows districts to choose accreditation paths, including a state option at no cost, with rules tied to measurable student outcomes.

Filed with Secretary Of State 03/26
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Bill Summary · SB 2362

Summary — SB 2362 (North Dakota, 2025)

Title: An Act to amend and reenact section 15.1‑02‑11 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the accreditation of schools

Purpose / Intent

SB 2362 revises state law governing school accreditation to give the Superintendent of Public Instruction authority to adopt accreditation rules, offer schools a choice of accreditation pathways (including a state‑provided option), and set processes to select and review accreditation options. The bill emphasizes that accreditation must be tied to measurable student achievement and school improvement.

Key provisions

  • Rulemaking authority: The Superintendent of Public Instruction may adopt rules for accreditation of both public and nonpublic schools. Any rule must incorporate measures of student achievement and be directly tied to improving student outcomes.
  • Multiple accreditation options: Schools may be offered a choice among accreditation options, including:
    • A state‑defined accreditation process created by the Superintendent; or
    • Accreditation via a nationally recognized accrediting organization, a formal school improvement organization, or a continuous improvement organization approved by the Superintendent.
  • Development and stakeholder input: The Superintendent may establish processes to (1) select which accreditation options will be available and (2) allow schools to choose among them. Development of those processes may include a steering committee with representatives of education stakeholder groups, school administrators, secondary and elementary principals, and school board members.
  • Standards and outcomes: Each accreditation option must meet or exceed state standards and provide measurable student‑achievement outcomes aligned with state goals. The Superintendent must periodically review and evaluate the effectiveness of each option in improving student achievement and school performance.
  • Local choice with approval: Individual schools may select the accreditation option that best aligns with their instructional and operational goals, subject to approval by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
  • State‑provided accreditation and costs:
    • The Superintendent shall contract with an accreditation organization or vendor to create a state‑provided accreditation option and offer it to each public school district at no charge.
    • If a district chooses to use another accreditation process from the Superintendent’s approved list, the district is responsible for any accreditation‑related costs.

Who is affected

  • Public school districts and schools (primary impact): gain flexibility to choose accreditation pathways; may incur costs if they select non‑state options.
  • Nonpublic (private) schools: included in rules governing accreditation.
  • North Dakota Department of Public Instruction / Superintendent: gains rulemaking authority, responsibility to approve options, contract for a state accreditation, and review effectiveness.
  • Accrediting organizations and vendors: may be approved to provide accreditation or be contracted to create the state option.
  • Local education stakeholders (administrators, principals, boards): involved in steering committee input and local selection decisions.

Procedural / timeline aspects

  • Introduced: March 12, 2025 (sponsored by Senators Schaible, Lemm, Weber; Representatives Jonas, Pyle). Companion bill: HB 3827.
  • Legislative action: Passed Senate (yeas 42, nays 4) and House (yeas 91, nays 1). Committee amendments and reviews were reported during the session; the Education Committee produced an amended report.
  • Enactment: Signed by legislative leaders, sent to the Governor, and signed by the Governor on March 25, 2025. Filed with the Secretary of State on March 26, 2025 (status: filed with Secretary of State).

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Increased local flexibility: districts can choose accreditation models that match their needs, potentially encouraging innovation or school improvement strategies.
  • Fiscal implications: the state will provide a no‑cost accreditation option for public districts, but districts selecting other approved options must pay accreditation costs.
  • Accountability focus: the statutory emphasis on measurable student achievement and periodic evaluation seeks to tie accreditation to outcomes, but the effectiveness will depend on rule details and the Superintendent’s implementation decisions.
  • Market effects: approved national or improvement organizations may see new demand; vendors may compete to provide the state option under contract.

For additional detail, see the amended text of section 15.1‑02‑11 (North Dakota Century Code) as enacted by SB 2362.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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