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Bill Summary · HB 1098

HB 1098 — North Dakota “North Dakota scholarship” (teaching-career eligibility)

Status: Filed with Secretary of State 04/08 (Introduced Nov. 12, 2024). Enacted with emergency clause (see enrollment notes).

Purpose / Intent

Amend NDCC § 15.1‑21‑02.10 to define and expand eligibility criteria for the North Dakota scholarship intended to encourage high school students to pursue a teaching career. The changes set specific academic, extracurricular, assessment, and experiential benchmarks that a resident student must meet to receive the scholarship.

Key provisions / Requirements

A resident student who otherwise meets § 15.1‑21‑02.6 is eligible for the North Dakota scholarship if the student completes all of the following:

  1. Preparatory and planning requirements

    • Completed an individual consultative process or a nine‑week course under § 15.1‑21‑18(2).
    • Completed the civics test required under § 15.1‑21‑27.
    • Completed a four‑year rolling plan as determined by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

  2. Academic standard

    • Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent course proficiency score for students in districts participating in an approved innovative education program with an approved waiver).

  3. Four-of-eight competency/participation options (must complete at least four while in grades 9–12):

    • 25 hours community service
    • 95% attendance rate (per § 15.1‑20‑02.1), excluding school‑related absences
    • Career exploration experience (as determined by Superintendent)
    • At least two years in organized cocurricular activities
    • At least two years in organized extracurricular activities
    • Capstone project (as determined by Superintendent)
    • An online learning course
    • Demonstrated competency in 21st‑century skills (as determined by Superintendent)

  4. Two-of-three pathway choices (must complete requirements in two subdivisions while in grades 9–12):

    • Academic pathway: ACT ≥ 24 or SAT ≥ 1180, plus at least two academic achievements (e.g., AP course grade ≥ C, dual‑credit grade ≥ C, Algebra II grade ≥ C, 3 fine‑arts courses, AP exam score ≥ 3, IB exam score ≥ 4, or ≥ 3.0 GPA in core admission courses).
    • Career & Technical Education (CTE) pathway: specific unit requirements (e.g., 4 CTE units including 2 from a coordinated plan; or 3 units same world/indigenous/sign language; or 2 units including 1 teaching‑profession course), ACT/SAT or WorkKeys benchmarks, plus two career‑readiness elements (e.g., career‑ready course, dual‑credit grade ≥ C, industry credential, 40 hours workplace learning, etc.).
    • Military pathway: ASVAB score ≥ 50 (or ≥ 31 plus completion of basic training within 90 days of graduation), grade ≥ C in physical education, and additional completion options (e.g., two of certain academic/CTE elements, 2 units JROTC, or phase one Civil Air Patrol).

Who is affected

  • Primary: North Dakota high school students (grades 9–12) who are residents and intend to pursue teaching.
  • Secondary: School districts (verification/implementation), the Department of Public Instruction (superintendent-defined elements and approvals), and institutions that administer the scholarship program.
  • Students in districts with approved innovative education programs may use equivalent proficiency scores where specified.

Administrative & procedural notes

  • Several elements (four‑year rolling plan, career exploration, capstone, 21st‑century skills standards, and approval of certain CTE plans/WorkKeys) are to be determined or approved by the Superintendent of Public Instruction and relevant state departments.
  • The Act includes an emergency clause (declares the measure an emergency), which accelerates its effective date upon enactment.
  • The bill amends and reenacts § 15.1‑21‑02.10; it does not appropriate scholarship funding or specify award amounts — funding/administration would follow existing scholarship program processes unless further appropriations or rules are adopted.

Potential impact

  • Encourages and formalizes a multi‑pathway approach to prepare and incentivize students for teacher careers.
  • May increase administrative workload for schools and DPI to verify and document student completion of specified items.
  • Supports multiple pathways (academic, CTE, military) to broaden access and recognize diverse preparation routes into the teaching profession.
  • No direct fiscal amounts included in the bill text; scholarship award level and funding sources remain subject to existing program rules or subsequent appropriations.

Sponsors / origin: Introduced in the Sixty‑ninth Legislative Assembly by Representatives Jonas, Heinert, Murphy, Schreiber‑Beck, Swiontek, Warrey; Senator Schaible.

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

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