VCSU Selected to Lead North Dakota Network for Personalized Learning

VALLEY CITY, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) has selected Valley City State University (VCSU) to serve as the intermediary for the North Dakota Network for Personalized Learning (NDNPL), a statewide initiative to advance innovation, student engagement, and personalized learning across K–12 and higher education.

The NDNPL will connect educators, district leaders, and partners from across the state to co-design strategies, share best practices, and scale innovative approaches that reflect the diverse strengths and needs of North Dakota learners.

Personalized Learning, also referred to as Personalized, Competency Based Learning or Mastery Learning, focuses on a learners’ individual strengths, needs, and interests. Personalized learning practices allow for access to instruction, supports, and differentiated ways for learners to demonstrate what they know and can do, ensuring each learner graduates choice ready to positively impact the world.

Through a $1 million legislative investment, VCSU will establish and coordinate the North Dakota Center for Innovation and Personalized Learning, which will serve as the hub for advancing learner-centered practices that promote agency, equity, and well-being for every North Dakota student.

“North Dakota has been a national leader in innovation and personalized learning,” said Dr. Allen Burgad, Dean of the School of Education and Graduate Studies at VCSU. “Serving as the intermediary allows us to build on that foundation — aligning teacher preparation, leadership development, and school innovation around a shared vision that supports both student learning and educator wellness.”

As intermediary, VCSU will guide and evaluate the statewide scope of work, including:

• Supporting district and school innovation through professional learning, coaching, and evidence-based implementation models.
• Aligning higher education and K–12 systems to ensure future educators are prepared to design and deliver personalized learning experiences.
• Building professional networks that connect educators, leaders, and partners focused on transforming learning for every student.
• Measuring statewide progress using clearly defined success criteria focused on learner engagement, inclusion, and postsecondary readiness.

“VCSU’s leadership brings strong alignment between the university system and our state’s educational priorities,” said Ann Ellefson, Director for Academic Support at NDDPI. “The establishment of the North Dakota Center for Innovation and Personalized Learning will amplify the great work already happening in our schools and ensure it continues to grow with fidelity, purpose, and sustainability.”

Preparing Future and Current Educators

Through this initiative, VCSU will enhance its teacher preparation curriculum to integrate personalized learning practices, reflective of real-world classroom models across the state. Pre-service educators will engage in authentic field experiences that emphasize learner agency, social-emotional learning, and inclusive instruction.

In parallel, the North Dakota Center for Innovation and Personalized Learning will create new opportunities for current teachers and administrators to advance their practice and degrees through VCSU’s graduate programs, micro-credentials, and statewide professional learning pathways, strengthening the educator pipeline and supporting career-long growth.

“This initiative strengthens the bridge between pre-service teacher preparation and ongoing professional learning for educators in the field,” said Dr. Alan LaFave, President of VCSU. “By embedding personalized learning principles into both undergraduate and graduate programs, VCSU is ensuring that future and current teachers alike are equipped to meet the evolving needs of students and schools across North Dakota.”

James Boe, Dean for Graduate Studies and Extended Learning at VCSU, emphasized the collaboration that will bring personalized pathways to students.

“This work represents a powerful collaboration between higher education, K–12 schools, and the Department of Public Instruction,” he said. “Together, we are shaping a statewide model that connects research, practice, and innovation, ensuring that all students have access to meaningful, personalized pathways for success.”

About VCSU School of Education

Valley City State University, a member of the North Dakota University System, is a recognized leader in educator preparation and innovative teaching and learning. VCSU’s School of Education is deeply committed to advancing excellence in teacher education, community partnerships, and personalized learning pathways that prepare future-ready educators across the state.