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Leaders with North Dakota's Parents Lead initiative say practicing morning routines, like getting ready for the bus, can be helpful in easing your child into another school year. (Adobe Stock)

Back to school blues: ND parents get the lowdown on talking to their child

Many North Dakota districts this week kick off a new school year, and a state initiative has advice for parents if their child is expressing a lot …

A new policy brief says North Dakota has one of the lower residential placement rates for youth offenders in the country. But nationally, report authors say there are still too many young people - roughly 2,500 on a typical day - being held in adult prisons and jails. (Adobe Stock)

New snapshot of youth incarceration shows hope, but disparities persist

Over the past couple of years, North Dakota has implemented juvenile justice reforms. And a new national report says there's been major progress in …

Researchers said children who live in poverty lose an additional two months of reading skills over the summer, with a lack of proper nutrition serving as a key factor. (Adobe Stock)

ND encourages more signups for kids' summer meal program

Some North Dakota leaders believe healthy food is part of what is needed to help all kids achieve better outcomes and they hope low-income families si…

North Dakota might top the nation when measuring the economic well-being of kids around state. But when specifically looking at education, it ranks 40th among all states. (Adobe Stock)

Despite positive ranking, ND sees worrisome trends for child well-being

On the surface, North Dakota is performing well in setting the tone for child well-being. However, an annual ranking finds certain indicators going …

Census data show more than 100,000 North Dakotans have some college credits, but no degree. Unpaid tuition or other school debt is cited as one reason why it's hard for these individuals to re-enroll. (Adobe Stock)

ND looks to ease 'upskill' obstacles for former college students

This summer, colleges and universities will have to comply with a new federal rule and not withhold students' transcripts over unpaid tuition and …

In a 2022 national survey of LGBTQ+ youth ages 13-18, nearly 54% of trans and gender-expansive youth reported feeling unsafe in at least one school setting. (Adobe Stock)

Oklahoma tragedy felt by LGBTQ advocates in ND

LGBTQ advocates in North Dakota have joined a nationwide coalition demanding accountability over the death of a non-binary teen from Oklahoma…

Because of their large batteries, electric school buses can be used as backup power sources for utilities when they are not in use during the summer. (Adobe Stock)

'Checking under the hood' of the electric school bus movement

Most school buses on the nation's roadways are still powered by diesel engines but in North Dakota and elsewhere, there is hope about the push to …

Policy experts say as it now stands, roughly 19 million children in the U.S. don't benefit from the federal Child Tax Credit because their families' incomes are too low. (Adobe Stock)

Federal Child Tax Credit could see another expansion with new deal in play

Congress is poised to consider renewing the expanded Child Tax Credit and policy analysts said the latest effort could help tens of thousands of North…

According to the advocacy group Kids in Danger, there were 100 children's product recalls in 2022, the highest number since 2013. (Adobe Stock/Generated with AI)

Post-holiday gift research urged for smart toys

The "smart toy" market is now a more than $16 billion industry and is expected to double by 2027. This holiday season, experts are warning parents to …

Cognia, a nongovernmental organization that accredits primary and secondary schools, says declining birth rates might make it harder for colleges and universities to maintain solid enrollment in the coming years. (Adobe Stock)

To boost enrollment, public university systems go big on tuition discounts

States like North and South Dakota are in a fierce battle to keep college affordable as public schools navigate the ebbs and flows of enrollment trend…

A growing body of research shows younger adults report higher levels of mental-health issues, while older adults say they feel more isolated. A North Dakota project has brought together these generations for mentorships tied to housing work, with hopes of building community connections. (Adobe Stock)

Cross-generational housing mentorships close community gaps in ND

As the weather turns colder, two groups of people in one North Dakota city that are generations apart appear to be in good shape to navigate housing …

Between 2019 and 2021, North Dakota saw a decline in high-schoolers using e-cigarette-type products, mirroring national trends. (AdobeStock)

National tobacco use data show mixed results for teens

Cigarettes may not appeal to America's youth like they did in the 1960s, but a significant number still experiment with e-cigarettes. The Centers …

The North Dakota Child Care Action Alliance said the state needs about 10,000 more childcare slots to meet the demand for young children with working parents. (Adobe Stock)

ND childcare crisis: What's the next step during session gap?

North Dakota's special legislative session on budget technicalities did not bring many surprises. Groups wanting to see more action on child care …

While several states adopted new school voucher bills this year, the Brookings Institution says another nine expanded existing programs. (Adobe Stock)

ND Public Schools State Their Case Amid Voucher Debate

New research is sharpening the focus on the debate over public funding for private school vouchers. And with North Dakota kids back in class…

Organizers with the Backpacks for Kids Program in the Bismarck area help ensure kids have access to food when they're away from school during the academic year, so they do not return to class distracted by hunger. (Photo courtesy of Community Action Program)

Starting the School Year Right: Relief Options for Kids in Low Income Settings

The start of a new school year can bring added stress to families, especially those experiencing poverty. In North Dakota, community-level …

In its most recent session, the North Dakota Legislature advanced nearly a dozen bills deemed hostile towards the LGBTQ community, including several new laws that advocates say unfairly target transgender students. (Adobe Stock)

ND Schools Prep for Laws Targeting Transgender Students

North Dakota school districts are making final preparations for the new academic year. But there are questions about what the environment will be …

Gallup officials said while their recent poll does not look at why Americans have less confidence these days in higher education, it is reasonable to think affordability issues are a likely factor. (Adobe Stock)

Amid Troubling Poll Numbers, ND College Carries Out New Vision

A new Gallup poll found Americans' confidence in higher education has fallen to 36%. It added to the headwinds facing colleges and universities…

Findings compiled by the Annie E. Casey Foundation give North Dakota high marks in some areas when it comes to child well-being, including kids' overall health. (Adobe Stock)

Policy Experts 'Look Under the Hood' for Child Well-Being in ND

An annual report measuring child well-being in the U.S. said several benchmarks have worsened. States like North Dakota fared better in the overall …

According to the Trevor Project, 16% of LGBTQ youth report they had slept away from parents or caregivers because they ran away from home, with more than half citing mistreatment or fear of mistreatment due to their LGBTQ identity. (Adobe Stock)

Feds Launch Housing Access Effort for LGBTQ Youth

Pride Month serves as a celebration of the LGTBQ community, but it also can raise awareness of challenges these individuals face. That includes youth …

According to 2022 data, more than 126,000 North Dakotans have insurance coverage through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program. (Adobe Stock)

ND Issues Medicaid Renewal Plea After Thousands Disenrolled

North Dakota officials are urging people receiving health coverage through a key public program to stay on top of their renewal if they are still elig…

Last fall, the American Library Association said the number of attempts to ban or restrict library resources in schools, universities and public libraries was on track to exceed record counts from 2021. (Adobe Stock)

ND Enters Fray Surrounding Content Ban for Libraries

North Dakota is expected to see continued debate in the coming weeks over a plan to ban certain items from public libraries. While the plan has its …

About 1 in 44 children has been identified as being on the autism spectrum, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

ND's Autism Task Force Seeks Input

North Dakota has a new survey online seeking information on how to better address the needs of people with autism. Right now, state officials admit …

Supporters of boosting wages for childcare workers in North Dakota say low pay is fueling the lack of available care. They say some families report traveling 80 miles roundtrip to bring their children to a provider. (Adobe Stock)

Guarded Optimism Surrounds ND Child Care Plan

Advocates for expanding child care in North Dakota are responding to the governor's proposal to improve access across the state. They said it is a …

Policy analysts say mental health disparities among kids result from generations of discriminatory policies that create barriers to accessing health care and other economic opportunities for families of color. (Adobe Stock)

ND Child Well-Being Summary Highlights Mental Health Concerns

Despite its high ranking, an annual child well-being report said children of color in North Dakota are still being left behind. The findings also …

A new report says saddling young offenders with debt, such as restitution, limits their opportunities for positive growth that can keep them out of trouble in the future. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Juvenile Justice Restitution Laws Need Reboot

States like North Dakota need to re-imagine their restitution laws for juvenile offenders, according to a new report, which showed the payments often …

For North Dakota's public colleges, average tuition fees are around $8,260 per year. (Adobe Stock)

ND Higher Education Still Affordable, But Accessibility Work Continues

North Dakota is among the top five states for college affordability. That ranking is in a new national report, and higher-education officials say …

As teens and adolescents report feeling more stress and anxiety during the pandemic, those who feel supported in places such as schools were less likely to feel sad and hopeless, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

ND Provider: Teen Mental-Health Needs Are Visible

As the school year winds down, mental-health providers say they recognize many students still feel the weight of the pandemic, and in North Dakota…

A new report says the United States needs to change its methodology in measuring youth detention in the juvenile justice system, fearing there is an undercount. (Adobe Stock)

ND Still Hopeful About Juvenile-Justice Reforms

The U.S. has made progress in reducing youth incarceration, but a new national report found there are still issues with confinement. In North Dakota…

Those calling for permanent universal free school meals say research has linked them to better academic outcomes. (Adobe Stock)

Supporters of Universal School Meals: Don't Stop Now

This summer, a key initiative to boost school meal access during the pandemic will expire. In North Dakota, those working at the community level say …

A new report says among responding districts, only 8% of North Dakota schools have LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum. (Adobe Stock)

ND Report Illustrates School-Related Issues for LGBTQ Youth

FARGO, N.D. -- A new report details how North Dakota students who identify as LGBTQ+ often struggle with the environment within their schools…

Since 2017, North Dakota has had around 1,500 children younger than 18 living in foster care annually. (Adobe Stock)

New ND Group Fills Void in Helping Kids Avoid Foster Care System

DICKINSON, N.D. -- Efforts continue in North Dakota to carry out programs put in limbo by this year's closing of Lutheran Social Services (LSS)…

Child-care advocates say if North Dakota doesn't boost funding for the system, more families might pull out of the workforce because of access issues. (Adobe Stock)

ND Leaders Urged to Think Big on Child-Care Spending

BISMARCK, N.D. - A portion of American Rescue Plan funding sent to North Dakota has yet to be divvied up. Groups that want to improve the child-care …

More than 64,000 North Dakotans are children younger than age 6. More than 70% have parents in the workforce. (Adobe Stock)

Report: ND Should Think of Child Care as Infrastructure

JAMESTOWN, N.D. -- A new report showed affordable and accessible child care remains an issue for North Dakota families. It is prompting calls for …

An annual well-being report said roughly 15,000 North Dakota children lacked health-care coverage leading up to the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

ND Children's Report Looks Good on Surface, But Concerns Lurk Beneath

FARGO, N.D. -- North Dakota ranks first in the U.S. when it comes to economic stability for children, according to an annual report measuring child …

In 2019, about 76,000 children were prosecuted in the adult system, and more than 80% were racial minorities, according to a report from Human Rights for Kids. (chatiyanon/Adobe Stock)

Outside of ND Efforts, Federal Overhaul of Juvenile Justice Proposed

FARGO, N.D. -- A bipartisan group of lawmakers is introducing a package of bills to make the federal criminal-justice system more fair and age-…

At the North Dakota capitol this year, the transgender sports bill is among legislation that saw the most spirited debate. (Adobe Stock)

Pressure on Burgum to Veto Transgender Sports Bill

BISMARCK, N.D. -- North Dakota's governor faces growing calls to reject legislation that would bar transgender student athletes from playing on …

Bills that would restrict transgender students from competing in high school sports have surfaced in several states this spring, including North Dakota. (Adobe Stock)

LGBTQ Advocates: Our Voices Ignored in Transgender Sports Debate

BISMARCK, N.D. -- North Dakota lawmakers have been revising a controversial bill concerning transgender students competing in high school sports…

Opponents of a proposed bill in North Dakota that would limit transgender student participation in sports could cost taxpayers money because of the expected legal challenges. (Adobe Stock)

Bill Targeting Transgender Athletes in ND Advances

BISMARCK, N.D. -- A North Dakota legislative committee has approved a measure that LGBTQ advocates said unfairly targets transgender athletes…

Advocates for providing free lunches to all students say it's time to remove any stigma associated with meal-assistance programs. (Adobe Stock)

ND Lawmakers Hear Plan for No-Cost Lunch for All Students

BISMARCK, N.D. -- North Dakota families facing hardships could see some relief from state lawmakers, with a bill that calls on the state to cover …

In addition to the 11 public school districts already approved, three more North Dakota districts have applied for a four-day-a-week schedule. (Adobe Stock)

More ND School Districts Testing 4-Day Weeks

BISMARCK, N.D. -- The number of North Dakota school districts moving to a four-day academic week has doubled in the past year - and more districts …

A 12-member panel in North Dakota examining ways to improve services for children includes lawmakers, agency officials, parents and community partners. (Adobe Stock)

New ND Children's Cabinet Gets its Feet Wet

BISMARCK, N.D. -- A new panel looking at issues facing North Dakota children meets today for only the second time since being formed last year…

The 16-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg began

ND Strike: Youths are 'Adults in the Room' on Climate Change

FARGO, N.D. – People demanding action on climate change are walking out of school and work on Friday in Fargo and around the world. Global …

A persistent lack of sleep can lead to long-term physical health problems. (reewungjunerr/Adobe Stock)

Doctors' Advice: Put Phone Down for Good Night's Sleep

BISMARCK, N.D. – With school back in session, doctors are saying, “Well, your mom is right – time to turn the phone off and get to …

North Dakota is lagging behind other states on many education markers. (minnemom/Flickr)

On the Right Path, ND Still Missing Key Components for Children

BISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota fares well in an annual analysis of child well-being, ranking 11th overall. But one state expert says the high …

Green ribbons are the symbol for Mental Health Awareness Month. (New Africa/Adobe Stock)

Mental Health Awareness Month: Catching Conditions is Early Key

BISMARCK, N.D. – May is Mental Health Awareness Month and North Dakotans are spreading the word about this stigmatized health issue. …

States are hopeful that the Family First Prevention Services Act will emphasize investments in families so that fewer children are removed and placed in foster care. (davef3138/Flickr)

Report: Big Gains in Family Placement for ND Foster Youths

BISMARCK, N.D. — More foster youths are being placed in families across the country, according to a new report. The Annie E. Casey Foundation …

Members of a small North Dakota school district used schools in California, Maine and South Dakota as models for a bold experiment in education. (gerik/Twenty20)

ND School District's "Bold Experiment" Eliminates Grade Levels

HUNTER, N.D. – In the rural North Dakota town of Hunter, an experiment is underway that educators in the area believe could revolutionize the …

Students nationwide walked out of class last week to protest gun violence. (Jeffrey Bary/Flickr)

North Dakotans Plan Saturday Marches to Protest Gun Violence

FARGO, N.D. — North Dakotans of all ages are joining students across the country on Saturday in the March for Our Lives. Protests are …

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