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Committee hears Next Generation Leadership pilot: CDE and Guard propose curriculum, two coordinator FTEs
Summary
The Center For Distance Education and the North Dakota National Guard described a five-course Next Generation Leadership pilot to prepare students for military pathways and ASVAB readiness; CDE requested $192,000 in DPI for curriculum and the committee asked staff to examine whether two coordinator FTEs can be consolidated.
BISMARCK — The House committee heard a joint presentation from the Center For Distance Education (CDE) and the North Dakota National Guard on the Next Generation Leadership pilot program, including curriculum, staffing and how the program would fit into existing school frameworks.
Dr. Alyssa Martin, state director for the Center For Distance Education, described a five-course curriculum intended to teach military pathway readiness, prepare students for the ASVAB, provide physical fitness and mental health components, and include a CTE-aligned capstone. "The program itself consists of 5 courses," Martin said, and CDE reported it has launched the first course with 36 students already enrolled.
The two proposed coordinator FTEs would work statewide: coordinators would recruit and train National Guard recruiters to serve as "learning coaches," proctor assessments, help students access hands-on experiences (for example at Camp Grafton), and vet instructor licensure through ESPB. Martin said the coordinator role will include ongoing outreach and placement work that she views as continuing, not one-off.
DPI support: Steve Snow of the Department of Public Instruction testified in favor, saying DPI can handle credentialing and course-code alignment so the courses can count toward existing graduation or CTE requirements. Martin said CDE requested $192,000 in the DPI budget (House Bill 1013) to build curriculum and waive tuition for up to 300 students.
Committee concerns and next steps: Representatives asked whether both FTEs are necessary, whether existing Guard administrative capacity can cover coordination, and whether the position could be temporary after program launch. The Guard and CDE asked the committee to allow the coordinator authority now; staff agreed to do a deeper review and return with options about consolidating the administrative request before the next meeting.
The committee placed an emergency clause on the Next Generation coordinator line so the positions can be authorized quickly if needed; staff will return with an FTE spreadsheet and alternate staffing options.
