With cybersecurity jobs expected to grow 35% by 2031, North Dakota schools are preparing to meet the demand by integrating cybersecurity into their curricula. A new state law, passed in 2023 requires schools to incorporate cybersecurity education into their graduation requirements by July 2025. Districts can offer a dedicated one-credit course or create an integration plan to align cybersecurity standards with existing subjects.
Fargo Public Schools opted for an integration plan, aiming to embed cybersecurity lessons into current coursework. Jennifer Hess, the district’s coordinator of instructional resources, explains that this approach keeps student options open by weaving cybersecurity into classes like math and English. This strategy allows students to gain essential skills without sacrificing electives. During the 2023-2024 school year, the district focused on aligning these standards while keeping a flexible, student-centered curriculum.
Grand Forks Public Schools took a similar approach, identifying natural intersections between cybersecurity standards and their existing subjects. For example, they linked complex algorithm standards with math instruction and incorporated digital citizenship lessons into language arts. Eric Ripley, the district’s executive director of career and technical education, highlights the benefit of leveraging existing courses to meet new standards, ensuring teachers don’t feel overwhelmed by creating entirely new content.
Collaboration among districts has been essential in developing these plans. Fargo Public Schools worked closely with neighboring districts, including Bismarck Public Schools, to share resources and strategies. This collaborative effort extends beyond district borders, ensuring a consistent approach across North Dakota’s largest school systems.
In addition to district-level teamwork, educators and administrators gathered to craft these integration plans. Grand Forks assembled a committee of elementary and high school teachers, IT specialists, and administrators to ensure the standards are covered across all grade levels, preparing students from a young age for the demands of the digital world.
As the 2025 deadline approaches, North Dakota schools are working diligently to finalize their cybersecurity education plans. They aim to equip students with the skills needed for a rapidly evolving job market while enhancing their understanding of digital safety in an increasingly interconnected world.
