ND4PS EDITORIAL: Encouraging North Dakotans to Honor American Education Week by Supporting ND Public Schools Year-Round

Source:  ND4PS Coalition Editorial | November 17, 2025

Since 1921 during this week before Thanksgiving, Americans have celebrated American Education Week, a time for us to appreciate public schools and advocate for the tens of thousands of kids of all backgrounds and abilities who attend the 170 public school districts across our state.

North Dakotans for Public Schools is a coalition of regular, everyday people who value public education, not just this week but year-round, because we know that great public schools don’t happen by accident; they require resources, commitment, and hard work. That takes all of us – parents, educators, citizens, and elected officials – working together to make them strong and successful for our kids.

Unfortunately, there are some working against that shared effort, using their voices to tear down the very places where 94% of North Dakota’s school-aged kids learn. Their commentary isn’t provided to strengthen schools or help kids succeed. Instead, it creates doubt and division and erodes trust in our own neighborhood schools.

We do not believe public schools are perfect, but we know North Dakota’s public schools are filled with people – kids, teachers, coaches, paras, custodians, cooks, bus drivers, counselors, and countless others – who show up every day to learn, grow, face challenges, and make steady progress together. We always strive for improvement, and they need supportive communities beside them to do it.

We hope you’ll join us in strengthening, protecting, and celebrating North Dakota’s public schools and encourage you to stay informed and engaged, visit your local public school, volunteer in a classroom, attend a school board meeting, and seek understanding from the professionals who live, work, and raise their families right alongside you.