News Releases for November 2003
November 14, 2003
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Hoeven Proclaims Education Week, November 17-21
Education Week Proclamation 
(136 kb pdf)
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today proclaimed November 17-21, as “Education Week” in the state of North Dakota. The proclamation coincides with the National Education Association’s 82nd annual observance of American Education Week.
“Education is the bedrock on which we are building our future in North Dakota. Excellence in education enables us to achieve our greatest potential, as individuals and as a state.” Hoeven said. “This week is a great opportunity to showcase the great education system that we have in our state.”
Since becoming governor, Hoeven has pushed to increase funding for education by more than $74 million, and put it directly into North Dakota classrooms. He has also worked to ensure that North Dakota can recruit and retain excellent educators by dedicating funding to compensation increases, which resulted in an average increase in teacher compensation by $4500. The state, for the first time, has instituted a minimum salary for new teachers and increased that base by $1500 in the last session.
North Dakota has also been a leader at incorporating the Internet into classrooms. Every North Dakota high school and all school districts now have one or more computers hooked up to the Internet; the state ranks first in teacher usage of the Internet and; on average, there is one computer for every 2.8 students in our schools.
The National Assessment of Educational Progress, a report card on national student achievement, on Thursday released positive news about North Dakota students. Eight-graders in North Dakota ranked second and third in the nation in math and reading respectively. North Dakota fourth-graders ranked ninth and seventh in the nation in math and reading.
“Our dedication to our teachers and students is showing real progress,” Hoeven said. “Our student’s scores continue to rise on national achievement tests and we have the highest high school graduation and college participation rates in the nation.”
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