The pandemic has caused a problem for education across the country.

The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction made a big announcement this week. The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on the educational systems throughout the country. And, in North Dakota, rural students' education has really suffered. But thanks to a new grant, eight rural school districts are going to get help improving their students' literacy skills.

Eight rural North Dakota schools will each get up to $500,000 awarded to help elementary students improve their literacy skills.

According to nd.gov, eight rural North Dakota schools are each going to receive grants of up to $500,000 "to strengthen reading programs for their students and professional development for their teachers." Glenburn, Hatton, Hillsboro, Lakota, Mapleton, Minto, Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood, and Park River will all be grant recipients. There will reportedly be audits done at each school. And State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler stated that "Each district will measure its results and make note best practices, information that can be shared with other school districts to benefit the entire state."

Something like this could be a great opportunity for schools throughout North Dakota.

Education has drastically changed over the past couple of years and it actually could be a good thing for American students. According to The Washington Post, school systems throughout the country are trying to implement ways to accelerate learning for students in ways that could be revolutionary in education for years to come. The story is calling this overhaul of pre-pandemic education "The Great Catch-Up."

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