North Dakota left most pandemic decisions up to local control. Alleviating the learning gap will be no different Students nationwide have reported lower test scores and more mental health struggles because of schooling disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 6:30 am, Apr. 4, 2021 × Amelia Walter completes distance-learning schoolwork while her mom, Marguerite Walter, feeds her brother, Elliott, during the pandemic. Special to The Forum BISMARCK — In many aspects of North Dakota's battle with the COVID-19 pandemic, the state has given local communities control in deciding the best ways to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Now, there’s one more aspect of the pandemic that the state is allowing communities to tackle at their own discretion — student learning loss.