North Dakota Code 15.1-21-12.1 – Reading curriculum – Content – Professional development – Reports to legislative management
1. Beginning July 1, 2022, each school district and nonpublic school shall ensure the portion of its curriculum which is related to reading:
Terms Used In North Dakota Code 15.1-21-12.1
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- year: means twelve consecutive months. See North Dakota Code 1-01-33
a. Is scientifically based, evidence based, and research based; b. Focuses on:
(1) Phonemic awareness; (2) Phonics; (3) Fluency; (4) Vocabulary; and
(5) Comprehension; and
c. Uses systematic direct instruction for students in kindergarten through grade three to ensure all students obtain necessary early reading skills.
2. Before the 2022-23 school year, each teacher who teaches kindergarten through grade three at a school district or nonpublic school, and each principal of a public or nonpublic school with kindergarten through grade three, shall attend teacher- approved, professional development training that includes training in the topics provided under subsection 1.
3. Each teacher or principal hired by a school district or nonpublic school that provides instruction in kindergarten through grade three shall complete the training under subsection 2, or demonstrate mastery of the topics provided under subsection 1, within one year of the teacher’s or principal’s first year of placement in the grade level or at the school.
4. To be approved by the superintendent of public instruction, each public and nonpublic school shall certify to the superintendent of public instruction that the district or school:
a. Ensures the placement of highly effective teachers in kindergarten through grade three; b. Has integrated reading instruments used to diagnose reading development and comprehension; and
c. Has integrated evidence-based resources to support reading development and comprehension.
5. The superintendent of public instruction shall provide ongoing assistance to school districts and nonpublic schools to be in and maintain compliance with this section.
6. The superintendent of public instruction, in collaboration with the kindergarten through grade twelve education coordination council, shall adopt rules to implement this section, including rules to monitor implementation and compliance with this section.
7. The superintendent of public instruction shall provide periodic reports to the legislative management on the implementation and effectiveness of this section in improving educational outcomes and reading competency of students.