Reading curriculum - Content - Professional development - Reports to legislative management
N.D. Cent. Code § 15.1-21-12.1
in effect15.1-21-12.1. 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:
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.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t15-1c21.pdf#nameddest=15p1-21-12p1Fetched: 10/16/2026