# Title 67 — Public Instruction, Superintendent of

## Article 67-31 — Reading Curriculum

## Chapter 67-31-01 — Professional Development for Grades Kindergarten Through Three Reading

### § 67-31-01-01. Definitions.

1. "Comprehension" means the process by which a reader thinks about written language to
extract and construct meaning through integration with the reader's prior knowledge and
experiences.
2. "Fluency" means the ability to read accurately, with expression, and at a rate that supports
deep understanding.
3. "Mastery" means the successful demonstration of knowledge in the areas of reading
competency described in this section.
4. "Phonemic awareness" means the ability to identify and manipulate individual sounds, called
phonemes, in spoken words.
5. "Phonics" means the alphabetic letter-sound correspondences used in reading, writing, and
spelling.
6. "Systematic direct instruction" means the carefully planned sequence of instruction with
organization of material that follows a developmentally appropriate order within a
pre-established routine. Systematic direct instruction is explicit, follows a gradual release
process, and allows opportunities for practice and feedback.
7. "Teacher-approved professional development" means professional development identified and
organized through the collaboration of district teachers and administrators.
8. "Vocabulary" means the knowledge of, and memory for word meanings which include
receptive and expressive skills in the areas of reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
History: Effective April 1, 2022.
General Authority: NDCC 15.1-21-12.1, 28-32-02
Law Implemented: NDCC 15.1-21-12.1
### § 67-31-01-02. Professional development required.

1. Pursuant to subsection 2 of North Dakota Century Code section 15.1-21-12.1, beginning with
the 2022-23 school year, each teacher and principal serving students in grades kindergarten
through three in a public or nonpublic school shall have attended teacher-approved
professional development training described in subsection 1 of North Dakota Century Code
section 15.1-21-12.1, or demonstrate mastery in the topics provided in that subsection.

2. Pursuant to subsection 2 of North Dakota Century Code section 15.1-21-12.1, beginning with
the 2022-23 school year, each teacher and principal newly hired to serve students in grades
kindergarten through three in a public or nonpublic school shall complete teacher-approved
professional development training described in subsection 1 of North Dakota Century Code
section 15.1-21-12.1 within one year of first-year placement, or demonstrate mastery in the
topics provided in that subsection.
3. Required trainings must have occurred on or later than July 1, 2018.
4. Teachers and principals that successfully completed reading training in accordance with North
Dakota Century Code section 15.1-13-35.1 are considered to have met the training
requirements of this section.
History: Effective April 1, 2022.
General Authority: NDCC 15.1-21-12.1, 28-32-02
Law Implemented: NDCC 15.1-21-12.1
### § 67-31-01-03. Implementation and compliance.

1. School districts and nonpublic schools shall choose curriculum and curricular resources
meeting the focus areas listed in subdivision b of subsection 1 of North Dakota Century Code
section 15.1-21-12.1.
2. Each school district or nonpublic school shall ensure compliance of this section in a manner
determined by the superintendent of public instruction.
3. The department shall collect assurances of school districts and nonpublic schools to ensure
compliance with subsection 4 of North Dakota Century Code section 15.1-21-12.1.
4. During the monitoring process, the school district or nonpublic school shall report the following
information regarding this chapter in a manner determined by the superintendent of public
instruction:
a. Reading curriculum and instruction;
b. Professional development and training offered for grades kindergarten through three, or
demonstrated mastery of literacy topics by teachers and principals; and
c. Assessment instruments to diagnose reading development and comprehension.
5. School districts and nonpublic schools shall report information required in subsection 4
annually to the department on the first day of October, unless the school district or nonpublic
school meets the requirements of subsection 6.
6. School districts and nonpublic schools that have submitted satisfactory information required
under subsection 4 and subsection 5 may be awarded an exemption from the additional
annual reporting requirements of subsection 5 for a period of up to three years. Satisfactory
information may include student outcome reading proficiency data collected using the
assessment instrument to diagnose reading development and comprehension, such as the
screening measures given three times per year in kindergarten through grade three.
History: Effective April 1, 2022.
General Authority: NDCC 15.1-21-12.1, 28-32-02
Law Implemented: NDCC 15.1-21-12.1
