2013 North Dakota Century Code Title 15.1 Elementary and Secondary Education Chapter 15.1-21 Curriculum and Testing
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CHAPTER 15.1-21
CURRICULUM AND TESTING
15.1-21-01. Elementary and middle schools - Required instruction.
In order to be approved by the superintendent of public instruction, each public and
nonpublic elementary and middle school shall provide to students instruction in:
1. English language arts, including reading, composition, creative writing, English
grammar, and spelling.
2. Mathematics.
3. Social studies, including:
a. The United States Constitution;
b. United States history;
c. Geography;
d. Government; and
e. North Dakota studies, with an emphasis on the geography, history, and
agriculture of this state, in the fourth and eighth grades.
4. Science, including agriculture.
5. Physical education.
6. Health, including physiology, hygiene, disease control, and the nature and effects of
alcohol, tobacco, and narcotics.
15.1-21-02. High schools - Required units.
1. In order to be approved by the superintendent of public instruction, each public and
nonpublic high school shall make available to each student:
a. Four units of English language arts from a sequence that includes literature,
composition, and speech;
b. Four units of mathematics, including:
(1) One unit of algebra II; and
(2) One unit for which algebra II is a prerequisite;
c. Four units of science, including:
(1) One unit of physical science; and
(2) One unit of biology;
d. Four units of social studies, including:
(1) One unit of world history;
(2) One unit of United States history; and
(3) (a) One unit of problems of democracy; or
(b) One-half unit of United States government and one-half unit of
economics;
e. One-half unit of health;
f. One-half unit of physical education during each school year, provided that once
every four years the unit must be a concept-based fitness class that includes
instruction in the assessment, improvement, and maintenance of personal fitness;
g. Two units of fine arts, at least one of which must be music;
h. Two units of the same foreign or native American language;
i. One unit of an advanced placement course or one unit of a dual-credit course;
and
j. Two units of career and technical education from a coordinated plan of study
recommended by the department of career and technical education and approved
by the superintendent of public instruction.
2. In addition to the requirements of subsection 1, each public and nonpublic high school
shall make available to each student, at least once every two years, one-half unit of
North Dakota studies, with an emphasis on the geography, history, and agriculture of
this state.
3. Each unit which must be made available under this section must meet or exceed the
state content standards.
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4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
For purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise requires, "make available"
means that:
a. Each public high school and nonpublic high school shall allow students to select
units over the course of a high school career from a list that includes at least
those required by this section;
b. If a student selects a unit from the list required by this section, the public high
school or the nonpublic high school shall provide the unit to the student; and
c. The unit may be provided to the student through any delivery method not contrary
to state law and may include classroom or individual instruction and distance
learning options, including interactive video, computer instruction,
correspondence courses, and postsecondary enrollment under chapter 15.1-25.
The board of a school district may not impose any fees or charges upon a student for
the provision of or participation in units as provided in this section, other than the fees
permitted by section 15.1-09-36.
If in order to meet the minimum requirements of this section a school district includes
academic courses offered by a postsecondary institution under chapter 15.1-25, the
school district shall:
a. Pay all costs of the student's attendance, except those fees that are permissible
under section 15.1-09-36; and
b. Transport the student to and from the location at which the course is offered or
provide mileage reimbursement to the student if transportation is provided by the
student or the student's family.
The requirements of this section do not apply to alternative high schools or alternative
high school education programs.
The requirements of subdivisions g and h of subsection 1 do not apply to the North
Dakota youth correctional center.
15.1-21-02.1. High school diploma - Minimum units.
Except as provided in section 15.1-21-02.3 or as otherwise agreed to in the compact on
educational opportunity for military children, before a school district, a nonpublic high school, or
the center for distance education issues a high school diploma to a student, the student must
have successfully completed:
1. The twenty-two units of high school coursework set forth in section 15.1-21-25; and
2. Any additional units of high school coursework required by the issuing entity, two of
which may be theological studies if taught in a nonpublic school by an approved
theological studies instructor.
15.1-21-02.2. High school graduation - Minimum requirements.
Except as provided in section 15.1-21-02.3, the following twenty-two units of high school
coursework constitute the minimum requirement for high school graduation:
1. Four units of English language arts from a sequence that includes literature,
composition, and speech;
2. Three units of mathematics;
3. Three units of science, including:
a. One unit of physical science;
b. One unit of biology; and
c. (1) One unit of any other science; or
(2) Two one-half units of any other science;
4. Three units of social studies, including:
a. One unit of United States history;
b. (1) One-half unit of United States government and one-half unit of economics;
or
(2) One unit of problems of democracy; and
c. One unit or two one-half units of any other social studies, which may include
civics, civilization, geography and history, multicultural studies, North Dakota
studies, psychology, sociology, and world history;
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5.
6.
7.
a. One unit of physical education; or
b. One-half unit of physical education and one-half unit of health;
Three units of:
a. Foreign languages;
b. Native American languages;
c. Fine arts; or
d. Career and technical education courses; and
Any five additional units.
15.1-21-02.3. Optional high school curriculum - Requirements.
If after completing at least two years of high school a student has failed to pass at least
one-half unit from three subsections in section 15.1-21-02.1 or has a grade point average at or
below the twenty-fifth percentile of other students in the district who are enrolled in the same
grade, the student may request that the student's career advisor, guidance counselor, or
principal meet with the student and the student's parent to determine if the student should be
permitted to pursue an optional high school curriculum, in place of the requirements set forth in
section 15.1-21-02.1. If a student's parent consents in writing to the student pursuing the
optional high school curriculum, the student is eligible to receive a high school diploma upon
completing the following requirements:
1. Four units of English language arts from a sequence that includes literature,
composition, and speech;
2. Two units of mathematics;
3. Two units of science;
4. Three units of social studies, which may include up to one-half unit of North Dakota
studies and one-half unit of multicultural studies;
5. a. One unit of physical education; or
b. One-half unit of physical education and one-half unit of health;
6. Two units of:
a. Foreign languages;
b. Native American languages;
c. Fine arts; or
d. Career and technical education courses; and
7. Any seven additional units.
15.1-21-02.4. North Dakota career and technical education scholarship.
Any resident student who graduates from a high school during or after the 2010-11 school
year and any resident student who completes a program of home education supervised in
accordance with chapter 15.1-23 during or after the 2012-13 school year is eligible to receive a
North Dakota career and technical education scholarship provided the student:
1. Completed four units of English language arts from a sequence that includes literature,
composition, and speech;
2. Completed three units of mathematics, including:
a. One unit of algebra II, as defined by the superintendent of public instruction; and
b. Two units of any other mathematics;
3. Completed three units of science, including:
a. One unit of physical science;
b. One unit of biology; and
c. (1) One unit of any other science; or
(2) Two one-half units of any other science;
4. Completed three units of social studies, including:
a. One unit of United States history;
b. (1) One-half unit of United States government and one-half unit of economics;
or
(2) One unit of problems of democracy; and
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c.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
One unit or two one-half units of any other social studies, which may include
civics, civilization, geography and history, multicultural studies, North Dakota
studies, psychology, sociology, and world history;
a. Completed one unit of physical education; or
b. One-half unit of physical education and one-half unit of health;
Completed:
a. One unit selected from:
(1) Foreign languages;
(2) Native American languages;
(3) American sign language;
(4) Fine arts; or
(5) Career and technical education courses; and
b. Two units of a coordinated plan of study recommended by the department of
career and technical education and approved by the superintendent of public
instruction;
Completed any five additional units, two of which must be in the area of career and
technical education;
a. (1) Obtained a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 grading
scale, as determined by the superintendent of public instruction, based on
all high school units in which the student was enrolled; and
(2) Obtained a grade of at least "C" in each unit or one-half unit; or
b. (1) Obtained a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 grading
scale, as determined by the superintendent of public instruction, based only
on the units required by subsections 1 through 7; and
(2) Obtained a grade of at least "C" in each unit or one-half unit; and
Received:
a. A composite score of at least twenty-four on an ACT; or
b. A score of at least five on each of three WorkKeys assessments recommended
by the department of career and technical education and approved by the
superintendent of public instruction.
15.1-21-02.5. North Dakota academic scholarship.
Any resident student who graduates from a high school during or after the 2010-11 school
year and any resident student who completes a program of home education supervised in
accordance with chapter 15.1-23 during or after the 2012-13 school year is eligible to receive a
North Dakota academic scholarship provided the student:
1. Completed four units of English language arts from a sequence that includes literature,
composition, and speech;
2. Completed three units of mathematics, including:
a. One unit of algebra II, as defined by the superintendent of public instruction; and
b. One unit of mathematics for which algebra II, as defined by the superintendent of
public instruction, is a prerequisite;
3. Completed three units of science, including:
a. One unit of physical science;
b. One unit of biology; and
c. (1) One unit of any other science; or
(2) Two one-half units of any other science;
4. Completed three units of social studies, including:
a. One unit of United States history;
b. (1) One-half unit of United States government and one-half unit of economics;
or
(2) One unit of problems of democracy; and
c. One unit or two one-half units of any other social studies, which may include
civics, civilization, geography and history, multicultural studies, North Dakota
studies, psychology, sociology, and world history;
5. a. Completed one unit of physical education; or
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6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
b.
a.
One-half unit of physical education and one-half unit of health;
Completed two units of:
(1) The same foreign language;
(2) The same native American language;
(3) American sign language; or
(4) Career and technical education from a coordinated plan of study
recommended by the department of career and technical education and
approved by the superintendent of public instruction; and
b. One unit selected from:
(1) Foreign languages;
(2) Native American languages;
(3) American sign language;
(4) Fine arts; or
(5) Career and technical education;
Completed any five additional units;
a. (1) Obtained a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 grading
scale, as determined by the superintendent of public instruction, based on
all high school units in which the student was enrolled; and
(2) Obtained a grade of at least "C" in each unit or one-half unit; or
b. (1) Obtained a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 grading
scale, as determined by the superintendent of public instruction, based only
on the units required by subsections 1 through 7; and
(2) Obtained a grade of at least "C" in each unit or one-half unit;
Received a composite score of at least twenty-four on an ACT; and
a. Fulfilled any one unit requirement set forth in subsections 1 through 7 by means
of an advanced placement course and examination; or
b. Fulfilled any one-half unit requirement set forth in subsections 1 through 7 by
means of a dual-credit course.
15.1-21-02.6. North Dakota scholarship - Amount - Applicability.
1. a. The state board of higher education shall provide to any student certified as being
eligible by the superintendent of public instruction either a North Dakota
academic scholarship or a North Dakota career and technical education
scholarship in the amount of seven hundred fifty dollars for each semester during
which the student is enrolled full time at an accredited institution of higher
education in this state and maintains a cumulative grade point average of 2.75.
b. The state board of higher education shall provide to any student certified as being
eligible by the superintendent of public instruction either a North Dakota
academic scholarship or a North Dakota career and technical education
scholarship in the amount of five hundred dollars for each quarter during which
the student is enrolled full time at an accredited institution of higher education in
this state and maintains a cumulative grade point average of 2.75.
2. The state board shall monitor each scholarship recipient to ensure that the student
meets the academic and other requirements of this section. Upon determining that a
recipient student has failed to meet the requirements of this section, the board shall
provide notification to the student within ten days.
3. A student is not entitled to receive more than six thousand dollars under this section.
4. The state board of higher education shall forward the scholarship directly to the
institution in which the student is enrolled.
5. a. (1) This section does not require a student to be enrolled in consecutive
semesters.
(2) This section does not require a student to be enrolled in consecutive
quarters.
b. However, a scholarship under this section is valid only for six academic years
after the student's graduation from high school and may not be applied to
graduate programs.
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6.
7.
A scholarship under this section is available to any eligible resident student who fulfills
the requirements of section 15.1-21-02.4 or 15.1-21-02.5 and who:
a. Graduates from a high school in this state;
b. Graduates from a high school in a bordering state under chapter 15.1-29;
c. Graduates from a nonpublic high school in a bordering state while residing with a
custodial parent in this state; or
d. Completes a program of home education supervised in accordance with chapter
15.1-23.
a. For purposes of North Dakota scholarship eligibility under this section, "full-time"
means enrollment in at least twelve credits during a student's first two semesters
and enrollment in at least fifteen credits during each semester thereafter or
enrollment in the equivalent number of credits, as determined by the state board
of higher education, with respect to students in a quarter system.
b. (1) If a student requires fewer than fifteen credits to graduate, the student may
retain scholarship eligibility by enrolling in fewer than fifteen but at least
twelve credits during the semester, or the equivalent number of credits, as
determined by the state board of higher education, with respect to students
in a quarter system.
(2) Students who graduated from high school during the 2009-10 or the
2010-11 school year and who have completed six semesters may retain
scholarship eligibility by enrolling in only twelve credits during each of the
student's final two semesters, or the equivalent number of credits, as
determined by the state board of higher education, with respect to students
in a quarter system.
(3) The requirement that a student be enrolled in at least fifteen credits, as set
forth in subdivision a, does not apply in the case of a student participating in
a clinical, practicum, internship, cooperative program, or similar external
experience, provided the external experience is equivalent to at least twelve
units, or such similar amount as determined by the state board of higher
education, with respect to students in a quarter system, and considered to
be a "full time" placement for purposes of meeting graduation requirements.
15.1-21-02.7. North Dakota scholarship opportunities - 2009-10 high school
graduates.
1. Except as provided in subsection 3, any resident student who graduates from a high
school during the 2009-10 school year is eligible to receive a North Dakota academic
scholarship, provided the student is certified by the superintendent of public instruction
as having obtained a composite score of at least twenty-four on an ACT.
2. Except as provided in subsection 3, any resident student who graduates from a high
school during the 2009-10 school year is eligible to receive a North Dakota technical
scholarship, provided the student is certified by the superintendent of public instruction
as having obtained:
a. A composite score of at least twenty-four on an ACT; or
b. A score of at least five on each of three WorkKeys assessments recommended
by the department of career and technical education and approved by the
superintendent of public instruction.
3. A student is eligible to receive a scholarship under either subsection 1 or 2, but may
not receive a scholarship under both subsections.
15.1-21-02.8. North Dakota scholarship - Eligibility - One-time exception.
1. a. Notwithstanding section 15.1-21-02.6, if a student's cumulative grade point
average as determined by the state board of higher education at the conclusion
of a semester is below 2.75, the board shall grant an exception and provide the
North Dakota scholarship to which the student would otherwise be entitled for the
next semester in which the student is enrolled full time. The exception provided
by this section is applicable to a student only one time.
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b.
2.
a.
b.
If a student's cumulative grade point average as determined by the state board of
higher education at the conclusion of a semester is below 2.75 for a second time,
the student is no longer eligible to receive any additional North Dakota academic
or career and technical education scholarships.
Notwithstanding section 15.1-21-02.6, if a student's cumulative grade point
average as determined by the state board of higher education at the conclusion
of a quarter is below 2.75, the board shall grant an exception and provide the
North Dakota scholarship to which the student would otherwise be entitled for the
next quarter in which the student is enrolled full time. The exception provided by
this section is applicable to a student only one time.
If a student's cumulative grade point average as determined by the state board of
higher education at the conclusion of a quarter is below 2.75 for a second time,
the student is no longer eligible to receive any additional North Dakota academic
or career and technical education scholarships.
15.1-21-03. High school unit - Instructional time.
1. Except as provided in subsection 2, each unit must consist of at least one hundred
twenty hours of instruction per school calendar.
2. The following units must consist of at least one hundred fifty hours of instruction per
school calendar: natural sciences, agriculture, business and office technology,
marketing, diversified occupations, trade and industrial education, technology
education, and health careers.
3. The hour requirements of this section are subject to reductions resulting from the
holidays and nonstudent contact days provided for in section 15.1-06-04.
4. This section does not apply to schools or school districts having block schedules
approved by the superintendent of public instruction.
15.1-21-04. Minimum high school courses - Alternative curriculum plans.
1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, each student shall enroll in at least four
units of high school work in each grade from nine through twelve.
2. A student in grade twelve may enroll in fewer than four units of work, provided:
a. The student requires fewer than four units of work for graduation; and
b. The board of the school district has adopted an alternative high school senior
curriculum plan.
3. An alternative high school senior curriculum plan becomes effective if:
a. It is adopted by action of the school board;
b. It contains specific criteria under which a high school senior may enroll in fewer
than four units of work; and
c. It has been submitted to and approved by the superintendent of public instruction.
15.1-21-05. Indian education curriculum.
The superintendent of public instruction may develop an Indian education curriculum to be
implemented within the minimum curriculum requirements for elementary and secondary
schools. The superintendent shall provide for continuing research and evaluation and for
inservice training necessary to implement an Indian education curriculum.
15.1-21-06. Goals 2000 - Participation voluntary.
The board of a school district may choose to participate or not to participate in the Goals
2000 Educate America Act [Pub. L. 103-227; 108 Stat. 125; 20 U.S.C. 5801 et seq.]. A board
that chooses to participate and directly or indirectly receives federal funds for its participation
shall expend the funds in the manner it determines best meets the goal of educational
enhancement in the school district, in accordance with the district's locally developed goals
2000 educational improvement application plan. The superintendent of public instruction may
not impose any financial penalty or other sanction on a school or school district if the school
board chooses, at any time, to terminate participation in the Goals 2000 Educate America Act.
Page No. 7
15.1-21-07. School-to-work - Student participation voluntary.
Before an elementary or secondary school student may participate in any course, program,
or project offered under the auspices of the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994
[Pub. L. 103-239; 108 Stat. 568; 20 U.S.C. 2394 et seq.], the student's school principal shall
obtain the written consent of the student's parent or legal guardian. Participation by a student is
voluntary and may not be deemed a condition of graduation. Neither school personnel, school
district personnel, nor the superintendent of public instruction may impose any academic
penalties or any other sanctions on a student for failure to participate. A student's participation in
a course, program, or project offered under the auspices of the School-to-Work Opportunities
Act of 1994 is subject to all state and federal child labor laws.
15.1-21-08. Reading, mathematics, and science - Administration of test.
1. The superintendent of public instruction shall administer to public school students a
test that is aligned to the state content and achievement standards in reading and
mathematics. This test must be administered annually to all public school students in
grades three, four, five, six, seven, eight, and in at least one grade level selected from
nine through eleven.
2. The superintendent of public instruction shall administer a test that is aligned to the
state content and achievement standards in science. This test must be administered to
all public school students in at least one grade level selected from three through five,
in at least one grade level selected from six through nine, and in at least one grade
level selected from ten and eleven.
15.1-21-09. Test scores - Compilation.
The superintendent of public instruction shall arrange for the compilation of test scores in a
manner that indicates achievement and allows a comparison of individual students, classrooms
within a given school and school district, schools within the state, and school districts within the
state. The test scores must also allow for comparisons based on students' gender, ethnicity,
economic status, service status, and assessment status, unless doing so enables the
identification of any student.
15.1-21-10. Test scores - Publication.
Upon receiving notice that the compilation of test scores has been completed, the
superintendent of public instruction shall inform the legislative council. The superintendent shall
present the test scores publicly for the first time at a meeting of a legislative committee
designated by the legislative management. At the meeting, the superintendent and
representatives of the testing service that created the tests shall provide detailed testimony
regarding the testing instrument, the methodology used to test and assess the students, the
established cut scores, the methodology used to determine the cut scores, the validation of all
test products, and the significance of the test scores.
15.1-21-11. Superintendent of public instruction - Review of test questions.
The superintendent of public instruction shall require that the entity developing a test to be
administered under section 15.1-21-08 not include questions that might be deemed personal to
a student or to the student's family and that the entity developing the test not include questions
requiring responses that might be deemed personal to a student or to the student's family.
Before a test is finalized for use in this state, the superintendent shall require that the test be
reviewed by a standards alignment committee appointed by the superintendent to ensure that
the test meets the requirements of this section.
15.1-21-12. Professional development - Use of available funds.
1. On or before October first of each year, each school district shall file a report with the
superintendent of public instruction indicating:
a. The amount and source of funds that were made available to the district for
professional development during the preceding school year;
Page No. 8
b.
2.
The amount and source of funds that were expended by the district for
professional development during the preceding school year; and
c. A separate list of the professional development activities in which the district
participated during the preceding school year and the amount of time committed
to the activities.
The superintendent of public instruction shall compile the information submitted under
this section to determine how much of the available funding for professional
development was used by school districts in this state and, beginning with the reports
due on or before October 1, 2002, whether the expenditure correlated with increased
student achievement on the reading and mathematics tests required by section
15.1-21-08.
15.1-21-13. Content standards - Translation - Curriculum.
Each district shall provide upon request a copy of its content standards in the areas of
reading and mathematics, a translation of the district's content standards in the areas of reading
and mathematics for individuals who do not have a background in elementary or high school
education, and a copy of the curriculum or syllabus used by each teacher of reading and
mathematics.
15.1-21-14. Test - Availability for viewing.
Upon request, a school district must allow any individual over the age of twenty to view any
test administered under sections 15.1-21-08 through this section as soon as the test is in the
possession of the school district.
15.1-21-15. Electronic course delivery - Approval process.
1. Before a person may provide elementary or high school courses electronically to a
student, school, or school district in this state, the person must obtain annual approval
from the superintendent of public instruction. The electronic delivery of a course
includes online and technological delivery methods.
2. Before the superintendent of public instruction may grant approval to a person under
this section, the superintendent shall verify that:
a. All courses offered by the person in this state are aligned with the state content
and performance standards and if standards do not exist for a particular course,
the criteria must ensure that the course content is sufficiently challenging for
students, given the grade level at which it is offered;
b. All teachers involved in the electronic delivery of a course meet or exceed the
qualifications and licensure requirements placed on the teachers by the state in
which the course originates; and
c. All students receiving a course electronically have ongoing contact time with the
teachers of the course.
3. The approval process provided for in this section does not apply to a course provided
electronically between approved schools in this state.
15.1-21-16. Summer school courses and programs - Eligibility for payment.
The summer school courses and programs for which a school district may receive payment
as provided in section 15.1-27-19 are:
1. a. Remedial mathematics provided to students enrolled in any grade from
kindergarten through eight;
b. Remedial reading provided to students enrolled in any grade from kindergarten
through eight;
c. Beginning after the conclusion of the 2009-10 school calendar, mathematics
provided to students enrolled in any grade from five through eight;
d. Beginning after the conclusion of the 2009-10 school calendar, reading provided
to students enrolled in any grade from five through eight;
Page No. 9
e.
2.
Beginning after the conclusion of the 2009-10 school calendar, science provided
to students enrolled in any grade from five through eight; and
f. Beginning after the conclusion of the 2009-10 school calendar, social studies
provided to students enrolled in any grade from five through eight; and
Any other high school summer courses that satisfy requirements for graduation,
comprise at least as many clock-hours as courses offered during the regular school
term, and comply with rules adopted by the superintendent of public instruction.
15.1-21-17. Interim assessment.
Each school district shall administer annually to students in grades two through ten the
measures of academic progress test or any other interim assessment approved by the
superintendent of public instruction.
15.1-21-18. Career interest inventory - Educational and career planning Consultation.
1. A school district shall administer to students, once during their enrollment in grade
seven or eight and once during their enrollment in grade nine or ten, a career interest
inventory recommended by the department of career and technical education and
approved by the superintendent of public instruction.
2. At least once during the seventh or eighth grade, each school district shall arrange for
students to participate in either an individual consultative process or a nine-week
course, for the purpose of discussing the results of their career interest inventory,
selecting high school courses appropriate to their educational pursuits and career
interests, and developing individual high school education plans.
3. Each school district shall notify its high school students that, upon request, a student is
entitled to receive a consultative review of the student's individual high school
education plan at least once during each high school grade. Upon the request of a
student, the school district shall provide the consultative review.
4. Each school district shall verify compliance with the requirements of this section at the
time and in the manner required by the superintendent of public instruction.
15.1-21-19. Summative assessment - Selection - Cost - Exemptions.
1. Except as otherwise provided, each public and nonpublic school student in grade
eleven shall take the ACT, including the writing test, or three WorkKeys assessments
recommended by the department of career and technical education and approved by
the superintendent of public instruction. The student shall determine which summative
assessment to take. The superintendent of public instruction is responsible for the cost
of procuring and administering one summative assessment per student.
2. The student's career advisor or guidance counselor shall meet with the student to
review the student's assessment results.
3. A school district superintendent or a school administrator in the case of a nonpublic
school student may exempt a student from the requirements of this section if taking
the test is not required by the student's individualized education program plan or if
other special circumstances exist.
4. At the time and in the manner determined by the superintendent of public instruction,
each school district superintendent and each school administrator in the case of a
nonpublic school shall report the number of eleventh grade students who:
a. Took the ACT, including the writing test;
b. Took the three WorkKeys assessments; and
c. Were exempted from the requirements of this section, together with the reason
for each exemption.
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15.1-21-20. Summative assessment - General educational development diploma Selection - Cost.
1. Except as otherwise provided, each student pursuing a general educational
development diploma may take the ACT or three WorkKeys assessments
recommended by the department of career and technical education and approved by
the superintendent of public instruction. The student shall determine which summative
assessment to take. The school district in which the student resides at the time the
student takes the summative assessment is responsible for the cost of one summative
assessment and its administration per student.
2. The student's career advisor or guidance counselor shall meet with the student to
review the student's assessment results.
3. This section is applicable only to a student who has not reached the age of twenty-one
before August first of the year of enrollment.
15.1-21-21. Concepts of personal finance - Inclusion in curriculum.
1. Beginning July 1, 2010, each school district shall ensure that its curriculum for either
economics or problems of democracy includes the exposure of students to concepts of
personal finance, including:
a. Checkbook mechanics, including writing checks, balancing, and statement
reconciliation;
b. Saving for larger purchases;
c. Credit, including credit card usage, interest, and fees;
d. Earning power, including jobs for teenagers;
e. Taxation and paycheck withholdings;
f. College costs;
g. Making and living within a budget; and
h. Mortgages, retirement savings, and investments.
2. Upon written request, the superintendent of public instruction may allow a school
district annually to select courses other than economics or problems of democracy for
purposes of exposing students to the concepts of personal finance, as listed in this
section, provided the school district can demonstrate that the number of students
exposed to the concepts in the other selected courses would meet or exceed the
number of students exposed under the requirements of subsection 1.
3. The requirements of this section may be provided by the regular classroom teacher of
the course in which the concepts of personal finance are incorporated.
15.1-21-22. Required reading of historical documents.
Before a student is deemed to have successfully completed either United States
government or problems of democracy, as required by section 15.1-21-02.1, the student's
school district shall ensure that the student has read the Declaration of Independence, the
United States Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
15.1-21-23. Readiness testing and formative assessments - Kindergarten students School calendar.
1. A school district may conduct readiness testing and formative assessments of
incoming kindergarten students. The dates on which the testing and assessments are
scheduled may be within the regular school calendar or before the regular school
calendar. The school district shall provide to the parents of each incoming kindergarten
student the date and time of the student's testing or assessment.
2. A district may consider up to two of the days set aside for readiness testing and
formative assessments to be kindergarten instructional days for purposes of section
15.1-06-04. However, the attendance of a kindergarten student on those days is
limited to the period of time during which the individual student's testing or assessment
is scheduled.
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15.1-21-24. Health curriculum - Content.
Beginning July 1, 2012, each school district and nonpublic school shall ensure that the
portion of its health curriculum which is related to sexual health includes instruction pertaining to
the risks associated with adolescent sexual activity and the social, psychological, and physical
health gains to be realized by abstaining from sexual activity before and outside of marriage.
15.1-21-25. High school graduation - Minimum requirements.
Redesignated as section 15.1-21-02.2.
15.1-21-26. Driver education curriculum - Content - Anatomical gift.
1. Beginning July 1, 2014, each school district shall ensure that its curriculum for driver
education includes information regarding the manner in which a student obtaining a
driver's license may make an anatomical gift, as provided for in section 23-06.6-04.
2. The school district shall provide notification of the curricular requirement set forth in
subsection 1 to the parent of each student enrolled in driver education. The notification
may be provided electronically or in written form.
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Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. North Dakota may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
