23.0970.01000
Sixty-eighth
Legislative Assembly HOUSE BILL NO. 1398
of North Dakota
Introduced by
Representatives Lefor, Bosch, Novak, O'Brien, Schreiber-Beck
Senators Rummel, Rust, Vedaa
1 A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 15.1-26 of the North Dakota
2 Century Code, relating to computer science and cybersecurity instruction for adult learners; to
3 amend and reenact sections 15.1-21-01, 15.1-21-02, and 15.1-21-02.2 of the North Dakota
4 Century Code, relating to mandatory computer science and cybersecurity instruction and
5 minimum requirements for high school graduation; and to provide an expiration date.
6 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
7 SECTION 1. AMENDMENT. Section 15.1-21-01 of the North Dakota Century Code is
8 amended and reenacted as follows:
9 15.1-21-01. Elementary and middle schools - Required instruction.
10 In order toTo be approved by the superintendent of public instruction, each public and
11 nonpublic elementary and middle school shall provide:
12 1. Provide to students instruction in:
13 1.a. English language arts, including reading, composition, creative writing, English
14 grammar, and spelling.
15 2.b. Mathematics.
16 3.c. Social studies, including:
17 a.(1) The United States Constitution;
18 b.(2) United States history;
19 c.(3) Geography;
20 d.(4) Government; and
21 e.(5) North Dakota studies, with an emphasis on geography, history, the federally
22 recognized Indian tribes in the state, and agriculture of this state, in the
23 fourth and eighth grades.
24 4.d. Science, including agriculture.
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1 5.e. Physical education.
2 6.f. Health, including physiology, hygiene, disease control, and the nature and effects
3 of alcohol, tobacco, and narcotics.
4 g. Computer science, including cybersecurity.
5 2. Develop a computer science and cybersecurity integration plan to ensure introduction
6 to foundational computer science and cybersecurity knowledge. The board of a public
7 school or school district shall approve a plan by July 1, 2024.
8 SECTION 2. AMENDMENT. Section 15.1-21-02 of the North Dakota Century Code is
9 amended and reenacted as follows:
10 15.1-21-02. High schools - Required units.
11 1. In order toTo be approved by the superintendent of public instruction, each public and
12 nonpublic high school shall provide instruction in or make available to each student:
13 a. Four units of English language arts from a sequence that includes literature,
14 composition, and speech;
15 b. Four units of mathematics, including:
16 (1) One unit of algebra II; and
17 (2) One unit for which algebra II is a prerequisite;
18 c. Four units of science, including:
19 (1) One unit of physical science; and
20 (2) One unit of biology;
21 d. Four units of social studies, including:
22 (1) One unit of world history;
23 (2) One unit of United States history, including Native American tribal history;
24 and
25 (3) (a) One unit of problems of democracy; or
26 (b) One-half unit of United States government and one-half unit of
27 economics;
28 e. One-half unit of health;
29 f. One-half unit of physical education during each school year, provided that once
30 every four years the unit must be a concept-based fitness class that includes
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1 instruction in the assessment, improvement, and maintenance of personal
2 fitness;
3 g. Two units of fine arts, at least one of which must be music;
4 h. Two units of the same foreign or native American language;
5 i. One unit of an advanced placement course or one unit of a dual-credit course;
6 and
7 j. Two units of career and technical education from a coordinated plan of study
8 recommended by the department of career and technical education and
9 approved by the superintendent of public instruction; and
10 k. One unit of computer science or cybersecurity.
11 2. In addition to the requirements of subsection 1, each public and nonpublic high school
12 shall make:
13 a. Make available to each student, at least once every two years, one-half unit of
14 North Dakota studies, with an emphasis on the geography, history, and
15 agriculture of this state; and
16 b. Develop a computer science and cybersecurity integration plan to ensure
17 introduction to computer science and cybersecurity knowledge. The board of a
18 public school or school district shall approve a plan by July 1, 2024.
19 3. Each unit which must be made available under this section must meet or exceed the
20 state content standards, unless a school district or governing board of a nonpublic
21 high school has adopted a mastery framework policy and awards units based on the
22 successful completion of the relevant portions of the North Dakota learning continuum.
23 A mastery framework policy adopted by a school district or governing board of a
24 nonpublic high school must identify the portions of the North Dakota learning
25 continuum which must be mastered for a student to attain units necessary for high
26 school graduation under section 15.1-21-02.2.
27 4. For purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise requires, "make available"
28 means that:
29 a. Each public high school and nonpublic high school shall allow students to select
30 units over the course of a high school career from a list that includes at least
31 those required by this section;
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1 b. If a student selects a unit from the list required by this section, the public high
2 school or the nonpublic high school shall provide the unit to the student; and
3 c. The unit may be provided to the student through any delivery method not
4 contrary to state law and may include classroom or individual instruction and
5 distance learning options, including interactive video, computer instruction,
6 correspondence courses, and postsecondary enrollment under chapter 15.1-25.
7 5. The board of a school district may not impose any fees or charges upon a student for
8 the provision of or participation in units as provided in this section, other than the fees
9 permitted by section 15.1-09-36.
10 6. If in order to meet the minimum requirements of this section a school district includes
11 academic courses offered by a postsecondary institution under chapter 15.1-25, the
12 school district shall:
13 a. Pay all costs of the student's attendance, except those fees that are permissible
14 under section 15.1-09-36; and
15 b. Transport the student to and from the location at which the course is offered or
16 provide mileage reimbursement to the student if transportation is provided by the
17 student or the student's family.
18 7. The requirements of this section do not apply to alternative high schools or alternative
19 high school education programs.
20 8. The requirements of subdivisions g and h of subsection 1 do not apply to the North
21 Dakota youth correctional center.
22 SECTION 3. AMENDMENT. Section 15.1-21-02.2 of the North Dakota Century Code is
23 amended and reenacted as follows:
24 15.1-21-02.2. High school graduation - Minimum requirements. (Effective through
25 July 31, 2025)
26 1. Except as provided in section 15.1-21-02.3 and subsection 2, the following twenty-two
27 units of high school coursework constitute the minimum requirement for high school
28 graduation:
29 a. Four units of English language arts from a sequence that includes literature,
30 composition, and speech;
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1 b. Three units of mathematics, which may include one unit of computer science
2 approved by the superintendent of public instruction;
3 c. Three units of science, consisting of:
4 (1) (a) One unit of biology;
5 (b) One unit of chemistry; and
6 (c) One unit of physics; or
7 (2) (a) One unit of biology;
8 (b) One unit of physical science; and
9 (c) One unit or two one-half units of any other science which may include
10 one unit of computer science or cybersecurity approved by the
11 superintendent of public instruction;
12 d. Three units of social studies, including:
13 (1) One unit of United States history;
14 (2) (a) One-half unit of United States government and one-half unit of
15 economics; or
16 (b) One unit of problems of democracy; and
17 (3) One unit or two one-half units of any other social studies, which may include
18 civics, civilization, geography and history, multicultural studies, North Dakota
19 studies, psychology, sociology, and world history;
20 e. (1) One unit of physical education; or
21 (2) One-half unit of physical education and one-half unit of health;
22 f. Three units of:
23 (1) Foreign languages;
24 (2) Native American languages;
25 (3) Fine arts; or
26 (4) Career and technical education courses; and
27 g. Any five additional units.
28 2. If approved by the board of a school district or nonpublic school, a school district or
29 nonpublic school may develop eligibility criteria or programmatic requirements to allow
30 a passing score on the relevant portions of the GED assessment to receive credit for
31 the corresponding requirements of subdivisions a through d of subsection 1.
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1 High school graduation - Minimum requirements. (Effective after July 31, 2025)
2 1. Except as provided in section 15.1-21-02.3 and subsection 2, the following twenty-two
3 units of high school coursework constitute the minimum requirement for high school
4 graduation:
5 a. Four units of English language arts from a sequence that includes literature,
6 composition, and speech;
7 b. Three units of mathematics, which may include one unit of computer science
8 approved by the superintendent of public instruction;
9 c. Three units of science, consisting of:
10 (1) (a) One unit of biology;
11 (b) One unit of chemistry; and
12 (c) One unit of physics; or
13 (2) (a) One unit of biology;
14 (b) One unit of physical science; and
15 (c) One unit or two one-half units of any other science which may include
16 one unit of computer science or cybersecurity approved by the
17 superintendent of public instruction;
18 d. Three units of social studies, including:
19 (1) One unit of United States history, including Native American tribal history;
20 (2) (a) One-half unit of United States government and one-half unit of
21 economics; or
22 (b) One unit of problems of democracy; and
23 (3) One unit or two one-half units of any other social studies, which may include
24 civics, civilization, geography and history, multicultural studies, North Dakota
25 studies, psychology, sociology, and world history;
26 e. (1) One unit of physical education; or
27 (2) One-half unit of physical education and one-half unit of health;
28 f. Three units of:
29 (1) Foreign languages;
30 (2) Native American languages;
31 (3) Fine arts; or
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1 (4) Career and technical education courses; and
2 g. Any five additional units; and
3 h. One unit of computer science or cybersecurity whether under subdivision b, c, or
4 both.
5 2. If approved by the board of a school district or nonpublic school, a school district or
6 nonpublic school may develop eligibility criteria or programmatic requirements to allow
7 a passing score on the relevant portions of the GED assessment to receive credit for
8 the corresponding requirements of subdivisions a through d of subsection 1.
9 SECTION 4. A new section to chapter 15.1-26 of the North Dakota Century Code is created
10 and enacted as follows:
11 Authority - Adult learning - Computer operations and cybersecurity instruction.
12 The superintendent of public instruction shall provide grants to school districts, nonpublic
13 schools, area career and technology centers, job service North Dakota workforce centers,
14 public libraries, and adult education centers to offer computer operations and cybersecurity
15 courses for adults, for the biennium beginning July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2025. School
16 districts, nonpublic schools, public libraries, area career and technology centers, job service
17 North Dakota workforce centers, and adult education centers shall use all or part of the grant
18 money to pay a stipend to a teacher of the course. The superintendent of public instruction shall
19 adopt rules to implement the grant program.
20 SECTION 5. EXPIRATION DATE. Section 4 of this Act is effective through June 30, 2025,
21 and after that date is ineffective.
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Statutes affected: INTRODUCED: 15.1-21-01, 15.1-21-02, 15.1-21-02.2
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 15.1-21-01, 15.1-21-02, 15.1-21-02.2
Enrollment: 15.1-21-01, 15.1-21-02, 15.1-21-02.2