S387 - Excellent Public Schools Act of 2021. (SL 2021-8)

Overview: S.L. 2021-8 makes various changes to the North Carolina Read to Achieve Program, including the following:

• Creates a definition of the "Science of Reading."
• Establishes the Early Literacy Program within the Department of Public Instruction (DPI).
• Requires certain early literacy educators to participate in a training program grounded in the Science of Reading.
• Requires for Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) seeking approval or renewal on or after July 1, 2022, to include coursework grounded in the Science of Reading.
• Requires the literacy curriculum and instruction provided by local school administrative units (LEAs) to be aligned with standards developed by the State Board of Education (SBE) and a model implementation plan developed by DPI as soon as possible, but at least beginning with the 2024-2025 school year.
• Creates a definition of "literacy interventions."
• Modifies the definition of "reading camp," which must be offered to certain 2nd and 3rd grade students.
• Requires the SBE and DPI to develop literacy intervention standards by December 15, 2021.
• For the 2022-2023 school year, requires that LEAs develop literacy intervention plans that outline the interventions that will be offered. Beginning with plans developed for the 2023-2024 school year, requires that plans be approved by DPI.
• Establishes Individual Reading Plans (IRPs), beginning with the 2022-2023 school year.
• Creates two bonus programs for teachers providing instruction during a reading camp, beginning with reading camps associated with the 2021-2022 school year.
• Provides for continuing education credits related to literacy for certain reading camp instructors.
• Establishes a Digital Children's Reading Initiative.
• Requires SBE to analyze alternative assessments and recommend one for use.
• Beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, creates a uniform reporting structure for Read to Achieve data.

This act became effective April 9, 2021.