Education (K-12 Education)

failed · North Dakota · Senate Feb 24, 2025

SB 2355: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 15.1-21 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to intelligent design in science content standards for elementary and secondary students.

SB 2355 would require North Dakota's public school science standards to include "intelligent design" as a "viable scientific theory" for all K-12 students by August 2027. The bill mandates the state superintendent to add it to curriculum standards, provide teachers with instructional materials supporting this view, and offer required training. The measure failed to pass in February 2025, receiving 22 votes in favor and 25 against. It directly affects science education content and teacher preparation in North Dakota public schools.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationMandates inclusion of non-scientific 'intelligent design' in science curriculum, restricting academic freedom and undermining established science education standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Teachers

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passed both · North Dakota · Senate Apr 16, 2025

SB 2234: A BILL for an Act to provide a statement of legislative intent regarding choice ready grants to school districts.

SB 2234 appropriates $2 million from North Dakota's general fund for competitive grants to school districts to help high school students meet the state's "choice ready" framework. The bill requires school districts to apply with specific plans showing how grant funds will develop students' skills for postsecondary education, careers, or military service - directly affecting school districts and their high school students. Funds cannot cover general supplies or equipment but must support targeted experiences like career training or college preparation. The grants are intended for the 2025-2027 biennium and align with the state's goal of ensuring all students graduate prepared for life after high school.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $2M from state general fund for targeted school grants, directly increasing public education funding per bill's summary.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $2M in state funds for competitive grants to develop high school students' skills for postsecondary/careers, directly advancing educational programs and funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Higher Education K-12 Education

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passed · North Dakota · House Apr 11, 2025

HB 1527: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 15.1-21 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to required Holocaust education.

HB 1527 would require all North Dakota public school districts to include Holocaust education in their U.S. history curriculum. The bill mandates that this education cover specific topics like the causes of the Holocaust, history of antisemitism, resistance efforts, U.S. involvement, and connections between intolerance and historical events. School districts must implement grade-appropriate lessons meeting these requirements, and the state superintendent must submit an annual report to the governor and legislature on compliance. This bill directly affects K-12 schools and students across North Dakota, aiming to ensure consistent educational content about the Holocaust. The bill failed to pass in April 2025, with 22 votes in favor and 24 against.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates Holocaust education curriculum in U.S. history, enhancing educational standards and content requirements for K-12 schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

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passed · North Dakota · House Feb 25, 2025

HB 1604: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new chapter to title 15.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the funding of kindergarten through grade twelve school construction; to provide an appropriation; and to provide an expiration date.

HB 1604 creates a new state program to fund K-12 school construction in North Dakota, directly affecting school districts seeking state assistance for new buildings. To qualify, districts must meet specific criteria, including demonstrating renovation costs exceed 60% of new construction costs, having a failed referendum for construction/renovation within a set timeframe, and securing their share of funding. The bill establishes tiered state funding rates (from 5% to 95% of costs) based on a district’s property tax valuation ("mill value"), with a $600 million appropriation allocated for the 2025-2027 biennium. It also requires districts to use state-appointed architectural firms meeting strict in-state criteria and mandates plans for long-term building maintenance. The program expires on July 1, 2035.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state appropriation for K-12 school construction funding, directly advancing public education budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates new state funding program for K-12 school construction infrastructure, directly advancing school facility improvements through tiered state funding rates.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax K-12 Education School Funding

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signed · North Dakota · House Mar 31, 2025

HB 1200: AN ACT to amend and reenact section 15.1-21-02.2 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the waiver and substitution of one unit required for high school graduation under emergent circumstances.

HB 1200 amends North Dakota's high school graduation requirements to require one unit of computer science or cybersecurity (subdivision h) for all students, effective after July 31, 2025. It allows schools to grant credit for up to one unit of coursework under "emergent circumstances" (e.g., natural disasters disrupting normal education) by substituting alternative courses like dual-credit or electives. This applies to students in North Dakota public and nonpublic high schools who demonstrate such emergencies. The bill also updates existing GED credit provisions but focuses primarily on creating flexibility for emergency disruptions to graduation requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates computer science/cybersecurity as graduation requirement, expanding curriculum standards and educational access for all high school students.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates cybersecurity education for high school graduation, directly enhancing cybersecurity skills and aligning with topic's focus on cybersecurity.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Cybersecurity

failed · North Dakota · House Feb 17, 2025

HB 1333: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 15.1-19 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the duration of a student's school lunch break.

HB 1333 proposes requiring North Dakota public school districts to provide students with at least 30 minutes for lunch daily between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. It also allows high school students to be excused from the class immediately following lunch if they obtain a counselor’s written verification and provide it to their teacher once per semester. The bill directly affects all North Dakota public school districts and their students, particularly high schoolers seeking flexibility in their schedules. If enacted, it would establish a concrete, mandatory lunch break duration standard across the state’s public schools. (Note: The bill failed to pass in February 2025.)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates 30-min lunch breaks and scheduling flexibility, enhancing student well-being and school operations in K-12 education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health Teachers

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passed · North Dakota · House Feb 25, 2025

HB 1129: A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation to the department of public instruction to address student attendance and absenteeism.

HB 1129 appropriates $1.25 million for a study on student attendance and absenteeism in North Dakota public schools (K-12) during the 2025-2027 biennium. The bill requires the superintendent of public instruction, with input from a research team, to analyze existing data, identify strategies used in high-attendance districts, and develop recommendations to address chronic absenteeism. It mandates a legislative report with findings and proposed legislation by September 1, 2026. The bill failed to pass on February 25, 2025, with 2 votes in favor and 88 against.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $1.25M for school attendance study, directly allocating state budget funds to address public education needs, aligning with fiscal support for essential services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds $1.25M study on K-12 absenteeism to identify solutions and improve attendance outcomes, directly addressing a core education challenge.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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signed · North Dakota · House Mar 19, 2025

HB 1178: AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 15.1-07 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to school districts allowing students to leave campus to vote in elections.

HB 1178 requires North Dakota school districts to create policies allowing students who are qualified voters (18+ and registered) to leave campus during school hours to vote in elections. The policy must include conditions like time limits for absence or designated voting periods. This law directly affects high school students eligible to vote, enabling them to participate in elections without missing class. The bill became effective after being signed by the Governor on March 14, 2025. It establishes a concrete requirement for school districts to facilitate student voting access.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables student voting access during school hours, removing barriers to civic participation for eligible voters, directly expanding educational access as defined in the topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education