North Carolina
State Information
The purpose of this document is to capture state-by-state information of policy and guidelines related to the science of reading / evidence-based reading instruction to be presented on The Reading League Compass, a website of reliable and reputable guidance and resources for targeted stakeholder groups.
Local control?
Yes
Has your state passed legislation and/or non-legislated rule changes related to the science of reading?
Yes
Main Components:
- Early Literacy Program & Literacy Professional Development (LETRS for all Pk-5 educators)
- Literacy Training Coursework for EPP Approval Align Literacy -Curriculum and Instruction aligned with legislation
- Literacy Interventions and Individual Reading Plans
- Reading Camp, Bonuses, Funding
- Digital Children’s Literacy Initiative
- Alternative Assessments
- Data Collection
Does your state have an approved curriculum list?
No. However, districts are required to submit Literacy Intervention Plans (LIP) that include core curriculum. The LIP must align to SoR to receive state funding.
Please describe any other instructional-materials work related to the science of reading with links, where applicable
In an effort to support educators in selecting high quality instructional materials, the North Carolina Science of Reading Alignment Tool provides guidance regarding the alignment of curricula to the body of research referred to as the science of reading. This is not a recommended list, but rather an informative guidance document that determines the level of alignment with evidence-based literacy practices. The alignment tool guidelines provide stakeholders with the information needed to determine if the materials provided in their PSU are in alignment with reading science research. In the event that materials are not aligned, this tool can inform stakeholders of the areas in the curriculum that need to be supplemented to achieve optimal alignment.
Does your state mandate or provide guidance on early screening?
Yes
Please describe any other assessment work related to the science of reading.
Renaissance STAR Reading serves as an alternative pathway for third-grade students as a good cause exemption reading proficiency measure. The alternative assessment does not replace the state-required assessments and is optional for districts to purchase. Alternative Assessment Guidance. All data is reported to the state.
Does your state have policy or guidance related to MTSS that incorporates information on the science of reading and/or evidence-based literacy practices?
Yes.
Our literacy intervention plans and individual reading plans are based on the work of our IABS (Integrated Academic and Behavior Systems)/MTSS office.
As part of our systems coaching supporting districts and schools, our support model roles are integrated with six critical components as identified by NC MTSS.
Does your state have policy or guidance related to instruction and/or professional development
Yes. HB196 named Voyager Sopris (LETRS) as the professional development to be used for all PreK – 5th grade teachers in NC and provided the funding for this implementation.
The Excellent Public Schools Act of 2021 further supports this by clarifying the expectations for the professional learning for PreK- 5th grade teachers.
Does your state have state-developed guidance documents or training courses related to the science of reading?
Yes
Please describe any grant work that names the science of reading and/or evidence-aligned instruction including links, where applicable
Has your state reviewed standards for alignment to the science of reading?
The English Language Arts Standards Writing Team (SWT) convened on July 15-16, 2024 to begin revision of the current ELA NCSCOS. Four grade-band teams (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12) reviewed the Data Review Committee (DRC) recommendations as well as research and other state standards to guide the revision of the current standards. The SWT’s work aims to release Draft 1 to the field for comment by early September, 2024.
Please describe any other standards work related to the science of reading with links, where.
The Office of Academic Standards developed Literacy Instruction Standards (LIS) that serve as a framework for the development and alignment of curriculum and instruction for all public schools. These standards are defined as a level of quality and equity to be used consistently within core literacy instruction statewide. While the NC Standard Course of Study (NCSCOS) sets student expectations, the LIS and their associated instructional practices set expectations for teaching literacy. The LIS are organized by grade-band and can be used to ensure that all teachers across North Carolina have a common understanding and delivery of literacy instruction.
While the LIS have been developed by grade bands, they should be used in tandem with appropriate grade-level texts of increasing complexity in order for students to fully meet the demands of the NCSCOS. This LIS framework does not indicate an exhaustive list of literacy instruction practices and may not fully capture all instructional practices that have the potential to positively impact students’ literacy achievement in K-12. New literacy research could modify and/or add to the instructional practices listed.
Does your state have guidance or resources for families related to the science of reading?
Yes
In order to provide continuing support for North Carolina’s youngest readers, The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Office of Early Learning has developed and released “Literacy at Home.” This digital resource provides literacy activities at each grade level, pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. Families and communities may access this resource for activities that specifically target the literacy skills of phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and oral language. When children grow in each of these foundational areas they are well on their way to becoming proficient readers.
Do you have policy or guidance regarding how to leverage evidence-based practices to support secondary students?
Discussions are in progress for the next legislative session.
In the meantime we lean into Reading Research to Classroom Practice (RRtCP) offered by the Office of Exceptional Children.
Does your state have state-developed guidance documents or training courses related to the science of reading and Multilingual learners?
NC funded LETRS professional development for all elementary Multilingual and Exceptional Children Resource teachers during the initial state contract. Recurring state allocated funds may be used for turnover and sustainability.
Connections between Science of Reading and Multilingual Learner (ML) Initiatives
Does your state have licensure or program approval criteria to ensure Educator Preparation Programs are aligned to the science of reading?
This is included in the Excellent Public Schools Act Part IV.
Do you have a “contact us” website that we can share publicly on TRL Compass?
Please describe and link to any other work you would like to share that relates to the science of reading
NC has developed numerous resources to support the sustainability of legislation. Each district has an assigned Early Literacy Specialist that is part of the Office of Early Learning. The focus of this role is a systems coaching support model as we support implementation from state to student. The positions are fully funded state employees.
NC’s implementation has a unique approach aligned to an overall literacy systems framework. The goal is to collectively develop K-5 literacy knowledge related to effective, aligned systematic and systemic processes, while increasing the overall capacity of the organization through a continuous improvement model. We have developed a literacy effectiveness systems check to support the priorities and progress of essential components within the overall literacy framework. This tool is designed to support the various needs and priorities of districts across the state as we identify statewide trends for ongoing development of resources and professional development.
Interactive State Map
Use the interactive state map to find descriptions of state-level policy adoption, guidance, and practices related to the science of reading. State policy may include legislation incorporating training or practices related to the science of reading or state education agency guidance regarding policy, professional development, curricula, instruction, or assessment.
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The Reading League expresses gratitude to our collaborators and associates within the state education agencies for sharing their state-specific data. This data will undergo semi-annual updates, contingent upon the availability and resources of the respective state agencies. For any inquiries, clarifications, or updates, please reach out to compass@thereadingleague.org.