North Dakota 2025 2025-2026 Regular Session

North Dakota Senate Bill SB2362 Engrossed / Bill

Filed 02/17/2025

                    25.1049.02000
Sixty-ninth
Legislative Assembly
of North Dakota
Introduced by
Senators Schaible, Lemm, Weber
Representatives Jonas, Pyle
A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 15.1-02-11 of the North Dakota Century Code, 
relating to the accreditation of schools.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
SECTION 1. AMENDMENT. Section 15.1-02-11 of the North Dakota Century Code is 
amended and reenacted as follows:
15.1-02-11. Superintendent of public instruction - Accreditation of schools - Rules.
1.The superintendent of public instruction may:
a.May adopt rules governing the accreditation of public and nonpublic schools. Any 
rule adopted under this section must incorporate measures of student 
achievement and bear a direct relationship to improving student achievement.
b.May provide schools with a choice of accreditation options, including:
(1)Accreditation through a state-defined accreditation process established by 
the superintendent of public instruction; or
(2)Accreditation through a nationally recognized accrediting organization, a 
formal school improvement organization, or a continuous improvement 
organization approved by the superintendent of public instruction.
c.May establish a process to select the accreditation options for schools and a 
process for schools to select an accreditation option. Development of the process 
may include input and participation from a steering committee, including 
representatives of education stakeholder groups,  	school administrators 	,  
secondary and elementary school principals 	, and  school  board members. 
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ENGROSSED SENATE BILL NO. 2362
FIRST ENGROSSMENT
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21 Sixty-ninth
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d.Periodically shall review and evaluate the effectiveness of each accreditation 
option in improving student achievement and school performance.
2.Each accreditation option must:
a.Meet or exceed the state standards to ensure consistency in the quality of 
education.
b.Provide measurable outcomes for student achievement, aligning with the state 
goals.
3.A school may select the accreditation option best aligning to the instructional goals 
and operational needs of the school, subject to approval by the superintendent of 
public instruction.
4.The superintendent of public instruction shall contract with an accreditation 
organization or vendor to create state-provided accreditation to offer to each public 
school district at no charge.
5.If a district chooses to use an accreditation process from the state-approved list, the 
district is responsible for any accreditation-related costs.
Page No. 2	25.1049.02000
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