NC has approved new reading standards. See what students are expected to learn.
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- State Board approved K-12 language arts standards to expand science of reading.
- Teachers will train over two years; standards go into effect for the 2027–28 school year.
- DPI permits varied texts and pursues teacher training despite no state funding.
North Carolina has adopted new reading standards that will expand the use of the “science of reading” into middle schools and high schools in an effort to improve literacy skills for students.
The State Board of Education unanimously approved new K-12 language arts standards on Thursday that build on the phonics-based science of reading approach used in elementary schools. Teachers will be trained in the new standards before they take effect in the 2027-28 school year.
“It’s been lots of hard work over several years to get us to where we are with these standards, but we’re very excited about the effect that they’re going to have in our classrooms,” said state board member Jill Camnitz, chair of the student learning and achievement committee.
“The commitment of so many educators within DPI ( state Department of Public Instruction) and from across the state has resulted in a set of standards that is strong, coherent and aligned with the science of reading.”
In North Carolina, the state sets the standards that say what students need to know and be able to do in a subject. Schools then adopt the curriculum to use to teach those standards.
Expand on the science of reading
In 2021, state lawmakers passed legislation requiring elementary schools to use the science of reading. It’s an approach that’s been credited with raising reading performance in other states.
All of the state’s elementary school teachers completed the 160 hours of science of reading training in 2024.
DPI staff have said the new language arts standards make more explicit connections to the science of reading. Secondary school teachers will be expected to build on the foundational skills taught in elementary school.
There’s no state funding to train all middle school and high school teachers in the science of reading. But DPI has said it’s working on ways to provide training for teachers.
More options in reading choices
In addition, DPI says the new standards will give teachers more flexibility in the types of materials they can use. One of the principles in the new standards is providing a variety of texts.
Texts can include media such as audio and video as well as the traditional use of the printed word. Daniel said teachers will get the flexibility to use more contemporary types of literature that may not exclusively fall into a single genre.
There’s also more flexibility now for students to use different kinds of texts, such as spoken word and speeches, in class.
Post-Common Core standards
The new standards were approved with less acrimony than the prior adoptions.
In 2010, the state board approved new math and language arts standards based on Common Core standards.
Common Core standards were developed under the sponsorship of the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers as a way to better prepare students for college and jobs. But the standards drew complaints from conservatives who claimed they were part of an attempt by the federal government to take over education.
A commission created by state lawmakers recommended changing the standards.
In 2017, the state board voted 8-4 to approve the language arts standards that are currently used, The News & Observer previously reported. The 2017 standards were an attempt to move away from Common Core, but some board members said they wanted an outside review of the standards.
State standards are revised every seven to 10 years. DPI began work on developing the new standards in May 2024, presenting multiple drafts for state board and public comment.
