§ 15.1-21-02 — High schools - Required units (Effective through July 31, 2027)

1. To be approved by the superintendent of public instruction, each public and nonpublic
high school shall provide instruction in or make available to each student:
a. Four units of English language arts from a sequence that includes literature,
composition, and speech;
b. Four units of mathematics, including:
(1) One unit of algebra II; and
(2) One unit for which algebra II is a prerequisite;
c. Four units of science, including:
(1) One unit of physical science; and
(2) One unit of biology;
d. Four units of social studies, including:
(1) One unit of world history;
(2) One unit of United States history, including Native American tribal history;
and
(3) (a) One unit of problems of democracy; or
(b) One-half unit of United States government and one-half unit of
economics;
e. One-half unit of health;
f. One-half unit of physical education during each school year, provided that once
every four years the unit must be a concept-based fitness class that includes
instruction in the assessment, improvement, and maintenance of personal fitness;
g. Two units of fine arts, at least one of which must be music;
h. Two units of the same foreign or native American language;
i. One unit of an advanced placement course or one unit of a dual-credit course;
j. Two units of career and technical education from a coordinated plan of study
recommended by the department of career and technical education and approved
by the superintendent of public instruction; and
k. One unit of computer science or cybersecurity.
2. In addition to the requirements of subsection 1, each public and nonpublic high school
shall:
a. Make available to each student, at least once every two years, one-half unit of
North Dakota studies, with an emphasis on the geography, history, and
agriculture of this state; and
b. Develop a computer science and cybersecurity integration plan to ensure
introduction to computer science and cybersecurity knowledge. The board of a
public school or school district shall approve a plan by July 1, 2024.
3. Each unit which must be made available under this section must meet or exceed the
state content standards, unless a school district or governing board of a nonpublic high
school has adopted a mastery framework policy and awards units based on the
successful completion of the relevant portions of the North Dakota learning continuum.
A mastery framework policy adopted by a school district or governing board of a
nonpublic high school must identify the portions of the North Dakota learning
continuum which must be mastered for a student to attain units necessary for high
school graduation under section 15.1-21-02.2.
4. For purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise requires, "make available"
means that:
a. Each public high school and nonpublic high school shall allow students to select
units over the course of a high school career from a list that includes at least
those required by this section;
b. If a student selects a unit from the list required by this section, the public high
school or the nonpublic high school shall provide the unit to the student; and
c. The unit may be provided to the student through any delivery method not contrary
to state law and may include classroom or individual instruction and distance
learning options, including interactive video, computer instruction,
correspondence courses, and postsecondary enrollment under chapter 15.1-25.

5. The board of a school district may not impose any fees or charges upon a student for
the provision of or participation in units as provided in this section, other than the fees
permitted by section 15.1-09-36.
6. If in order to meet the minimum requirements of this section a school district includes
academic courses offered by a postsecondary institution under chapter 15.1-25, the
school district shall:
a. Pay all costs of the student's attendance, except those fees that are permissible
under section 15.1-09-36; and
b. Transport the student to and from the location at which the course is offered or
provide mileage reimbursement to the student if transportation is provided by the
student or the student's family.
7. The requirements of this section do not apply to alternative high schools or alternative
high school education programs.
8. The requirements of subdivisions g and h of subsection 1 do not apply to the North
Dakota youth correctional center.
High schools - Required units. (Effective after July 31, 2027)
1. To be approved by the superintendent of public instruction, each public and nonpublic
high school shall provide instruction in or make available to each student:
a. Four units of English language arts from a sequence that includes literature,
composition, and speech;
b. Four units of mathematics, including:
(1) One unit of algebra II; and
(2) One unit for which algebra II is a prerequisite;
c. Four units of science, including:
(1) One unit of physical science; and
(2) One unit of biology;
d. Four units of social studies, including:
(1) One unit of world history;
(2) One unit of United States history, including Native American tribal history;
and
(3) (a) One unit of problems of democracy; or
(b) One-half unit of United States government and one-half unit of
economics;
e. One-half unit of health;
f. One-half unit of physical education during each school year, including requiring
participation in the presidential physical fitness test, provided that once every four
years the unit must be a concept-based fitness class that includes instruction in
the assessment, improvement, and maintenance of personal fitness;
g. Two units of fine arts, at least one of which must be music;
h. Two units of the same foreign or native American language;
i. One unit of an advanced placement course or one unit of a dual-credit course;
j. Two units of career and technical education from a coordinated plan of study
recommended by the department of career and technical education and approved
by the superintendent of public instruction; and
k. One unit of computer science or cybersecurity.
2. In addition to the requirements of subsection 1, each public and nonpublic high school
shall:
a. Make available to each student, at least once every two years, one-half unit of
North Dakota studies, with an emphasis on the geography, history, and
agriculture of this state; and
b. Develop a computer science and cybersecurity integration plan to ensure
introduction to computer science and cybersecurity knowledge. The board of a
public school or school district shall approve a plan by July 1, 2024.
3. Each unit which must be made available under this section must meet or exceed the
state content standards, unless a school district or governing board of a nonpublic high
school has adopted a mastery framework policy and awards units based on the

successful completion of the relevant portions of the North Dakota learning continuum.
A mastery framework policy adopted by a school district or governing board of a
nonpublic high school must identify the portions of the North Dakota learning
continuum which must be mastered for a student to attain units necessary for high
school graduation under section 15.1-21-02.2.
4. For purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise requires, "make available"
means that:
a. Each public high school and nonpublic high school shall allow students to select
units over the course of a high school career from a list that includes at least
those required by this section;
b. If a student selects a unit from the list required by this section, the public high
school or the nonpublic high school shall provide the unit to the student; and
c. The unit may be provided to the student through any delivery method not contrary
to state law and may include classroom or individual instruction and distance
learning options, including interactive video, computer instruction,
correspondence courses, and postsecondary enrollment under chapter 15.1-25.
5. The board of a school district may not impose any fees or charges upon a student for
the provision of or participation in units as provided in this section, other than the fees
permitted by section 15.1-09-36.
6. If in order to meet the minimum requirements of this section a school district includes
academic courses offered by a postsecondary institution under chapter 15.1-25, the
school district shall:
a. Pay all costs of the student's attendance, except those fees that are permissible
under section 15.1-09-36; and
b. Transport the student to and from the location at which the course is offered or
provide mileage reimbursement to the student if transportation is provided by the
student or the student's family.
7. The requirements of this section do not apply to alternative high schools or alternative
high school education programs.
8. The requirements of subdivisions g and h of subsection 1 do not apply to the North
Dakota youth correctional center.
9. The superintendent of public instruction may establish criteria for and exceptions to the
presidential physical fitness test under subdivision f of subsection 1.