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NC DPI »   Districts & Schools »   Classroom Resources »   Academic Standards »   Literacy Instruction Standards

Literacy Instruction Standards

About the Literacy Instruction Standards

On October 7, 2021, the North Carolina State Board of Education approved the Literacy Instruction Standards (LIS) as outlined in Section V of SB 387: Excellent Public Schools Act of 2021. The LIS 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.

View the LIS and their associated instructional practices below.

Pre-K

Grades K-2

Grades 3-5

Grades 6-8

Grades 9-12

Modifying Local Curriculum and Instruction

Districts are required to complete a form regarding the measures taken by each LEA to implement the requirements regarding the Literacy Instruction Standards (LIS) and literacy implementation plan pursuant to SB387. The law states, " Each local school administrative unit shall evaluate its literacy curriculum and instruction methods and shall modify as necessary to adhere to the standards developed by the State Board and align with the model literacy implementation plan provided by the Department. No later than December 15, 2022, and in a form prescribed by the State Board, each local school administrative unit shall submit to the State Board a concise explanation of its literacy curriculum and instruction, as aligned with the standards and model literacy implementation plan."

NCDPI's review of these forms will be completed no later than November 15, 2023. According to SB387, modifications shall be implemented into curriculum and instruction as soon as possible, and all modified curriculum and instruction shall be in place beginning with the 2024-2025 school year. 

Timeline

December 15, 2022 PSUs review and modify curriculum and instruction; PSUs submit form
November 15, 2023 NCDPI completes review of forms
2024-2025 SY All modified PSU curriculum and instruction in place

 

Submit a PSU Form

The form is now open and will close December 15, 2022. Use the template, model, and non-model below to assist you.  To submit your form, be sure to work with the appropriate person/people in your PSU to gather the requested information and designate one person from your district or charter school to submit the form.  For your convenience, a PDF is available.

Template

Model

Non-Model

LIS Resources

View the resources in the LIS Toolkit (LIST). Please check back often for updates.

Academic Standards

  • Programs and Initiatives
  • Standard Course of Study
  • Literacy Instruction Standards

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North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
301 N. Wilmington Street
Raleigh, NC 27601-2825
 
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Raleigh, NC 27699-6301 

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https://www.dpi.nc.gov/districts-schools/classroom-resources/academic-standards/literacy-instruction-standards