G.S. 115C-83.1 — Read to Achieve

Plain English summary

This statute sets North Carolina's overall reading goal: every student should be reading at or above grade level by the end of third grade, and should keep improving so they can handle challenging texts in high school and beyond. It is the foundational mission statement for the Read to Achieve program. It does not by itself create specific mandates or procedures, but it establishes the standard against which all Read to Achieve policies are measured.

Key requirements

• The State goal is to ensure every student reads at or above grade level by the end of third grade (G.S. 115C-83.1)
• Students must continue to progress in reading proficiency beyond third grade so they can read, comprehend, integrate, and apply complex texts needed for secondary education and career success (G.S. 115C-83.1)

Affected parties

• All K-3 students in North Carolina public schools (beneficiaries)
• North Carolina State government and DPI (compliance obligation to pursue this goal)
• Local education agencies and schools (expected to align programs to this state goal)

Advocacy note

Although this section reads like a preamble, it legally anchors every downstream Read to Achieve mandate — advocates and IEP teams can cite G.S. 115C-83.1 to argue that any school practice undermining a student's path to grade-level reading by end of third grade is inconsistent with the express State goal.

Official source

https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_115C/GS_115C-83.1.pdf