HB 1129 — A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation to the department of public instruction to address student attendance and absenteeism.

25.0433.0100025.0433.02000 Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly of North Dakota FIRST ENGROSSMENT ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL NO.

1129 of North Dakota Introduced by Representatives Richter, Mitskog, Murphy, O'Brien, Schauer Senators Boschee, Meyer, Sickler A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation to the department of public instruction forto aaddress study of student attendance and absenteeism;absenteeism.

to provide for a superintendent of public instruction study;

and to provide for a legislative management report.

APPROPRIATION - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION - STUDENT ATTENDANCE AND ABSENTEEISM STUDY - ONE-TIME FUNDING.

There is appropriated out of any moneys in the general fund in the state treasury, not otherwise appropriated, the sum of $1,250,000,$1,000,000, or so much of the sum as may be necessary, to the department of public instruction for the purpose of studyingaddressing student attendance and absenteeism in kindergarten through grade twelve public schools, for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027.

Up to $250,000 may be used for the purpose of contracting a research team from a North Dakota research university to assist with the study.

The funding provided in this section is considered a one-time funding item.

SECTION 2.

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION STUDY - STUDENT ATTENDANCE AND ABSENTEEISM - REPORT TO LEGISLATIVE MANAGEMENT.

1.

In the first year of the 2025-27 biennium, the superintendent of public instruction, in collaboration and consultation with a research team from a North Dakota research university, shall study student attendance and absenteeism, including chronic absenteeism in kindergarten through grade twelve public schools.

The research team shall use existing quantitative data shared with the university by the department of public instruction and collect additional qualitative and quantitative data as needed.

The study must include analysis of data from school districts with high attendance rates to identify any strategies that result in high attendance rates.

1 25.0433.0100025.0433.02000 Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly 2.

In the second year of the 2025-27 biennium, the superintendent of public instruction shall identify school districts with chronic absenteeism and implement appropriate strategies to improve student attendance.

3.

The superintendent of public instruction shall report its findings and recommendations, together with any legislation required to implement the recommendations, to the legislative management on or before September 1, 2026.

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