NRS 389.047. Department to establish pilot program to integrate science, technology, engineering and mathematics into instruction in literacy for certain grades; request for proposals; standards for approval of application; report; findings of program [Effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029.]

1. 1. To the extent that money is available, the Department shall establish a pilot program pursuant to which schools selected to participate in the pilot program integrate science, technology, engineering and mathematics into instruction in literacy in kindergarten and grades 1, 2 and 3.
2. 2. To carry out the pilot program, the Department shall issue a request for proposals from schools or groups of schools to apply for a grant of money to integrate science, technology, engineering and mathematics into instruction in literacy in kindergarten and grades 1, 2 and 3. In response to such a request for proposals, a school or group of schools may apply to the Department for such a grant.

3. 3. In determining whether to approve an application for a grant submitted pursuant to subsection 2, the Department shall consider:

   1. (a) The quality of the proposed curricula for a program that integrates texts related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics into instruction in literacy in kindergarten and grades 1, 2 and 3 that uses scientifically based reading research;
   2. (b) The proposed instructional strategies; and
   3. (c) The extent to which the approach to instruction is innovative.

4. 4. Not later than June 1 of the year following the implementation of the pilot program, a school or group of schools receiving a grant of money under the pilot program shall submit to the Department a report that summarizes:

   1. (a) The initial outcomes of the use of the grant received from the pilot program, including, without limitation, measurable progress of the foundational literacy skills of pupils;
   2. (b) Feedback from teachers and administrators at the school or group of schools who participated in the pilot program; and
   3. (c) Recommendations for the integration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics into instruction in literacy in kindergarten and grades 1, 2 and 3 throughout this State.

5. 5. The Department shall present the findings of the pilot program to the State Board, and the Department shall determine whether to:

   1. (a) Extend the pilot program for an additional year;
   2. (b) Expand the pilot program to additional schools; or
   3. (c) Discontinue the pilot program.

6. 6. As used in this section, “scientifically based reading research” means research that employs rigorous, systematic and objective:

   1. (a) Methods to gain knowledge from multiple disciplines to understand how children learn to read;
   2. (b) Strategies or methods to teach children to read; and
   3. (c) Approaches to overcome reading difficulties.

(Added to NRS by 2025, 3427, effective July 1, 2026)