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

(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;

(b) The proposed instructional strategies; and

(c) The extent to which the approach to instruction is innovative.

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:

(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;

(b) Feedback from teachers and administrators at the school or group of schools who participated in the pilot program; and

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

(a) Extend the pilot program for an additional year;

(b) Expand the pilot program to additional schools; or

(c) Discontinue the pilot program.

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

(a) Methods to gain knowledge from multiple disciplines to understand how children learn to read;

(b) Strategies or methods to teach children to read; and

(c) Approaches to overcome reading difficulties.