Designed to improve student achievement in the English language arts by engaging students in literacy standards, this draft document presents content standards and benchmarks that will help prepare North Dakota students for new complexities of work and social life. The document begins with a preface, a list of basic assumptions, and definitions of terms. Mainly the document describes each of the six standards (including organizing information effectively, actively engaging in the reading process, comprehending literature, engaging in the writing process, and understanding and applying principles of language use), with lists of accompanying benchmarks at grades 4, 8, and 12. Examples of performance activities that support the standard and benchmarks are included in the document. The document then presents a summary of the standards and benchmarks; a list of North Dakota English Language Arts Committee members; a brief history of the project; a list of seven ways in which the document might be used; recommendations for other committees undertaking the writing of standards and benchmarks; and a list of graduation outcomes recommended by the Council on Performance Standards and Assessment. A 28-item selected list of works consulted are attached. (RS)