Nevada
U.S.
Rank
Score:
75%
Grade:
C
Rank:
#22
Incredible demand and excellent charters have pushed the number of charter schools to double in two years, and charter students now make up 11% of the population. Still, challenges abound, with encroaching regulations from the state spurred on by the competition charters are creating for districts. It’s a state worth watching.
Law passed: 1997
Most recently amended: 2019
Number of charter schools: 69
Number of charter students: 53,223
Cap on the number of schools allowed:? No
Virtual charters allowed? Yes
AUTHORIZERS: Local districts and universities, with the State Public Charter School Authority serving as a statewide authorizer. The state heavily regulates authorizing activities, and authorizers and the state department of education have added unnecessary oversight burdens on schools.
GROWTH:The state does not cap charter schools, but there has been extremely limited growth given the authorizer’s constraining behavior in recent years. Additional constraints will result from a 2019 law which directs the State Public Charter School Authority to establish a plan to manage the growth of charter schools in the state, which in effect will create. The plan must be reviewed at least biennially and revised as necessary.
OPERATIONS: Charter schools do not have a blanket waiver from regulations that apply to district schools; they may request exemption from specific rules and regulations from the local school board. Charters must clear many operational decisions with authorizers and the law requires that they hire certified teachers, but are exempt from collective bargaining.
EQUITY: A charter school is entitled to receive a proportionate share of money available to districts from federal, state, or local sources. Authorizers may deduct up to 2 percent for administrative fees, but charters meeting certain requirements can request to lower it to 1 percent. Authorizers can also request reimbursements from charters for administrative costs. Nevada’s law does provide for per-pupil facilities funding. The law provides for funding from a legislative appropriation, but this has yet to occur since the legislature adopted the state’s charter school law.
Score:
Grade:
D
Rank:
#16
The just over 1,000 families who can draw on tax credit scholarship dollars for private schooling is a drop in the proverbial bucket, but expansion is on the horizon.
Law enacted: 2015
Number of programs: 1
Statewide Participation: 2,306
Types of programs: Tax Credit Scholarship
Tax-Credit Scholarship
Educational Choice Scholarship Program
Nevada’s tax- credit scholarship program was enacted in 2015, and allows corporations to claim a 100 percent tax credit when they donate to approved Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs), originally up to $11 million in credits. The SGOs award scholarships to students who meet the income requirements of 300% at or below the federal poverty level. The scholarship cap per-student is $8,469.
The new mining tax bill of 2021 expanded funding with an additional $4.745 million in tax credits in the upcoming fiscal year and will allow new students to enter the program, creating broader participation from families across the state. That bill, although extensive in nature and only modestly involving education, will reverse some of the tragic restrictions imposed in 2019, which for that year, decreased student participation by 50%.
Score:
Grade:
C
Rank:
#9
Has implemented a performance pay program; Requires objective measures of student growth to contribute to teacher evaluation scores, using district-level performance measures.
TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT: 69%
General Teacher Preparation 72%
Elementary Teacher Preparation 75%
Secondary Teacher Preparation 73%
Special Education Teacher Preparation 55%
Alternate Routes 70%
STAFFING AND SUPPORT: 81%
Hiring 80%
Retaining Effective Teachers 81%
TEACHER EVALUATION: 74%
TEACHER COMPENSATION: 78%
Score:
75%
Grade:
C
Rank:
#22
Incredible demand and excellent charters have pushed the number of charter schools to double in two years, and charter students now make up 11% of the population. Still, challenges abound, with encroaching regulations from the state spurred on by the competition charters are creating for districts. It’s a state worth watching.
Law passed: 1997
Most recently amended: 2019
Number of charter schools: 69
Number of charter students: 53,223
Cap on the number of schools allowed:? No
Virtual charters allowed? Yes
AUTHORIZERS: Local districts and universities, with the State Public Charter School Authority serving as a statewide authorizer. The state heavily regulates authorizing activities, and authorizers and the state department of education have added unnecessary oversight burdens on schools.
GROWTH:The state does not cap charter schools, but there has been extremely limited growth given the authorizer’s constraining behavior in recent years. Additional constraints will result from a 2019 law which directs the State Public Charter School Authority to establish a plan to manage the growth of charter schools in the state, which in effect will create. The plan must be reviewed at least biennially and revised as necessary.
OPERATIONS: Charter schools do not have a blanket waiver from regulations that apply to district schools; they may request exemption from specific rules and regulations from the local school board. Charters must clear many operational decisions with authorizers and the law requires that they hire certified teachers, but are exempt from collective bargaining.
EQUITY: A charter school is entitled to receive a proportionate share of money available to districts from federal, state, or local sources. Authorizers may deduct up to 2 percent for administrative fees, but charters meeting certain requirements can request to lower it to 1 percent. Authorizers can also request reimbursements from charters for administrative costs. Nevada’s law does provide for per-pupil facilities funding. The law provides for funding from a legislative appropriation, but this has yet to occur since the legislature adopted the state’s charter school law.
Score:
Grade:
D
Rank:
#16
The just over 1,000 families who can draw on tax credit scholarship dollars for private schooling is a drop in the proverbial bucket, but expansion is on the horizon.
Law enacted: 2015
Number of programs: 1
Statewide Participation: 2,306
Types of programs: Tax Credit Scholarship
Tax-Credit Scholarship
Educational Choice Scholarship Program
Nevada’s tax- credit scholarship program was enacted in 2015, and allows corporations to claim a 100 percent tax credit when they donate to approved Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs), originally up to $11 million in credits. The SGOs award scholarships to students who meet the income requirements of 300% at or below the federal poverty level. The scholarship cap per-student is $8,469.
The new mining tax bill of 2021 expanded funding with an additional $4.745 million in tax credits in the upcoming fiscal year and will allow new students to enter the program, creating broader participation from families across the state. That bill, although extensive in nature and only modestly involving education, will reverse some of the tragic restrictions imposed in 2019, which for that year, decreased student participation by 50%.
Score:
Grade:
C
Rank:
#9
Has implemented a performance pay program; Requires objective measures of student growth to contribute to teacher evaluation scores, using district-level performance measures.
TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT: 69%
General Teacher Preparation 72%
Elementary Teacher Preparation 75%
Secondary Teacher Preparation 73%
Special Education Teacher Preparation 55%
Alternate Routes 70%
STAFFING AND SUPPORT: 81%
Hiring 80%
Retaining Effective Teachers 81%
TEACHER EVALUATION: 74%
TEACHER COMPENSATION: 78%
Score:
Grade:
B
Rank:
#9
Nevada approved 15 school districts and 16 charter schools to have distance education programs. All online courses must comply with the Nevada Academic Content Standards.
Nevada Ready 21 is a statewide initiative that’s increasing equity and expanding digital learning opportunities by providing every middle and high school student a mobile device, the first phase focusing on middle schools. Additionally, “the program will deliver comprehensive professional development training and support for teachers and administrators as well as improving broadband internet access in schools throughout the state.”
Like in many other states, the pandemic exposed digital learning challenges Nevada was facing, including access to technology, internet connectivity, professional learning exposure, and digital learning resources. As a result, the Nevada Department of Education launched the Nevada Digital Learning Collaborative, a statewide repository for students, educators, and families to access high-quality digital learning tools.
Another statewide initiative launched in the wake of COVID from a partnership between Nevada’s DOE and Vegas PBS is OnePlaceNevada, “a digital portal housing hundreds of thousands of instructional media resources aligned with Nevada Academic Content Standards.”
The Nevada Learning Academy in the Clark County School District has been a role model for online and digital learning for the rest of the state. NVLA was founded in 2013, is tuition free, and gives secondary students an alternative pathway to graduation. There are currently 293 full time students enrolled, and 9,420 part time students.
On a district level, the Clark County School District (one of the largest in the nation), has been expanding digital learning through their Mobile Device Initiatives. The Mobile Device Initiatives include: Title 1 One-to-One Mobile Learning e3: Engage, Empower, Explore Project, which provided 9 schools with mobile devices for every student;The Bring-Your-Own Device (BYOD) policy, which now allows students to use their own devices during instructional time; the WI-FI Partner initiative, which provides families with a high-tech interactive map that displays free WiFi hotspots; and the Microsoft Student Advantage program, which “provides students with the most current version of the Microsoft Office Suite for download on up to 5 devices using the following operating systems: Windows, iOS and Android.”
Bandwidth: 100% of students in Nevada can access the Internet at speeds of 100 kbps per student, and many students are connected at higher speeds.
In 2017 the Competency Based Education Network Pilot was established, allowing schools to explore new models of instruction and move away from the traditional one size fits all school system. Participating schools utilize mastery- based grading systems.
The state also encourages Personalized Learning Plans & Portfolios to prepare students for college and career readiness.
Governor Steve Sisolak announced school closures on March 15th, which were extended through the rest of the school year on April 21st.
The state required districts to submit plans for continued learning, but were allowed to include non-digital components. Leaders there did not take steps to ensure all students had access to devices and the internet, nor did they provide much guidance to teachers and schools in developing plans. Some information has been posted on the state education department website.
The reopening plan for the 2020-21 school year was somewhat of an improvement, though, after thorough guidelines were developed by a task force and distributed to all school leaders and the public.
Districts were encouraged to develop the best plans for their student populations and have more freedom to innovate as they do so.
Fast Facts
4th Grade Math Proficiency:
8th Grade Math Proficiency:
12th Grade Math Proficiency:
4th Grade Reading Proficiency:
8th Grade Reading Proficiency:
12th Grade Reading Proficiency:
Graduation Rate:
Average SAT Score:
Average ACT Score:
Public School Enrollment:
Percent Enrolled in Charter Schools:
Average Student Funding:
Score:
Grade:
B
Rank:
#9
Nevada approved 15 school districts and 16 charter schools to have distance education programs. All online courses must comply with the Nevada Academic Content Standards.
Nevada Ready 21 is a statewide initiative that’s increasing equity and expanding digital learning opportunities by providing every middle and high school student a mobile device, the first phase focusing on middle schools. Additionally, “the program will deliver comprehensive professional development training and support for teachers and administrators as well as improving broadband internet access in schools throughout the state.”
Like in many other states, the pandemic exposed digital learning challenges Nevada was facing, including access to technology, internet connectivity, professional learning exposure, and digital learning resources. As a result, the Nevada Department of Education launched the Nevada Digital Learning Collaborative, a statewide repository for students, educators, and families to access high-quality digital learning tools.
Another statewide initiative launched in the wake of COVID from a partnership between Nevada’s DOE and Vegas PBS is OnePlaceNevada, “a digital portal housing hundreds of thousands of instructional media resources aligned with Nevada Academic Content Standards.”
The Nevada Learning Academy in the Clark County School District has been a role model for online and digital learning for the rest of the state. NVLA was founded in 2013, is tuition free, and gives secondary students an alternative pathway to graduation. There are currently 293 full time students enrolled, and 9,420 part time students.
On a district level, the Clark County School District (one of the largest in the nation), has been expanding digital learning through their Mobile Device Initiatives. The Mobile Device Initiatives include: Title 1 One-to-One Mobile Learning e3: Engage, Empower, Explore Project, which provided 9 schools with mobile devices for every student;The Bring-Your-Own Device (BYOD) policy, which now allows students to use their own devices during instructional time; the WI-FI Partner initiative, which provides families with a high-tech interactive map that displays free WiFi hotspots; and the Microsoft Student Advantage program, which “provides students with the most current version of the Microsoft Office Suite for download on up to 5 devices using the following operating systems: Windows, iOS and Android.”
Bandwidth: 100% of students in Nevada can access the Internet at speeds of 100 kbps per student, and many students are connected at higher speeds.
In 2017 the Competency Based Education Network Pilot was established, allowing schools to explore new models of instruction and move away from the traditional one size fits all school system. Participating schools utilize mastery- based grading systems.
The state also encourages Personalized Learning Plans & Portfolios to prepare students for college and career readiness.
Governor Steve Sisolak announced school closures on March 15th, which were extended through the rest of the school year on April 21st.
The state required districts to submit plans for continued learning, but were allowed to include non-digital components. Leaders there did not take steps to ensure all students had access to devices and the internet, nor did they provide much guidance to teachers and schools in developing plans. Some information has been posted on the state education department website.
The reopening plan for the 2020-21 school year was somewhat of an improvement, though, after thorough guidelines were developed by a task force and distributed to all school leaders and the public.
Districts were encouraged to develop the best plans for their student populations and have more freedom to innovate as they do so.
4th Grade Math Proficiency:
8th Grade Math Proficiency:
12th Grade Math Proficiency:
4th Grade Reading Proficiency:
8th Grade Reading Proficiency:
12th Grade Reading Proficiency:
Graduation Rate:
Average SAT Score:
Average ACT Score:
Public School Enrollment:
Percent Enrolled in Charter Schools:
Average Student Funding:
Joe Lombardo (R)
First term began in 2023 (two-term limit)
In an incredibly close race Sheriff Joe Lombardo upset incumbent Governor Sisolak who was no fan of parent power. The new Governor promised to become the next “education governor” on the campaign trail, saying he “will also pursue my top priorities of expanding school choice and improving school security.” It remains to be seen what change he can affect with a state legislature controlled by Democrats.
The state legislature also favors systems over families. It has enacted laws that limit the growth of charter schools, minimize families eligibility for participation in education choice programs and continues to perpetuate unstable bi-annual funding streams. Both chambers unfortunately tend to vote with the unions, at the expense of their children.
Nevada has a Blaine Amendment that has not been found to prohibit expanded educational options, though the Court has ruled on how such programs are funded. “In a 2016 decision, the Nevada Supreme Court held that “providing aid to Nevada families through an ESA program did not constitute the use of state funds for a sectarian purpose and did not violate the Blaine Amendment” (Institute for Justice)and the education article’s common school requirement “did not prohibit the state from encouraging other forms of education.”
School report cards are very easy to find on Nevada’s DOE homepage under the Data subheading. Report cards are user-friendly and provide parents useful data on school environment and culture including chronic absenteeism rates, average class size, student-to-teacher ratio, credit deficiency, and student mobility. Data on student achievement, personnel, safety, and funding are also accessible from reports.
Educational options are highlighted on the main page by clicking the Families tab, where parents can find information on charter schools and the NV Choice Scholarship program, which increase accountability and transparency.
School board elections are during the general election cycle, which gives parents more power in their decision making because of higher voter turnout.
Joe Lombardo (R)
First term began in 2023 (two-term limit)
In an incredibly close race Sheriff Joe Lombardo upset incumbent Governor Sisolak who was no fan of parent power. The new Governor promised to become the next “education governor” on the campaign trail, saying he “will also pursue my top priorities of expanding school choice and improving school security.” It remains to be seen what change he can affect with a state legislature controlled by Democrats.
The state legislature also favors systems over families. It has enacted laws that limit the growth of charter schools, minimize families eligibility for participation in education choice programs and continues to perpetuate unstable bi-annual funding streams. Both chambers unfortunately tend to vote with the unions, at the expense of their children.
Nevada has a Blaine Amendment that has not been found to prohibit expanded educational options, though the Court has ruled on how such programs are funded. “In a 2016 decision, the Nevada Supreme Court held that “providing aid to Nevada families through an ESA program did not constitute the use of state funds for a sectarian purpose and did not violate the Blaine Amendment” (Institute for Justice)and the education article’s common school requirement “did not prohibit the state from encouraging other forms of education.”
School report cards are very easy to find on Nevada’s DOE homepage under the Data subheading. Report cards are user-friendly and provide parents useful data on school environment and culture including chronic absenteeism rates, average class size, student-to-teacher ratio, credit deficiency, and student mobility. Data on student achievement, personnel, safety, and funding are also accessible from reports.
Educational options are highlighted on the main page by clicking the Families tab, where parents can find information on charter schools and the NV Choice Scholarship program, which increase accountability and transparency.
School board elections are during the general election cycle, which gives parents more power in their decision making because of higher voter turnout.