The Ed-Watch series is designed to increase access to information on decisions being made regarding public education in Clark County and Nevada.
Nevada State Board of Education
What is the State Board of Education & what are they responsible for? The Nevada State Board of Education adopts regulations based on Nevada laws, which are passed down to individual school districts in Nevada to implement. The Board has 11 total (7 appointed and 4 publicly elected) members.
How often does the State Board meet? The Nevada State Board of Education meets once per month on Thursdays at 9:00AM. Click here to see the 2020 Board Meeting Schedule. Click here to visit Hope For Nevada’s #NVEd Calendar.
Can community members engage at State Board Meetings? A time for public comment is provided at the beginning (for agenda items) and at the conclusion (on any matter) of each Board meeting. There is a time limit of three minutes per speaker. Members of the community providing testimony must fill out a visitor card, available on-site the day of the meeting.
Click here for a list of all State Board Members.
Thursday, December 10, 2020
Nevada State Board of Education Meeting
Click here to see the meeting agenda
What happened at this meeting?
Public Comment
Members of the public provided testimony regarding:
- Concerns about new criteria for substitute teachers.
- Concerns about the risks associated with in-person learning for educators.
President’s Report
President Wynn expressed gratitude to outgoing members of the State Board of Education, Dawn Miller, Robert Blakely, and Kevin Melcher. She also welcomed new and incoming members:
- Mike Walker, NV Association of School Boards Representative
- Tim Hughes, District 1
- Katie Coombs, District 2
- Rene Cantu, District 4
Beginning in 2021, President Wynn, who has served on the board since 2012, will no longer serve on the board. Vice President Newburn has been appointed by Governor Sisloack to transition to the role of Board President.
Click here to read about this from 8 News Now.
Superintendent’s Report
State Superintendent Ebert report highlights:
- Seven school districts and 21 SPCSA schools are fully engaged with a COVID-19 testing program. Additionally, all districts have received an allocation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
- The Commission on School Funding has shifted its focus from formula components to the definition of optimal funding. They are currently developing a document that outlines their work to date for further transparency with the public.
- The Department’s priorities for the upcoming legislative session are Equity, Alignment, and Recovery. The Department is currently reviewing bill drafts related to licensure and standards language clean-up, updated emergency plans for education, and other priorities that do not have a fiscal note.
Click here to see the full report.
Board Approved Consent Agenda
Consent agenda highlights:
- Revisions to Accounting and Finance Standards
- 2021-2022 Career and Technical Education Course Catalog
- Dual Credit Courses for the Sports Leadership and Management Academy of Nevada
- Work-Based Learning and Industry Recognized Credential Earner Report 2018-2020
- Washoe County School District Work-Based Learning Plan
Board Heard Testimony on State Improvement Plan
In accordance with NRS 385.040(2), which mandates that at least one State Board meeting include a discussion with school and education decision-makers to discuss goals and benchmarks, partners and stakeholders provided testimony to the board on the Department’s work as well as the State Improvement Plan. Each commenter shared their commitment to students and their appreciation for the Department’s support throughout the pandemic. Commenters also shared the need to continue to partner closely with the Department on accountability and mental health supports. Commenters included:
- Chancellor Melody Rose, Nevada System of Higher Education
- President Melena Raymond, Washoe County School District Board of Trustees
- Superintendent Kristen McNeil, Washoe County School District
- Trustee Jeff Church, Washoe County School District Board of Trustees
Board Heard Update on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Workgroup
At their November meeting, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Workgroup received presentations from the Department on self-reported demographic data of Department staff and competency-based education. Multiple school districts throughout Nevada are piloting these models to give students the opportunity to advance at their own pace. The DEI Workgroup will receive further updates on the implementation and efficacy of competency-based learning. Board members discussed their interest in further exploring competency-based education models.
Click here to view the DEI Workgroup Agenda.
Click here to view the presentation on Competency-Based Education.
Board Heard Update on 2019-2020 Graduation Rates
In response to COVID-19, the Department provided updated guidance on graduation requirements to districts and the charter authority related to attendance, assessment, and guidance waived the requirement for participation in civics assessment for the class of 2020. The Nevada graduation rate for 2020 is 82.57%, a two-point decrease from 2019 (84.11%). Students who identify as Asian had the highest average graduation rates at 93.4%. Students who identify as Black/African American had the lowest average graduation rate at 69.5%.
Board members discussed the increase in the number of students receiving the College and Career Ready Diploma and the need to ensure that all students have equitable access to the necessary courses in order to receive this diploma. They also discussed the need to validate that students who receive this diploma are indeed prepared for college and career.
Click here to view the full presentation.
Board and Stakeholders Engaged in Interactive Workshop
Representatives from Nevada Succeeds, The Regional Professional Development Program, and Department staff facilitated an interactive workshop with Board members and education stakeholders to engage as thought partners on the priorities and direction of the Department. Participants reviewed and discussed the Department’s definition of equity, what it means for students to be “globally prepared,” and reflections on developing and implementing a statewide graduate profile.
Click here to view the presentation.
Click here to view the discussion notes.
Board Heard Update on 2019-2020 ACT Scores
The ACT is used as Nevada’s college and career readiness assessment, assessing English Language Arts (ELA) and Math proficiency for high school students in grade 11. In Nevada, students are considered proficient if they receive a 17 or higher on the ACT. At most colleges and universities, students must receive a 22 or higher on the ACT to take non-remedial, credit-bearing college courses.
The average ACT score for all Nevada students in 2019-2020 is 17.8, a slight increase from 17.6 for the 2018-2019 school year. ACT scores varied widely across racial/ethnic subgroups groups with a difference of 5.9 points between the highest scoring and lowest scoring subgroups: Asain students (21.3) and Black students (15.4).
Additional data highlights:
- ELA Proficiency
- All students: 48.8%
- American Indian/Alaskan Native: 36.7%
- Asian: 69.7%
- Black 30.3%
- Hispanic: 37.4%
- Pacific Islander 45.2%
- 2+ Race: 58%
- White: 63.9%
- FRL: 37.1%
- IEP: 8.8%
- English Learners: 4.4%
- Math Proficiency
- All students: 25.8%
- American Indian/Alaskan Native: 17%
- Asian: 49.5%
- Black 10%
- Hispanic: 15.3%
- Pacific Islander 19.8%
- 2+ Race: 31.8%
- White: 38.8%
- FRL: 16.4%
- IEP: 3.1%
- English Learners: 1.9%
Click here to see the full presentation.
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