Tag: nevada education

What Kids Deserve with Billions of Federal Dollars for Nevada Education

Posted on by Opportunity 180
Opportunity 180 is committed to a community North Star where every kid in Nevada is able to graduate from high school, college and career ready, with the tools to determine their own future. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the challenges facing Nevada’s students, especially those with the least access to quality schools. However, the recently passed American Rescue Plan will deliver nearly 1.5 billion dollars in one-time funds to support our students and schools. This is a crucial moment for Nevada to reshape its education landscape, make sustainable policy improvements, and set ourselves on a path for educational excellence. That is why Opportunity 180, along with more than a dozen leading education organizations, published a letter detailing several high-impact areas to guide the use of federal dollars across public education in Nevada. Opportunity 180 is also committed to transparent and accessible data that drive further discussion, policy, and action to improve outcomes for kids. To that end, we believe it is necessary to have clear and detailed outcomes for the impact of these federal funds. We will look to track and report on the following metrics to ensure we are effectively moving the needle when it comes to improving education opportunities for our community’s kids.
Flexible Implementation
  • Annual school and school district budgets are balanced prior to the allocation of federal dollars and posted for public review.  
  • District-wide activities allow for a site-based implementation based on community needs and student data. 
Equity-Focused Academic Supports to Close Learning Gaps 
  • Students who are the furthest behind as of the end of SY20-21 will grow a minimum of 1.5 years per year; all of the other students will grow at least 1 year, per year SY21-22 and SY22-23
  • % of students who take advantage of summer school and out-of-school time learning opportunities. 
  • Student achievement differences between students classified as “at-risk” and those classified as not at risk decrease by at least 25%.
Caring for the Whole Child
  • Increase in % of students who have access to on-demand mental health services.
  • Increase in % of school building staff trained in recognizing and supporting students who may be grieving or have experienced trauma. 
  • Decrease in # of student suicides and students who report thinking of suicide.
Safe and Secure In-person Learning Environments
  • % of students who identify they feel safe in their learning environment. 
  • % of staff who share they feel safe in their work environment. 
  • % increase of teachers retained in SYs 21-23. 
Support for Remote Learning
  • The total number of families who request access to remote instruction have access to the tools and resources necessary to successfully participate in learning. 
  • % of educators who share they have been provided meaningful, rigorous, practicable professional learning on the successful delivery of remote instruction. 
Family and Community Communication and Connection
  • % of families who indicate they feel clear on their students’ educational opportunities (remote and in-person).
This one-time infusion of funds is an incredible opportunity to make lasting change for Nevada’s students and we are eager to continue to engage in meaningful dialogue with our local and state leaders to help shape the impact. This is a community-wide challenge and deserves community-centered solutions– which start with being clear and consistent about what is working and what is not. In partnership with our colleagues, we will push for transparency throughout the process through regular reporting, accurate data, and trackable results, all of which should be made readily available to Nevada families. Separately, Opportunity 180 will also monitor and publish available results against the metrics listed above. 

Education and our kids’ future is a community priority so be sure to check out our regularly published Nevada Ed-Watch series designed to increase access to information about what decisions are being made regarding public education in Nevada. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on all things Nevada education and help us navigate this new normal together.

Nevada Ed Watch 6/6/19

Posted on by Opportunity 180

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 2019 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, June 6, 2019
Nevada State Board of Education Meeting

Click here to see the meeting agenda

What happened at this meeting?

Superintendent’s Report

Superintendent Ebert introduced the Board to two new members of the Superintendent’s cabinet:  

  • Felicia Gonzales: Deputy Superintendent of Teacher Effectiveness and Parent Engagement
  • Heidi Haartz: Deputy Superintendent for Business and Support Services

Board Heard Legislative Updates

Superintendent Ebert provided updates on the following legislation that the Department of Education is following:

  • AB289 – Read by Grade 3 provision updates to provide additional supports into 5th grade retention prevention [Status: Delivered to the Governor]
  • SB313 – Increased focus on computer literacy and computer science [Status: Delivered to the Governor]
  • SB314 – Related to promoting financial literacy via statewide financial literacy counsel and financial literacy seal for student diplomas [Status: Signed by the Governor]
  • AB235 – Related to implementation of mentorship programs [Status: Delivered to the Governor]
  • SB204 – Enhances suicide prevention programs [Status: Signed by the Governor]
  • SB89 – Related to SafeVoice program and describes school improvement plans created by school principals [Status: Delivered to the Governor]
  • AB219 – Relates to reporting information for English Language Learner achievement [Status: Delivered to the Governor]
  • SB467 – Extends Zoom and Victory program funds [Status: Delivered to the Governor]
  • AB78 – Transfers all schools approved by the Achievement School District to the State Public Charter School Authority (SPCSA) and provides for the State Board of Education to appoint two members to the SPCSA Board. [Status: Signed by the Governor]

Funding Bills:

  • SB545 – Marijuana Excise Tax funding specifically designated to distributive school account (DSA) [Status: Delivered to the Governor]
  • SB555 – Increases statewide per pupil funding by approximately 10% [Status: Signed by the Governor]
  • SB 84  – State Pre-K programs & funding [Status: Delivered to the Governor]
  • SB551 – Makes appropriations for certain purposes relating to school safety and to provide supplemental support of the operation of the county school districts [Status: Submitted to the Governor]
  • AB309 – Authorizes counties to implement sales tax for schools. [Status: Delivered to the Governor]
  • SB543 – Revises how the state funds school districts [Status: Delivered to the Governor]

Board Approved the Consent Agenda

Click here to see the full consent agenda.

Board Heard a Presentation on the Great Teaching and Leading Fund Recommendations

The Board heard a presentation on the Review Team’s recommendations for Great Teaching and Leading Fund FY20-FY21 grants– pending the legislative allocation of available funds.

Click here to see the full presentation.

Board Approved Cohort Twenty of the Teach Nevada Scholarship Program (TNVS)

The Board heard about the Teach Nevada Scholarship program, including the success of the program, reconciliation for fiscal years 2016-2019, funding, and requests for FY20 scholarships. The Board approved no more than 200 Teach Nevada scholarships.

Board Heard a Presentation About the State of Education in Nevada

Data Insight Partners led a presentation about the state of education in Nevada– which included a review of student reading and math assessment results, national education rankings, and long-term education attainment. The Board discussed a need to counter negative stigmas about education in Nevada with strategic public relations and communications.

NOTE: The July State Board of Education meeting was rescheduled to July 17th.

Public Comment:

Members of the public requested the Board clarify the definition of students who are considered “At-Risk” in the weighted funding formula.

Potential Future Agenda Items:

  • Presentation on year-over-year funding (and SB555)
  • Ongoing updates to the implementation of the funding formula
  • Presentation on Census 2020 and its impact on education and funding
  • Discussion of bills related to chronic absenteeism and marketing
  • Accountability of low-performing schools following the abolishment of the Nevada Achievement School District (NV ASD).

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Nevada Ed-Watch 10/18/18

Posted on by Opportunity 180

The Ed-Watch series is designed to increase access to information on what decisions are being made regarding public education in Clark County and Nevada.

 

Clark County School District Board of Trustees 

What is the Board of Trustees & what are they responsible for? The CCSD Trustees are publicly elected decision-makers for the school district. They are responsible for providing oversight to the Superintendent and establishing District-wide policy. Trustees are accountable to work with their communities to improve student achievement.

Click here to learn more and see a list of current Trustees

Click here to Find your Trustee District

How often does the Board of Trustees meet? Trustees meet twice per month (second and fourth Thursdays) at 5pm at the Edward A. Greer Education Center (Board Room): 2832 E. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89121.

Click here for a full list of Trustees meetings and agendas

Click here to visit Hope For Nevada’s #NVEd Calendar

Can community members engage at Trustee Meetings? Decision-making bodies benefit greatly from hearing public input and multiple perspectives. Community members can sign up to speak after the agenda has been posted– by calling the Board Office at (702) 799-1072 at least 3 hours before the scheduled meeting, or signing up in-person at the beginning of the meeting. Prior to each agenda item being voted on, speakers can share their perspective after the Board’s discussion and prior to the vote.

Thursday, October 18, 2018
Clark County School District Board of Trustees Meeting

Click here to see the meeting agenda 

What happened at this meeting?

Board of Trustees violation of open meeting law

Trustees acknowledged a Findings of Fact & Conclusion of Law document created by the Attorney General after his office received several complaints. The document outlines findings that constitute a violation of Nevada Open Meeting Law.  

Click here to see the findings document

Click here to read about this in the Las Vegas Review-Journal

Naming of 3 school facilities

Trustees approved the following names for 3 school facilities (click on names to see the full bios of each community leader):

Approval of 2 collectively bargained agreements

Trustees agreed to sign 2 collectively bargained agreements– with the Education Support Employees Association (ESEA) and the Clark County Association of School Administrators and Professional-Technical Employees (CCASA).  

A collectively bargained agreement is a written legal contract between an employer or a public body (i.e. Board of Trustees) and organized labor (i.e. teacher and administrator unions). The agreement is a result of an extensive negotiation process between the two parties regarding employee wages, hours, and conditions of employment.

Public Comment – Members of the public commented that they were looking for a more permanent salary agreement.

Superintendent reports on Listening and Learning Tours

Upon transitioning as Superintendent of the Clark County School District, Dr. Jara established a 90-day entry plan, which kicked off with a listening phase to hear about the needs of students and the community through a series of “Listening and Learning Tours.”

Dr. Jara held a total of 125 meetings across 107 schools and departments (across all Trustee Districts) with around 4,600 stakeholders (60% of which were parents and members of the community). Other stakeholders he met with included students, elected officials, media, and CCSD employees.

Dr. Jara presented the following key takeaways from these meetings, including:

  1. All means ALL. Every student deserves access to a rich and rigorous education and a quality teacher.
  2. Improve teaching and learning conditions
  3. Build public trust
  4. Safety and security of our schools

Click here to see Superintendent Jara’s full presentation

Employee agreement approved – General Council

Trustees approved an employment agreement for Eleissa Lavelle, who will take on the role as General Council (effective November 2018).

Click here to see the agreement

(note: section 8 of the agreement was removed before the agreement was approved. That section was regarding a 2.5% annual pay increase).

Accountability for CCSD’s low-performing charter schools

Trustees approved performance accountability actions for the following “Rising Star” CCSD Charter Schools:

  • Delta Academy Middle and High School
  • 100 Academy of Excellence Elementary and Middle School
  • Rainbow Dreams Academy Elementary and Middle School

All Delta Academy and 100 Academy of Excellence schools have been approved for reconstitution, which can include receivership (new leadership).

Rainbow Dreams Academy schools have been approved to partner with CCSD to create a remediation plan to improve school performance. 

Trustees stated their support for these recommendations and a commitment to ensuring high standards are kept and met for all students in all schools.  

Public Comment – Members of the community shared their perspectives about the work happening at these schools that they felt wasn’t captured in the decision making process.

Click here to see the accountability actions document

Click here to read about this in the Las Vegas Review-Journal

Click here to read about this in the Nevada Independent

Potential Future Items:

  • Information about CCSD’s pool of substitute teachers.
  • Review and summary of current cultural competency training for CCSD employes.
  • Information on potential policy banning cell phones from all schools.

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Nevada Ed-Watch 10/11/18

Posted on by Opportunity 180

The Ed-Watch series is designed to increase access to information on what decisions are being made regarding public education in Clark County and Nevada.

Included below are recaps from both the State Board of Education and the Clark County School District Board of Trustees meetings on 10/11/18.

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 in turn 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 2018 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.

Thurs, October 11, 2018
Nevada State Board of Education Meeting

Click here to see the meeting agenda 

What happened at this meeting?

Fingerprinting & Background Checks for School Volunteers & Visitors

“Regular volunteers” who are either unsupervised or come in contact with students are required complete fingerprinting and a background check. State Board Members have adopted a regulation that now defines a “regular volunteer” as someone who volunteers at least four times in one month, or once per week for four or more consecutive weeks.

There are exceptions for students in higher education who are at the school as part of a class, and for those who have already been background checked through another public entity.

Click here to see the full background check regulations doc.

Art Courses

The Board approved new regulations for student performance standards in art courses like dance, music, and visual arts. The standards shift from mastering skills in the specific art to higher level tasks, such as relating art to personal life experiences.

Click here to see the full art course regulations doc.

Alternate Diploma Criteria

The Board approved a new diploma type. This diploma aligns to standards for all students, but is differentiated for the learning needs of students who have significant cognitive disabilities. The Alternative Diploma replaces the former certificate of attendance.  

Click here for details and alternative diploma requirements.

Nevada Educator Performance Framework (NEPF)

The Board approved simple language updates to the Nevada Educator Performance Framework.

Click here to see the updated NEPF language.

Science Cut Scores

New cut scores were approved for the Nevada Alternative Assessment in Science. Cut scores are ranges of points earned on a test that are used to determine whether a student is on grade level in the subject area.

The approved cut score are as follows:  

Nevada Achievement School District (NV ASD) Updates

An update was provided on charter schools authorized (or “sponsored”) by the NV ASD. Part of the presentation included an overview of the fastest improving Rising Star schools (schools that are struggling to meet expectations for student achievement and school performance). See data snapshot below.

Click here to see the full definition of a Rising Star school.

Parent Petitions (a process for parents to advocate for changes at their school to improve student outcomes) are due by November 15th, and will be reported to the State Board by November 30th.

Click here to see the full Achievement School District presentation.

Class Sizes

The Board approved a quarterly report on variances for class-sizes. This report includes information on elementary schools that received variances, meaning they were not able to meet the required teacher-to-student ratio (due to funding limitations, difficulty hiring teachers, facility limitations, or other justification).

Click here to see the quarterly class size variance report.

What’s Next? Potential Future Items (Nevada Department of Education):

  • Developing a feedback process to capture input from school districts on the Nevada School Performance Framework (the rating system the state uses to assess school performance annually). The feedback process will help the state make strategic decisions about adjustments that need to be made to the performance framework.
  • Discussion about teacher absenteeism.

Clark County School District Board of Trustees 

What is the Board of Trustees & what are they responsible for? The CCSD Trustees are publicly elected decision-makers for the school district. They are responsible for providing oversight to the Superintendent and establishing District-wide policy. Trustees are accountable to work with their communities to improve student achievement.

Click here to learn more and see a list of current Trustees.

Click here to Find your Trustee District.

How often does the Board of Trustees meet? Trustees meet twice per month (second and fourth Thursdays) at 5pm at the Edward A. Greer Education Center (Board Room): 2832 E. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89121.

Click here for a full list of Trustees meetings and agendas.

Click here to visit Hope For Nevada’s #NVEd Calendar.

Can community members engage at Trustee Meetings? Decision-making bodies benefit greatly from hearing public input and multiple perspectives. Community members can sign up to speak after the agenda has been posted– by calling the Board Office at (702) 799-1072 at least 3 hours before the scheduled meeting, or signing up in-person at the beginning of the meeting. Prior to each agenda item being voted on, speakers can share their perspective after the Board’s discussion and prior to the vote.

Thurs, October 11, 2018
Clark County School District Board of Trustees Meeting

Click here to see the meeting agenda 

What happened at this meeting?

Field Trip: Discovery Children’s Museum

The district secured a field trip partnership with Discovery Children’s Museum for 21,000 third graders in Title 1 schools.

Resolution to support Fund Our Future Nevada

The parent group HOPE for Nevada and Education Nevada Now led a presentation about the purpose of Fund Our Future Nevada, a statewide coalition that is advocating to change the way Nevada funds public education for all students. The board passed a resolution to join the Fund Our Future Nevada coalition.

Click here to see the resolution

Click here to learn more about Fund Our Future Nevada

Performance Evaluation and Compensation Plan for Executive Cabinet

Trustees did not to take action on a resolution that outlines performance evaluations and compensation plans for the Superintendent’s executive cabinet. The proposed plan would only go into effect after all employee bargaining units have settled agreements and the full budget of the district has been realized.

Annual Report of Charter School Performance

A resolution was passed to accept the Annual Report of Charter School Performance on the charter schools that CCSD authorizes. Trustees discussed the importance of accountability across all CCSD schools, whether charter or traditional zoned neighborhood school.

Trustees also discussed options for moving forward regarding underperforming CCSD Charter schools. CCSD can do the following:

1) Terminate the schools’ charters

2) Put the schools in receivership

3) Reauthorize the schools under the state

4) Require the schools to develop remediation plans.

A recommendation on the final decision will be brought to the Trustees by the Superintendent at the October 18th Trustees meeting. 

Click here to read about this in the Nevada Independent.

Potential Future Items (CCSD Board of Trustees):

  • Presentation on the development of sex-ed curriculum
  • Follow up report on a pilot energy saving program
  • Review of utilization of school facility policy by community partners
  • Review challenges with guest teachers, including shortage of guest teachers and pay
  • Discuss custodian vacancies
  • Review information regarding the bus driver shortage
  • Policy regarding changing a school’s name
  • Review impact of charter schools on nearby traditional neighborhood district schools
  • Assess the costs of Communities in Schools

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What are you looking forward to the most this school year?

Posted on by Opportunity 180

Teacher leaders in our partner Fellowship programs are gearing up for the new school year and planning ways to apply their newly developed skills in their classrooms. Below, we capture some of their reflections.

 

Q: What are you looking forward to the most this school year?

Anthony Mooney, Lead Nevada Fellow: This year I am looking forward to watching a new school, Nevada Prep, come to life. I am also looking forward to helping new teachers develop into effective educators and delivering effective instruction that raises student achievement.

Kenny Belknap, Teach Plus Fellow: This should be a busy year between teaching a new class and working on my Teach Plus work. I’m excited to share the knowledge I gain with my students.

Jordana McCudden, Teach Plus Fellow: As a consulting teacher, I’ll have the opportunity to work side by side with brand new teachers, helping them navigate the complexities of teaching.

Stevie Johnson, Lead Nevada Fellow: I am most looking forward to  starting at a new school, Nevada Rise. I am excited about working with new staff, students and curriculum as grade chair lead.

Jen Loescher, Teach Plus Fellow: This school year is bursting with exciting opportunities for learning– about Nevada education policy, how to improve my craft of teaching, and building new relationships with my new role at RPDP.

Richard Wiley, Teach Plus Fellow: I look forward to making a significant, positive impact on the lives of each of my students. It will require leveraging every available resource and maximizing human capital to its fullest extent to improve our high schools.

Mary Ardoin: Lead Nevada Fellow: This year I am most looking forward to helping our new teachers create and implement a vision of excellence for themselves and students.

Jeanine Zelik, Teach Plus Fellow: Every year I look forward to creating relationships with students. I am fortunate to watch my former students continue their educational journey and help them achieve their goals as they look at their future post-graduation.

Justin Brecht, Building Excellent Schools Fellow & Founder of Nevada Rise:  I look forward to the vision of Nevada Rise becoming a reality. Most importantly, I look forward to delivering on the promise we have made to each individual family as we begin the our journey on the path to college.

Mary Enwemaya, Lead Nevada Fellow: I’m looking forward to better understanding how to align the new state (MAP) testing to advance student learning and adjust to their needs and desires.

Q: How will your Fellowship program help you achieve your objectives and make a bigger impact?

Anthony Mooney, Lead Nevada Fellow: Lead Nevada Academy has given me the knowledge, skills and abilities to be successful through participation in rigorous coaching and role play activities that have driven me to develop and hone specific skills.

Kenny Belknap, Teach Plus Fellow: The Teach Plus Fellowship is providing me with the tools I need to help elevate my voice and learn the several different paths available to make change or influence policy makers.

Jordana McCudden, Teach Plus Fellow: At Teach Plus, I have gained an understanding of the “how” and “why” behind education policy. Celine Coggins, founder of Teach Plus, says if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu. I am now ready to sit at the table with stakeholders in affecting the change I feel will directly impact student achievement and teacher retention.

Stevie Johnson, Lead Nevada Fellow: Since my school will be new and we will have a small staff, there are many opportunities to take on leadership roles. Lead Nevada Academy will help provide me with the framework and skills to develop me as a leader.

Jen Loescher, Teach Plus Fellow: Teach Plus has provided a concrete platform to learn about education policy and how to advocate and get my voice to the table.  My confidence has grown, helping me choose to step outside my comfort zones and grow my network.

Richard Wiley, Teach Plus Fellow: The Teach Plus Fellowship keeps me apprised about what other schools in Nevada are doing to continually improve, and provides a vehicle for professional collaboration opportunities with high quality educators in other districts.

Mary Ardoin, Lead Nevada Fellow: Lead Nevada Academy is already a part of my achievement, as I realized during our summer work that the best way to prepare teachers for success is to first help them envision what a high achieving classroom will look like. Then, provide them the tools that will help them accomplish their goals.

Jeanine Zelik, Teach Plus Fellow: This fellowship allows me to dive deeper into the issues happening within education in Nevada, not only Clark County. It also allows me to help better educate and explain the status of particular issues without bias, just a deeper understanding of what is going on.

Justin Brecht, Building Excellent Schools Fellow & Founder of Nevada Rise: The BES Fellowship helps keep my focus on the principles of our mission, and the details that will help drive toward meeting the mission. Our partnership with BES ensures we implement precise practice and feedback on many levels and provides a strong network of support.

Mary Enwemaya, Lead Nevada Fellow: Lead Nevada Academy will allow me to look through dual lenses, as a classroom instructor and administrator. On the micro level, I can engage with data in my classroom by looking at individual students and focus their glows and growths. On a macro level, as an administrator, I hope to gain an overview of trends from K-2 and understand the shifts that occur in instruction, data, etc.

 

Wishing each of our program Fellows, and ALL Nevada educators, a strong start to a new school year!