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.
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 Wednesdays at 9:00 AM or 2:00 PM. Click here to see the 2024 meeting materials.
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. Members of the public may provide public comment in writing via email; public comment will be accepted via email for the duration of the meeting and shared with the State Board of Education during the public comment periods. Public comment may be emailed to NVBoardED@doe.nv.gov.
Click here for a list of all State Board Members.
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Nevada State Board of Education Meeting
Click here to see the regular SBOE meeting agenda.
Click here to watch the meeting playback.
What happened at the regular meeting?
President’s Report
Highlights included:
- Board Member Updates:
- Member Hudson attended a White House event for education and family engagement.
- Member Hughes gave an update on the Commission on Innovation and Excellence; they have a final report they will be reviewing on 12/10, and an early version should be available for the Legislature.
- Member Walker provided an update on the upcoming Nevada Association of School Boards conference, happening this week.
- Member Cantu attended the first Nevada Nonprofit Legislative Caucus meeting.
Superintendent’s Report
Highlights included:
- Graduation rates statewide have increased from 81.4% to 81.6%. Nine school districts increased their graduation rates year-over-year.
- A student from Eldorado High School earned the grand prize for the Nevada Reading Week art contest.
- The Department of Education has updated the Nevada Educator Performance Framework.
- The Read by Grade 3 Task Force met in November, where work groups shared information collected to gain clarification and feedback. The next meeting is scheduled for December 18.
Board Approved Consent Agenda
Consent agenda items included:
- Approval of Private School License Renewals
- Approval of Work-Based Learning Biennial Report
Review the consent agenda.
Board Held a Public Hearing on Proposed Regulation R094-24 Pertaining to NAC 389.680, NAC 394.025, and NAC 394.200
The Board conducted a public hearing to solicit comments on changes to the Nevada Administrative Code updating the accreditation agency from AdvancEd to Cognia, as the organization has changed its name. Following the public hearing, the Board approved the change.
Review the packet.
Board Heard from Superintendents and Board Members on How They Are Improving Student Achievement
The Nevada Association of School Superintendents presented an overview of the per-pupil funding comparison, including the legislatively approved Nevada per-pupil amount for 2025 (estimated) of $13,368, the national average of $17,467, and the APA recommended per-pupil amount of $17,609. Some of the funding allocations have resulted in positive shifts, including improved teacher compensation, fewer unfilled positions, additional programs and services, and enhanced student and staff supports.
Chronic absenteeism rates have dropped in Nye, Douglas, and Storey counties, and graduation rates increased in Nye, Washoe, and White Pine counties, but NASS representatives cautioned that sustained change will take time. Small increases were observed statewide in elementary ELA and math proficiency, as well as progress in Read by Grade 3 metrics. In CCSD, 13.4% of students in grades 3-8 met their AGP, but another 21.8% (or 48,252 students) were classified as “high growth” in math.
Concerns from NASS include data storytelling, chronic absenteeism metrics, standardized testing, and building a more personalized learning experience for students. NASS representatives reviewed top core skills, including analytical and creative thinking, flexibility, motivation, etc., and the importance of learner-centered, future-ready education, and the importance of innovative solutions as a bridge to the future. NASS will return in January to present its legislative platform, to include education funding, innovation for a learner-centered system, an accountability system that measures what matters, and investment in school mental health. Explore the presentation from NASS and handouts from NASS.
Eureka County School District presented on increasing student engagement in the classroom, including book clubs, professional development, and additional tools for student engagement in the classroom, resulting in reduced student discipline referrals. Explore the supplemental material.
Lyon County School District spoke about its LCSD Empower program, in alignment with the Portrait of a Nevada Learner, focusing on high-quality learning and educators. Art and music programs were reinstated for the first time in over two decades.
Pershing County School District spoke about its demographics, including four schools and an administrative office. Community engagement is strong among schools, including sports programs and fostering growth among students. Teachers are using technological resources to improve ELA scores. There is also significant alignment with professional learning and curriculum.
Elko County School District showed successes with NSPF measures, including a decline in chronic absenteeism, increasing graduation rates, and increases in dual enrollment programs. Other successes include work-based learning and career and technical education programming, and participation in non-mandatory learning experiences.
The State Public Charter School Authority highlighted accountability measures and student performance success. In its portfolio, it saw an increase in the number of four and five-star schools. Title I schools also perform better comparatively with peer schools in the state. In addition to the NSPF, charter schools also operate under an additional Academic Performance Framework.
The Nevada Association of School Boards are focusing on providing professional development opportunities for Trustees, optimal funding for school systems, universal school meals, capital improvement projects for rural districts, and students’ physical and emotional safety.
Board Received a Presentation on Student Discipline
Staff received a presentation on student discipline and the implementation of restorative justice practices. Suspensions increased for the majority of student groups during the 2023-24 school year, as detailed below. However, expulsions for Black students noticeably decreased year-over-year.
Incidents are broken down into nine general categories for 34 offense types: attendance-related behavior, violations of school rules, disruption of class/school activities, prohibited behaviors-general, bullying behaviors, substance use behaviors (NRS 385A.250), threat behaviors, violent behaviors (NRS 385A.250), and weapons involved behaviors (NRS 385.250).
The Department’s implementation of recent legislation (AB 285 and 330) includes developing a statewide framework for restorative justice practices in schools; training implementation; progressive discipline plans; education services plan; and reporting and accountability.
Washoe County officials detailed implementation of plans to create a system used throughout the district, to ensure individual plans followed the student from school to school.
Staff also introduced My Brother’s Keeper, a community partner organization through the City of Las Vegas, to close persistent opportunity gaps for young men in schools, through multiple task forces with six specific milestones for success: entering school ready to learn, reading at grade level by grade 3, graduating high school, completing postsecondary education or training, successfully employed, and remaining safe from violent crime.
Explore the presentation.
Board Celebrated State Board Members
Superintendent Ebert and Board members celebrated Member Rene Cantu and Board President Felicia Ortiz as they transition off the State Board of Education.
Future Agenda Items
Suggestions for future agenda items include Read by Grade 3 cut scores and event planning for recognition and award ceremonies. Goals include:
- Dual credit programs from the Nevada System of Higher Education
- CCSD’s reorganization compliance report
- ESSER update
- State Board of Education bylaws
- Absenteeism/truancy
- Update on age requirements for developmental delays
Public Comment #2
Public comment was heard on the following subjects:
- Thanks to outgoing Board members
- Student discipline disparities and educator safety
The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, January 8, at 9:00 a.m.
