Why Our Work Matters

Putting Kids First

Prioritizing student success

Every kid deserves to graduate high school college and career ready, prepared to live the life they dream. Leaving high school prepared ensures they have the foundation necessary to be an active participant in our community and economy.

Students have the biggest stake in educational outcomes, and putting them first has to be at the center of every decision made on the local, state, and federal levels, using sound, data-driven policies and practices. And we have work to do.

With new data pointing to nearly two decades of growth in math and reading wiped away by the last two years, with gaps in student achievement continuing to widen, especially among students who have been historically underrepresented in the past, and with ongoing concerns about the impact of current events, we must unite for student success.

Creating conditions for great schools and great school leaders to thrive takes meaning and intention around making tough decisions and having the will and fortitude to put kids first. By fostering an education ecosystem that uses models of good data, good governance, and an engaged community to grow the number of great schools and school leaders in our communities, we are creating the conditions for students to thrive.

In a 2023 survey, only 42% of respondents felt that Nevada’s education laws and policies put the interests of students first.

Group of students at a table working on a remote controlled car

What does putting kids first mean?

students walking in a school hallway

Ensuring families and students have a strong voice and a seat at the table. Family engagement has been shown to improve student achievement rates, graduation rates, and student-teacher relationships.

microphone

Supporting policies that use a student-focused approach and have been proven to work in other places. Sign the I Stand With Kids pledge to get the latest news and information from around the U.S.

Caucasian woman in a blazer smiling a the camera while she leans against a wall with a classroom as the backdrop

With Ed-Watch bulletins, you can easily stay informed about local and state school board meetings. Our 2-3 minute digests provide valuable insights on important education topics. Subscribe now to stay in the loop.

person looking at a paper of charts and graphs with a calculator at hand

Using data to inform your conversations with friends, family members, schools, and other stakeholders. Pop over to the School Scout Nevada data portal to explore how schools in your area are performing.

Additional Resources