Nevada Schools Put State's Economy At Risk - WestEd Report Says Urgent Need for Faster Improvement

Nevada continues to rank at or near the bottom in state-by-state comparisons for student achievement in reading and math. "Nevada's poor marks largely stem from the state's population boom, particularly in Clark and Washoe Counties, and this rapid influx of new students," says Paul Koehler, Director of WestEd's Policy Center. "Teachers face additional challenges from immigrant students who struggle to learn English at the same time they must learn math and science content."

Nevada also has one of the lowest high school graduation rates in the nation, as well as exceptionally low numbers of students going on to college - bad news for civic leaders wishing to diversify the Nevada economy. "It's difficult to entice new business development when we can't offer corporations a highly educated workforce," says Jim Hager, co-director of the Center for Education Policy Studies (CEPS) at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. "There's a clear and unfortunate link between low paying jobs, a service- and tourism-based economy, and our low graduation rates." Nearly 60 percent of Nevada's jobs pay less than a living wage for a three-person family, and the resulting poverty correlates with low education achievement. Not surprisingly, Las Vegas, where these service and tourism jobs are concentrated, ranks last in level of education among all major U.S. metropolitan areas, even when factoring in highly educated workers recruited from other states.

The WestEd report, developed in collaboration with CEPS, lauds efforts by the Nevada Department of Education to reduce class size, offer more preschool education opportunities, build an education technology infrastructure, strengthen teacher quality, and develop a uniform student information system.

But it also highlights the need to further improve student achievement across the board and to increase high school graduation rates. The report expresses particular concern at persistent, significant racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic achievement gaps, as well as exceptionally low per-pupil funding for school operations.

According to the authors, the following would improve Nevada's schools and therefore the state economy:

1. Make education a state priority.
2. Prepare teachers better, especially for teaching English language learners.
3. Use timely student data to make teaching and program improvements.
4. Implement research-based strategies to reduce achievement gaps.
5. Create a statewide plan specifically for high schools.
6. Increase access to quality infant/toddler daycare and preschool education.
7. Provide schools and teachers with more financial resources and support.

"It's no longer a question of not knowing what to do. We can turn our schools around with hard work and determination, and I think Nevada is ready to accept the challenge," said Keith Rheault, Superintendent of Public Instruction at the Nevada Department of Education, in response to the report. "Where there's a will, there's a way."

The full report can be viewed at www.WestEd.org/nevadareport.

NEVADA EDUCATION AT A GLANCE

* The Nevada student population has grown at a rate nearly four times the national average since 1970 and is projected to lead the nation in enrollment growth for the next decade.
* Nearly 17% of students are English language learners.
* Nevada ranks 47th in the nation for high school graduation rates.
* Nevada ranks 47th in the nation in per-pupil operational funding.
* Nevada ranks 50th in the nation for high school graduates age 25-29 who have completed a bachelor's degree or higher.
* Nevada ranks 47th in nation for young adults who have enrolled in or completed college.

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About WestEd:
WestEd, a national nonprofit research, development, and service agency, works with education and other communities to promote excellence, achieve equity, and improve learning for children, youth, and adults. WestEd has 16 offices nationwide, from Washington and Boston to Arizona and California. Its corporate headquarters are in San Francisco. More information about WestEd is available at WestEd.org.

About the Center for Education Policy Studies:
The Center for Education Policy Studies (CEPS) is a research center of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, designed to address important education policy issues that contribute to the improvement of schools in the State of Nevada.

Additional Media Contacts:

WestEd Policy Center Director (Phoenix, AZ)
Paul Koehler
Phone: 602.322.7004
E-mail: pkoehle@wested.org

UNLV Center for Education Policy Studies Co-Director (Las Vegas, NV)
Jim Hager
Phone: 702.280.1006
E-mail: jimhager7@msn.com