The Student Member to the Nevada State Board of Education is appointed by the Governor in collaboration with NASC and Nevada Youth Legislature. They sit on two state boards: the Nevada Association of Student Councils State Board and the Nevada State Board of Education. They attend all Board of Education meetings and run the Ed Made Easy blog. During the meetings, they represent the interests of approximately half a million Nevada students.

The Ed Made Easy blog is run by the Student Member to the Board of Education and is a summary of the Board of Education’s monthly meetings in an easy-to-understand way, emphasizing problems related to students.

The Nevada State Board of Education creates the vision and policy goals for student achievement. They set policy standards to ensure every Nevada student receives equal and equitable access to high-quality education in a safe, respectful, and culturally responsive environment, no matter their background. The Board adopted the following mission statement in July 2021: “All Nevada students are equipped and feel empowered to attain their vision of success.”

In July 2021, the Nevada State Board of Education set two 5-year goals. Despite the common perception, Nevada ranks 18th in the nation for education based on the Academic portions of Quality Counts K-12 Student Achievement. However, the Board aims to be among the top 10 states by July 2026.
When setting these goals, only 23.9% of Nevada graduates obtained a College and Career Ready (CCR) diploma. The Board’s second objective is to increase this percentage to 50% by July 2026. They plan to address disparities among student groups and raise the overall average to achieve this.

The STIP, or Statewide Plan for the Improvement of Pupils, is a five-year-long improvement plan required by law. The Board of Education must submit or revise a plan on or before March 31st of each year. The 2020 STIP supports its vision (All Nevada students are equipped and feel empowered to attain their vision of success) and their mission (to improve student achievement and educator effectiveness by ensuring opportunities, facilitating learning, and promoting excellence). It outlines six values: Equity, Access to Quality, Success, Inclusivity, Community, and Transparency.
It also outlines six goals:
Goal 1: All children, birth through third grade, have access to quality early care and education.
Goal 2: All students have access to effective educators.
Goal 3: All students experience continued academic growth.
Goal 4: All students graduate future-ready and globally prepared for postsecondary success and civic life.
Goal 5: All students have access to new and continued educational opportunities supported by funding that is administered transparently, consistently, and in accordance with legislative or grant guidelines.
Goal 6: All students and adults learn and work together in safe environments where identities and relationships are valued and celebrated.
They also combine values and goals to create strategies. Click here to read about the strategies and learn more about the STIP.