Appreciation of the Past and Present

President Ortiz called the meeting to order and we started with our first public comment regarding the program J4NG (Jobs for Nevada Graduates), High School student Taniya Moore from Chaparral High School spoke on this program and its impact on both students and teachers and the outstanding progress that continues to grow. This program was visited later in the meeting regarding more in-depth details. Following public comment, we continue with the President’s report. President Ortiz brought up the Portrait of a Learner program and the opportunity given to students across the state to advocate for different areas in our educational system and how important it is to have these students have a voice. Continuing with the President’s report we welcomed a new member to the board, Ms. Maggie Carlton, who is a part of the Nevada State Legislature and is the most extended female member (24 years) both in the State Assembly and Senate. As happy as this was, we had to say a very emotional goodbye to Vice President Newburn. Vice President Newburn grew up here in the State of Nevada, graduating from Rancho High School in Las Vegas, and served 10 years on the board. In his 10 years, he has made immeasurable changes by being a part of senate bills, supporting STEM classes, and including computer science in the school systems to be a part of the required classes. He has never missed a meeting in the 10 years serving the board as well as attended every meeting the year prior before joining the board. I extend my gratitude to Vice President Newburn for being by my side at the start of my term, as well as showing continuous support to the Student Members before me. 

Next, Superintendent Ebert reported for the past month. The Senate sessions will be held starting from February 6th, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The NDE (Nevada Department of Education) Funding Formula will be discussed at the Legislative session on January 27th. Superintendent Ebert acknowledged a prominent part in our educational system the Principal Advisory Cabinet and they further discussed policy, Portrait of a Learner, Senior Year Graduation Requirements, and Purple Star Schools. Their 3 main goals were clear and includes the Teaching and Learning Statement, Teacher Recruitment and Recognition, and Family Engagement and Support. The cabinet is made up of private, public, and charter schools voicing all areas of the system, and according to one of their members, “When the students are served the whole state succeeds by it.”. 

Strengths in the System

The next item of business was such a heartfelt part of the meeting as we had the 5 candidates for Teacher of the Year in attendance as well as the winner. The candidates are as follows, Laura Jeanne Penrod (Southwest Career and Technical Academy, CCSD), Jamie Tadrzynski (Canyon Springs HS, CCSD), Adrienne Wiggins (Empire Elementary School, Carson City SD), Michaela Marich (McGill Elementary School (WPCSD). The 2023 Nevada Teacher of the Year is Connie Hall (Lloyd Diedrichsen Elementary School (WCSD). As each teacher had their opportunity to speak, Connie Hall said the following, “All students in Nevada are stars and we (teachers) are the light.”. Congratulations to all the candidates and the recipient, and thank you for all your service to the students in Nevada. Applications for this year are expected to open in either March or April. 

The next item discussed was the Kindergarten Policy Statement. Kindergarten standards and lessons hold such importance and having a strengths-based, play-based approach to joyful, engaged learning, and equitable learning opportunities is the way to strengthen the young system. It is important to align practices and implementation in early learning settings so that people can recognize multiple assets all young children bring to early learning settings. The goal is to bridge 0-5 systems and PreK-12 systems to where we can focus on administrator effectiveness, teacher effectiveness, and learning environment which includes but is not limited to the alignment of curriculum, assessment, and instructional practices. Member Superintendent Summer Stevens brought to attention that there play-based learning shouldn’t just be for Kindergarten but should eventually travel on to the high school level, as I agree that’s what keeps the love of education alive. 

Secondary Performance 

Moving from Kindergarten to High School, we received a presentation on 2021-2022 graduation rates. As much as there is room for improvement in the data it is important to note that there has been a 0.41% increase in the graduation rate in the state. There is an overall goal to give students statewide the opportunity to participate in CTE (Career and Technical Education) programs and increase the graduation rates with the CCR (College and Career Ready) diplomas. A new program is live and will be further explained soon, but it is called the Digital Collaborative which is a statewide online school that offers courses that aren’t offered at their school. It is important to have these opportunities so that all students can be on an even playing field. This is also in hopes of all students getting the opportunity to graduate with a CCR Diploma and get to make that choice on their own.

After High School, it can be difficult to find your place in this world. This next presentation made that clear, and their initiative helped with those underlying questions. J4NG keeps track of and helps students during High School and after graduation. They help provide career opportunities such as working with Tesla and Goodwill Medical Program, in hopes of helping them further with a career that the student genuinely wants to pursue. Communities in Schools of Nevada serves 92 title 1 school and high school needs in Clark, Elko, Humboldt, and Washoe County School Districts. They partner with people who can truly help with academic assistance, basic needs, behavioral interventions, college and career prep, community and service learning, enrichment, family engagement, life skills, mental health, and physical health. Through this program the graduation rate is as follows, 95% Northeastern, 97% Western, 94% Southern, and Statewide 94%. Other data are as followed, 70% Improved Attendance, 83% Improved Behavior, 79% Improved Coursework, 99% Promoted to the Next Grade Level, and 97% of Academy Students who graduated. You can learn more at https://www.cisnevada.org/.

The Fulfillment Fund also helps with post-secondary education. They help elevate post-secondary programs and education including, college tours, fulfill that need for those who don’t get the opportunity to have the chance to go to college, career explore, remove the financial barrier, and form relationships that are a huge part of moving the needle to make sure that all students feel elevated. 

Results

The CCR Assessment survey had come to a close and now was the time to receive the results. 276 High School students responded to the survey and the overall goal chosen was to have the test align with widely accepted admissions requirements for colleges and universities and/or scholarship requirements. A Sub Committee was created and will go over this at the March meeting with an effort to come to an overall conclusion and product and go to the procurement office to send out the bid. 

Later School Start time is and will still be an ongoing discussion, as this topic was tabled and moved to our next meeting agenda, the workshops for all stakeholders (staff, students, parents) are soon to be scheduled. There will be 3 different workshops held in the North, West, and South regions.

Election of Officers

From March on there will be quite a few possible changes regarding the members of the board as terms start expiring this year. I would like to address my position as Student Member, the application is due February 14th. You must be a member of NASC and a public school student in your sophomore or junior year. In the most recent month, I made the decision to run for a different position on the NASC board leaving me to no longer apply for the SMBOE position. I encourage those interested to reach out with any questions you have about the job and application and you can also contact Ms. Sandy Ginger at nascsouthexec@gmail.com.

The entire meeting materials can be found HERE. The next State Board of Education meeting will take place on March 16th, 2023. I look forward to seeing our Southern Schools at Zone!