March 11th, 2026

Board Member Updates

The meeting began with board member updates, including highlights from Nevada Reading Week and updates from subcommittees such as the At-Risk Subcommittee. There was also discussion about the Board’s ongoing role in making recommendations related to the school performance framework, as well as future decisions tied to the new state assessment and Read by Grade 3 retention requirements.

I also shared an update on my own work connecting with districts across Nevada to ask whether they have student trustees or student advisory groups. My goal is to get a more complete picture of student voice across the state and help connect student representatives with one another.

Superintendent’s Report

Superintendent Wakefield shared several updates from across the state. First, he recognized Adam Young of White Pine County as Nevada’s Superintendent of the Year. He also highlighted Nevada Reading Week, which took place March 2–6. Reading Week began in 1987 to celebrate literacy, and this year’s theme focused on books and adventure. The Governor and Superintendent Wakefield both visited elementary schools to read with students. The Board also recognized Youth Art Month, whose 2026 theme is “The World Needs Art.” A statewide festival was held March 14 in Reno through Arts for All Nevada, celebrating the role of visual arts in education and daily life.

A major portion of the Superintendent’s report focused on the Nevada Department of Education’s Listening Tour and Strategic Path Forward. Superintendent Wakefield shared that he has visited 8 districts, completed 25 classroom visits, and held 9 structured dialogues so far. One of the biggest themes he has heard is that there is too much inconsistency across the state. While Nevada has many bright spots, there are still persistent teacher shortages, strained trust at the system level, and challenges caused by a statewide enrollment decline of 35,000 students over the last five years. At the same time, school choice was identified as one bright spot for some communities. Looking ahead, the Department plans to update the Statewide Plan for the Improvement of Pupils (STIP), better align NDE divisions and offices, invest in planning grants for up to three districts, revise accountability efforts, and prepare a 2027 legislative agenda that reflects these priorities.

Informational Updates

The Board received several informational updates, including the Annual Report of the State of Public Education, the Financial Literacy Council Biennial Report, and the Specialized Instructional Support Personnel Ratios and Strategic Plan Update. The FY26 Class Size Reduction Report was supposed to be included as well, but it was moved and will instead appear at a future board meeting.

Consent Agenda

The consent agenda included a dual credit request for Leadership Academy of Nevada in partnership with Truckee Meadows Community College, as well as revised and regular meeting minutes. Board members raised concerns that overly detailed minutes make them less readable for the public. For transparency, Member Orr suggested using time stamps linked to the meeting video recordings instead of including so much verbatim detail in the written minutes. There was also a suggestion to look into improving the Board’s camera setup. After discussion, the consent agenda was approved.

Board Goals and Metrics

The Board discussed whether its current goals and measures still reflect what Nevada education needs today. There was agreement that some of the existing metrics may no longer fully align with current priorities. Member Braxton recommended holding a full-board retreat, and the Board agreed to move forward with that type of setting so members can spend time reflecting, discussing priorities, and thinking more strategically about future goals.

Deferred Presentation on Developmental Delay

The Board also received an update that the Department’s presentation regarding age criteria for developmental delay was not ready yet and would instead be brought back at the May meeting. No action was taken on this item.

Statewide Plan for the Improvement of Pupils (STIP)

The Board received a presentation on STIP Target 1, which focuses on ensuring universal access to high-quality Pre-K through 12 learning. The data presented showed that K–3 literacy proficiency is improving, and there has been meaningful growth in that benchmark. In grades 3 through 8, math also showed an important equity win, with improvement seen in every subgroup. The presentation described progress in foundational areas such as the quality of instructional materials, stabilization in middle school math and English language arts, and a stronger focus on college and career readiness and academic rigor.

At the same time, concerns were raised. Only 8 of Nevada’s 18 districts currently meet the criteria related to using academic programs on state-approved lists for the SPCSA. Member Orr pointed out that some districts are still using materials adopted years ago that technically meet requirements, while other members raised concerns that the process for approving high-quality instructional materials may need to be revisited. There was also discussion about whether the Board is being asked to take on too much responsibility in this area, which could reduce the quality of the work. Some members also expressed concern that educators do not have enough voice in shaping the STIP, and the Board indicated it wants a more active role in its development.

2025 Legislative Changes and the Board’s Role

The Board received an update on education statutes passed in the 2025 Legislative Session and what responsibilities they create for the State Board. The presentation explained that the Nevada Department of Education includes both the State Board and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, but that the Board’s role is continuing to evolve. The trend is a shift away from detailed administrative oversight and toward a more high-level strategic governance role.

The Board’s responsibilities still include things like regulatory authority, courses of study, waivers and approvals, assessment systems, licensure actions, strategic policy, and reports. Some recent changes include giving the Department of Education oversight of education scholarships and grant programs, as well as annual reviews of teacher licensure providers. Under SB460, responsibility for the STIP now belongs to the Department, with consultation from the State Board. Vice President Hughes emphasized that the Board needs a clear understanding of what is and is not within its authority before the retreat. There was also discussion about how the Board changed from being fully elected to now being mostly appointed, along with concerns from Member Ford about district-charter conversion issues. Superintendent Wakefield noted that charter conversions would require legislative change. Other members emphasized that all of these schools are still public schools and that open enrollment and choice can benefit students.

Read by Grade 3

The Board also received an important informational presentation on Read by Grade 3 and the State Board’s future responsibilities tied to reading assessments. The Department explained that Nevada currently uses the 40th percentile as a literacy risk indicator. This means the tool is used to identify students who may be at risk for not reaching reading proficiency. The 40th percentile benchmark has been in place since the Board adopted the NWEA MAP Growth reading assessment in 2016.

A major future change is coming: beginning July 1, 2028, Nevada law will require that a student be retained in third grade if they do not receive a passing score in reading. The State Board will eventually need to make several decisions related to that law, including what the passing score for promotion to fourth grade will be, what alternative assessment options will be available for students who do not meet the score, and what the passing score for those alternative assessments should be. Member Orr emphasized that the Board should develop a timeline for these decisions so districts have enough time to prepare. No action was taken yet, but this will be an important topic in future meetings.

Future Agenda Requests

Member Braxton asked for a list of individuals who have served on the State Board over time, as a way of understanding how the Board has changed through different perspectives and eras. She also requested future discussion on mental health. Other requests included a deeper look at Career and Technical Education (CTE) and how the Board can best support those opportunities, a future vote on what Board meeting minutes should look like, keeping Read by Grade 3 decisions on every agenda moving forward, and continuing to hear more directly about what the community wants from the Board.

You can find the meeting materials HERE, the agenda HERE, and the video recording HERE. The next meeting will be held on May 13th at 9 AM.