On December 10, 2015, President Obama signed into law the bi-partisan Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the latest version of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) that now replaces the widely criticized No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law. - See bill at www.CCBlackCaucus.com. This new law addresses many student needs in the CCBC sponsored education initiative, Operation32371.org. This new law calls for universal access to highly effective teachers, early childhood education, access to college and career preparation, and equitable instructional resources. Key focus areas:
Although Victory schools are well underway, Nevada parents are awaiting judicial rulings on the implementation of the Education Savings Account (ESA) funds. The ACLU has filed a lawsuit to prevent implementation of this program siting the prohibition of federal funds for private school tuition. If ruled in favor of the Nevada Department of Education, the program will allow parents to choose where their student attends school or home schooled. Scholarships to low income students to help supplement costs of private school tuition is available to supplement tuition costs. The application deadline to receive funds is quickly approaching and can be found at http://www.nevadatreasurer.gov/SchoolChoice/Home/
With the final passing of multicultural education, expect to see changes to social studies curriculum and state standards to include more racially diverse content and teacher cultural competency training. To encourage high performing teachers to teach at high risk schools, a $5,000 bonus should increase the number of certified teachers on campus and reduce the number of substitute teachers. Additionally, proficiency gaps will be easier to identify with the passing of AB107 that requires the reporting of student proficiencies by race, ethnicity, and gender.
There will be tremendous focus on the reorganization of Clark County School District. Legislators want to provide the community with more local accountability and engagement, and passed legislation with bipartisan support requiring the development of a plan that will reorganize Clark County School District into smaller regional (precinct) districts. Go to http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/78th2015/Reports/history.cfm?ID=864 to see how your legislator voted. It may be surprising. Complete our community survey www.CCBlackCaucus.com by January 20th and provide your feedback.
Keep your eye on education in 2016, it promises to be an exciting year.
- Closes achievement gaps through more efficient assessments, transparent reporting, and improvement plans tailored to meet the needs of each student and school
- Sets the highest standard for all students, with state standards aligned for college and career readiness and reporting on access to higher level courses
- Offers targeted school support plans where any subgroup of students is struggling so that poverty will not be an excuse for not being able to best serve students
- Provides supplemental funding to promote safe, healthy, and well-rounded students through STEM education, mental health resources, arts and music programs, and community involvement
- Reduces the use of exclusionary discipline practices
- Authorizes a program to assist with implemental early childhood learning and reaching all students, including those most vulnerable students who would otherwise fall behind
- Ensures fiscal fairness so that students will have equal access to experienced and effective teachers and school leaders by reporting on per pupil expenditures
- Maintains federal authority to hold non-compliers accountable
Although Victory schools are well underway, Nevada parents are awaiting judicial rulings on the implementation of the Education Savings Account (ESA) funds. The ACLU has filed a lawsuit to prevent implementation of this program siting the prohibition of federal funds for private school tuition. If ruled in favor of the Nevada Department of Education, the program will allow parents to choose where their student attends school or home schooled. Scholarships to low income students to help supplement costs of private school tuition is available to supplement tuition costs. The application deadline to receive funds is quickly approaching and can be found at http://www.nevadatreasurer.gov/SchoolChoice/Home/
With the final passing of multicultural education, expect to see changes to social studies curriculum and state standards to include more racially diverse content and teacher cultural competency training. To encourage high performing teachers to teach at high risk schools, a $5,000 bonus should increase the number of certified teachers on campus and reduce the number of substitute teachers. Additionally, proficiency gaps will be easier to identify with the passing of AB107 that requires the reporting of student proficiencies by race, ethnicity, and gender.
There will be tremendous focus on the reorganization of Clark County School District. Legislators want to provide the community with more local accountability and engagement, and passed legislation with bipartisan support requiring the development of a plan that will reorganize Clark County School District into smaller regional (precinct) districts. Go to http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/78th2015/Reports/history.cfm?ID=864 to see how your legislator voted. It may be surprising. Complete our community survey www.CCBlackCaucus.com by January 20th and provide your feedback.
Keep your eye on education in 2016, it promises to be an exciting year.
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