America’s working class is feeling the squeeze in this new economy.  Trying to make ends meet while working longer hours has taken a terrible toll on families and their children.  With parents often underemployed and working two or three part time jobs to make ends meet, the deck seems stacked and often not in our favor.
 
The wealth gap between blacks and whites has nearly tripled over the past 25 years, due largely to inequality in home ownership, income, education and inheritances, according to a study by Brandeis University.  Researchers followed 1700 families over 25 years and found typical white households accumulated wealth on average of $236,500 in net worth in 2009, compared to black families at $28,500 in the United States.  A shocking comparison and a quickly widening gap in America.
 
Although in Nevada, the black job unemployment gap, almost double that of white and Hispanic workers, helps drive the widening gap, home ownership is a large factor. Price appreciation is more limited in non-white neighborhoods, making it harder for blacks to build equity, and more often lack family financial assistance for down payments.  Black families purchase homes on average eight years later than white homeowners.

Additionally, strapped with high interest rate student loans, four in five black students graduate with high debt, compared to 64% of whites, making it more difficult for them to begin accumulating wealth.  Additionally, whites are five times more likely to inherit money than blacks, and that inheritance is typically ten times larger.
 
Unless Nevada and America aggressively deals with the growing wealth gap there will be wider ramifications. Thomas Shapiro, Director, Institute on Assets and Social Policy at Brandeis University cautions, “If the pattern continues, people could start believing the deck is stacked against them. Our economy cannot sustain its growth in the face of this type of extreme wealth inequality," he said.

To discuss this issue, the Clark County Black Caucus and Nevada’s Lt Governor, Mark Hutchison recently co-hosted the African American Job Economic Summit in Las Vegas, bringing a coalition of public agencies, organizations, business and community leaders, advocates, and elected officials together.  Nevada Chief Economist, Bill Anderson provided a report identifying disparity gaps amongst African Americans in Nevada, and employment sectors where opportunities may improve employment outcomes in the future.  For more information about this event or future opportunities to participate in this discussion please visit www.CCBlackCaucus.com or email Yvette Williams at [email protected].

During this election season we must take the time to review the public record of those representing us, and if they are in fact serving our interest.  It’s important that we encourage members within our own communities to consider seeking public office sensitive to neighborhood needs.   Our future depends on who you choose at the ballot box.  As we begin to “vet” candidates and evaluate their record, I hope you’ll consider the CCBC list of endorsed candidates running for office in next month’s edition when making your informed decision. 

The power of one voice can change a country.  Such was the case in 1964, when a Mississippi sharecropper, Fannie Lou Hamer took on the Democratic Party with an emotional speech at the Democratic National Convention.  Her voice was so powerful that President Lyndon B. Johnson attempted to silence her by planning a presidential press conference during her scheduled speech.  It did not work and news stations around the country rebroadcast her testimony… “Is this America, the land of the free and the home of the brave,” asked Hamer during the emotional speech. “Where we have to sleep with our telephones off of the hooks because our lives be threatened daily, because we want to live as decent human beings, in America?”
 
After suffering from a brutal police beating in a bogus arrest for registering to vote, Fannie Lou wanted Mississippi's all-white and anti-civil rights delegation to the Democratic National Convention, to represent all Mississippians.  She formed the Mississippi Freedom Democrat Party and drew national attention to the struggles of African Americans. Hamer challenged the party based on then Minneapolis Mayor, Hubert Humphrey’s 1948 championing of a more inclusive party that adopted a platform calling for equal opportunity in the military, workplace, and politics.  As a result, most southern Democrats abandoned the Democratic Party, forming their own conservative “Dixiecrats” party.
 
As a result of Hamer’s radio broadcast, the Credentials Committee received thousands of letters in support and phone calls to seat the Freedom Democrats.  President Johnson in an effort to resolve the problem during a heated election year, dispatched Vice President Hubert Humphrey.
 
Humphrey, often credited with pushing through the Voting Rights Act of 1965, asked for a compromise to which Hamer responded “Do you mean to tell me that your position is more important than four hundred thousand black people's lives? Senator Humphrey, I know lots of people in Mississippi who have lost their jobs trying to register to vote. I had to leave the plantation where I worked in Sunflower County, Mississippi. Now if you lose this job of Vice-President because you do what is right, because you help the MFDP, everything will be all right. God will take care of you. But if you take [the nomination] this way, why, you will never be able to do any good for civil rights, for poor people, for peace, or any of those things you talk about. Senator Humphrey, I'm going to pray to Jesus for you.”
 
The MFDP was finally seated at the 1968 convention, after the Democratic Party adopted a clause which demanded equality of representation from their states' delegations.  However, it wouldn’t be until 1972 before Fannie Lou Hamer would be elected as a national party delegate, where she received a thunderous standing ovation when she became the first African American to take her rightful seat as an official delegate at a national-party convention since the Reconstruction period after the Civil War.  Due to complications from hypertension and breast cancer, Fannie Lou Hamer passed away in 1977.  Her famous quote “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired” is engraved in her tombstone.
 
During this presidential election cycle let’s remember the brave Fannie Lou Hamer’s of the world that demanded change and refused to remain “sick and tired of being sick and tired.”

Yvette Williams is a community advocate and Chair/Founder of the Clark County Black Caucus, a non-partisan community organization driven 100% by volunteer members registered to vote.  Follow her Blog at www.YvetteBWilliams.com and on twitter @YvetteBWilliams or contact her at [email protected] for more information.

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:

• 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

Not to be outdone, the Nevada State Legislature passed historical education reforms with bi-partisan support and 2016 promises to be an exceptional year for educational outcomes, especially for students in high poverty communities.  At last, Nevada is positioned to finally tackle the embarrassing low proficiencies of students on free or reduced lunch, and providing additional resources to address their needs.
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.

As we settle in to celebrate another holiday season with the joy of family, I can’t help but reflect on many cherished memories and ponder opportunities the New Year promises to bring.  As our children have grown into inspiring young ladies pursuing their dreams, it’s the holiday traditions that remind me how blessed we are as we gather around the dinner table laughing and sharing stories of years past.  For me, this is what the season is truly about… Family!

Since our oldest child was two years old, my husband made a big commitment by agreeing to dress up as Santa each Christmas Eve.  For nearly ten years, it was such a joy to watch the girls wake up surprising Santa putting their gifts under the tree and letting them open a gift while sitting on his lap before dashing off to deliver more gifts around the World.  The twinkle in their eyes said it all. 

I’ll never forget the day both girls rushed home to show me the picture they took with Santa at our neighbors’ house party, explaining to me that he wasn’t the “real” Santa because the “real” Santa was Black.  Until one year, Dominique who was now eight, noticed that Santa’s ears looked very much like Dad’s and that made her wonder.  The following year she blew Dad’s cover to Alyse.   It wasn’t long before Santa’s real identify was revealed to me in confidence, but I told the girls how much Dad really enjoyed dressing up and doing this for them, so let’s not disappoint him.  It would be a few years before the girls started complaining about interrupting their sleep to see Santa and Damone asked if the girls were aware.

Now, the deal was he’d go along with my crazy plan only if I promised to tell him when they had figured him out.  But, I was having way too much fun seeing Black Santa every Christmas Eve dressed up, and when my mother decided to start sitting on Santa’s lap and asking for her gift each Christmas Eve, it was just too good a tradition to end. 

Well, although my husband hasn’t dressed up for us in years, he has pulled the Santa costume out of the battered box to bring joy to children in poverty on several occasions, and I often wonder how I’m going to get him back into that Santa costume when the grandchildren start to arrive. 

From my family to yours, we wish you a wonderfully blessed and happy holiday season.  Enjoy your family traditions and consider some of ours, but with everything may your memories be bright. 

Our holiday traditions:  Take turns reading portions of the story of Christmas from the Bible.  The reason for the season.   Have the kids clean out their toy boxes/video games and donate them. This is a great way to teach the principal of giving.  Adopt a family and shop for items on their wish list.  We always found a family to help through the girl’s school counselor and the girls felt connected.  Cookie decorating night and enjoy eating them over hot apple cider with friends. We always allow the girls to invite a couple of their closest friends.  Enjoy a night out at Opportunity Village and drink hot cocoa while touring the holiday lights.  Visit the strip and pretend you’re a tourist having dinner out and catching a show.  And last but not least, celebrate Kwanzaa with a traditional potluck and dress up.  Celebrate your heritage and history.

Yvette Williams is a community advocate and Chair/Founder of the Clark County Black Caucus, a non-partisan community organization driven 100% by volunteer members registered to vote.  Follow her Blog at www.YvetteBWilliams.com and on twitter @YvetteBWilliams or contact her at [email protected] for more information.

Expectations are running high in the classrooms and hallways of Clark County School District.  Dr. Mike Barton, Chief Student Achievement Officer for CCSD announced the appointment of Dr. Celese Rayford to head up Victory Schools in collaboration with Dr. Jeff Geihs, who will continue to supervise six Victory Schools in his Turnaround Zone.  On August 12th over 1,000 parents and stakeholders participated in individual school site meetings to provide input for individual Victory School plans.  The plans are available to the public, Interim Superintendent of Student Achievement for Nevada Department of Education, Steve Canavero instructs those interested in viewing them to the Department website (http://www.doe.nv.gov/Legislative/Victory_Schools_Program/.  Each plan is required to address the unique needs of their students, and CCSD Superintendent Pat Skorkowsky has announced that regular progress reports will be available on a dedicated website launching soon.  
Under development is a community Literacy Center to assist students and families.  Every Victory School offers pre-k classes and additional literacy programs and learning strategies.  Furthermore, teachers will utilize an assessment tool that tracks student achievement and drives instruction with real time data, allowing parents access to regular and timely student performance.  Attend the CCBC Annual Education Forum on October 26th for more updates on Victory, Turnaround Schools, and other legislative mandates currently in development.
 
Currently, a workgroup is tasked with providing recommendations for teacher licensure requirements as a result of Assemblyman Harvey Munford’s multicultural education bill passing. Changes are also underway to ensure that statewide standards adhere to the new law requiring ethnic diversity.  Our diverse student population will better identify with future curriculum and benefit from the cultural competency training of teaching staff.
 
Several workgroups are either underway or in development to implement additional key bills to student achievement including Read By 3 that should dramatically improve student achievement by requiring individual literacy plans for any student not yet proficient by the age of 3.  AB165 provides scholarships to low income students to help supplement costs of private school tuition. In combination with the Education Savings Account (ESA) funds, it is intended to help supplement tuition costs.  Applications are required for ESA funds and can be found at http://www.nevadatreasurer.gov/SchoolChoice/Home/ and visit www.CCBlackCaucus.com to learn about additional education reforms passed this legislative session, and Education Forum details.
 
Yvette Williams is a community advocate and Chair/Founder of the Clark County Black Caucus, a non-partisan community organization driven 100% by volunteer members registered to vote.  Follow her Blog at www.YvetteBWilliams.com and on twitter @YvetteBWilliams or contact her at [email protected] for more information.

The U.S. Department of Education announced recently that the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans met at the U.S. Capitol “to review strategic goals and discuss its progress to date. The commission will also learn about any new federal or Department of Education priorities and initiatives impacting the learning and development of African American students of all ages.”

The Clark County Black Caucus is hosting their 10th Annual Education Forum & African American Student Summit in partnership with Clark County School District on October 26th at 6:00 p.m. at Canyon Springs High School. The President’s Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans and Ebony Magazine will co-host the event.  We are pleased that Executive Director, David Johns will be joining us once again to share with us White House priorities and opportunities for Black student achievement. 
Last February, over 125 students had the opportunity to engage local elected officials during the first student summit.  Those discussions helped to inform legislators during the Nevada legislative session about education policy impacting them in school, and is reflected in current legislation.
The community will learn more about the many programs and changes to education at this event, better define expectations, and have the opportunity to interact with decision makers.  For more information visit www.CCBlackCaucus.com

Fifty years ago President Lyndon B Johnson addressed US Congress calling it “America’s Promise.” His remarks were monumental bringing many in the audience to tears.  Although progress towards equality has been hit and miss throughout our history in America, these words remain relevant today, “But even if we pass this bill, the battle will not be over. What happened in Selma is part of a far larger movement which reaches into every section and State of America. It is the effort of American Negroes to secure for themselves the full blessings of American life.  Their cause must be our cause too. Because it is not just Negroes, but really it is all of us, who must overcome the crippling legacy of bigotry and injustice.  And we shall overcome.”

As America continues to struggle with racism and injustice, it is as important today as in 1965 that every American may cast their ballot without restriction and with dignity.  It is incumbent upon each of us to remain vigil in protecting our right to vote.  Your vote influences public policy and the laws in which we all live. 

The US Census Bureau, Voting and Registration in the Election of November 2014 report clearly demonstrates the lack of interest minority voters had in that mid-term election. Black voter turnout in Nevada was 30.6%, substantially less than the 65.1% in 2008 and 66% in 2012 when Barack Obama was on the ballot, and the first time Black voter turnout exceeded White voter turnout at 65%. In Nevada the Clark County Black Caucus estimated an even high turnout in their report “Power of the Black Vote,” September, 2011. In comparison for 2014 mid-term elections, Asian voter turnout was 15.7%, White voter turnout 36%, and Hispanic voter turnout at 18.4%.  

As the Latino population has grown over the past decade, so too has the number of Latinos eligible to vote and they have rightfully demanded attention from both major political parties.  In 2008, Hispanics made up 7.4% of all voters, up from 6.0% in 2004 according to the Pew Research Center Hispanic Trends. “Nonetheless, Hispanics are still a smaller part of the potential electorate than might be expected given their rapid population growth and share of the general population.”  This is due in part to citizenship. 55% of all Hispanics are not eligible to vote due to age or non-citizenship. By comparison 46% of Asians, 31% of Blacks, and 21% of Whites are ineligible to vote. For example, according to the Pew Hispanic analysis, more than 25 million blacks are eligible to vote in 2012 as are more than 152 million whites—both larger than the Hispanic electorate. http://www.pewhispanic.org/2012/10/01/trends-in-latino-voter-registration/

Sadly, the high number of incarcerated, including formally incarcerated and otherwise eligible Black and Hispanic voters is a contributing factor driving the higher percentages, and in my opinion is a civil rights issue that is finally getting promising attention for prison reforms in Congress with bipartisan support.  It is estimated by the Sentencing Project that nearly 8% of Blacks cannot vote because of felon disenfranchisement. www.sentencingproject.org

In full disclosure, I am a registered Democrat and for years Black voters have expressed their growing frustration with both the left/progressive movement and Democratic Party ignoring issues important to them.  There is a feeling that their vote is taken for granted and only become rhetorical “talking points” during election season.  The Joint Center National Poll, Pew Research Center reports substantiate the growing problem.  In 2012 Black voters registered as Democrats dropped to 76% from a high in 2000 of 89%, and increasingly changing their party affiliation to Non-partisan at approximately 5% in 2000 and 15% in 2012. Black Republican registration remains approximately the same.

At the recent National Urban League conference this topic was discussed and many share the same concerns such as activist and former President Obama advisor, Van Jones, who said during a panel discussion about the Presidential race, "We are a part, as black voters, of a coalition that we've given everything to and can't ask anything from…As long as that's our position, we're going to continue to be mistreated within our own party."

Nationally, the Black community continues to struggle with the same social issues we believed we were working to solve together when the voting rights act was passed. However,  unemployment in Nevada for Blacks continue to remain double other ethnic groups and exceeded 15% in April 2015, while White unemployment decreased to 7.0%, and Hispanic 7.1%. When will candidates share with us their plan to resolve this job disparity? Are they willing to discuss one?  With the lack of access to opportunities for Black owned businesses, and criminal justice reforms, the one great hope is the advancements made to address the education disparity in the Nevada Legislature this year. 

Nevada must deal with this growing disparity, as too often Black college graduates struggle with finding employment at home and are forced to find jobs elsewhere.  The problem becomes more pragmatic for students  graduating high school and seeking a career path.

Conservative journalist, Noah Rothman writes in an essay in Commentary magazine, "If Republicans were even modestly successful in appealing to African-Americans, it would make winning elections substantially more difficult for Democratic politicians.”  However, it's my opinion that the dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party is complicated for Black folk, given the lack of trust many have of the Republican Party and their agenda. 

The Black voters in Nevada have tremendous clout in the outcomes of the 2016 election.  Voters should ask questions important to them and phone or email candidates wanting to represent them.  Given our consistently high turnout rates we are positioned to demand a platform and hold our representatives accountable at the ballot box.  Are we ready to chart a path?  Are we willing to encourage and inspire young leaders to step up?

To address this issue, the CCBC is hosting a meeting on Monday, September 21st from 6:00-7:30p.m. to finalize a Black Presidential Elections Platform, and invite the public to attend. The meeting will be held at the Las Vegas Golf Club and is a NON-Partisan event. More information is available on their website.
 
As reported by BBC News in August, Angela Rye, a political strategist and former executive director of the Congressional Black Caucus, said it best "Black folks shouldn't be beholden to the Democratic Party, they should be beholden to their interests…" (Anthony Zurcher, BBC News)

To review statistical data go to www.CCBlackCaucus.com

 
Yvette Williams is a community advocate and Chair/Founder of the Clark County Black Caucus, a non-partisan community organization driven 100% by volunteer members registered to vote.  Follow her Blog at www.YvetteBWilliams.com and on twitter @YvetteBWilliams or contact her at [email protected] for more information.

(A shorter version of this article is published in the Las Vegas Black Image Magazine)
As Nevada gears up for another election cycle, prepackaged talking points begin to fill the air. Many politicians began their careers on a message of equity in education for all students, only to come up short every two years in Carson City.  However, 2015 has proven to be a unique year.

Unexpectedly, under a Republican controlled legislature we’ve witnessed unprecedented education reform whereby all of America is now watching Nevada.  This is and should be a “work in progress.” The question remains… What will be our history? Unless we continue to move beyond the shackles of political partisanship, in the spirit of equality and justice for all Nevadans, we will fail our greatest asset… Our children.

Democratic Assemblyman Harvey Munford (the only Black legislator serving on a Legislative Education Committee this session) has authored a multicultural bill that requires the inclusion of ethnically diverse men and women in the State Curriculum, and requires cultural competency training of teachers; both of which were severely lacking. In a show of camaraderie, state legislators passed this bill adding much needed cultural diversity in the classroom.  This bill was originally introduced in 2005, Assemblyman Munford's first term in office.

It’s important to note that Clark County School District (CCSD) adopted this policy almost two years ago and it is well underway.  The Clark County Black Caucus (CCBC) collaboration with CCSD over the past five years has been essential to identifying the needs of Black students and subsequently establishing a CCBC education initiative the community would support.  Based on data provided by CCSD, the Black Caucus in February 2013, launched Operation32371.org and began building collaborations and partnerships by informing media, organizations, parents and students, community leaders, policy and lawmakers on the critical need and inequity of students in poverty.  Many organizations and community advocates joined in the effort to raise awareness and are listed on Operation32371.org website.

Over 32,371 African American students are on free and reduced lunch (FRL) and this subgroup reflects some of the highest proficiency gaps in literacy, math, and science.  Originally passed in 2013, ZOOM school funding ($100 million for school years 2015-17) only addressed literacy for schools with high English Language Learners (ELL) and did not address those native speaking students with high proficiency gaps on FRL. By exposing the terrible truth of inequity in education for Black children invisible under the cloak of free and reduced lunch (FRL), Nevada has taken the challenge head on to ensure a more equitable education for all children as required by the US Department of Education Civil Rights Guidelines.  Assembly Bill 107 requested by the CCBC and authored by the Interim Legislative Education Committee, chaired by Senator Joyce Woodhouse requires the reporting of student proficiencies by ethnicity, providing more transparency of proficiency gaps, and opportunity for all students to achieve.

The Victory Schools legislation (SB432) is a two year pilot program, therefore, future funding will depend on the success and ROI of this $50 million investment.  To fund this and other very important reforms essential to student success (not all I personally agree with) Governor Sandoval and Nevada’s State Legislature passed the highest business tax increase in Nevada history.  The Nevada Department of Education (DOE) has the resources to begin addressing the proficiency gaps of these students in poverty.  This program is not based on race and all schools receiving funds are located in zip codes with high poverty and highest proficiency gaps.  Funds are distributed to each school based on a per pupil enrollment allocated at approximately $1,125 per pupil.  CCSD is expected to receive over $29 million for schools in their jurisdiction.  For example, Matt Kelly ES will receive $353,000 per year, West Prep Academy will receive over $2 million per year, and Andre Agassi ES will receive $532,000 per year in additional funding.  For a complete list of schools and additional funding please visit www.CCBlackCaucus.com and click on the “Education” link. 

Each school administrator is tasked with conducting a needs assessment and data analysis of their school, submit a comprehensive plan for the 2015-2016 school year and CCSD must submit their plans to the DOE by August 15, 2015.  Administrators can select from a variety of additional resources, third party vendors, programs and incentives to achieve the State’s DOE goals that “students read at grade level, be prepared for rigorous curriculum and graduate from high school with the skills and attributes necessary to immediately succeed in college or a career.”  Focus areas for additional funding may include Pre-K or full day kindergarten, summer academy, additional instructional opportunities, professional development, incentives for hiring and retaining highly effective teachers, and reading skills centers. 

Additional use of funds may include: family engagement services, evidence-based social, psychological or health care services to pupils and their families, wrap-around services, programs to improve school climate, or other programs based on needs assessment of the school.  Recognizing it’s important, the coalition(what coalition) advocated for mandatory meetings to seek community input.  Parents should receive notification directly from their school.  The DOE will work with an independent evaluator to evaluate the effectiveness of programs and services provided at each school.  Ineffective schools will be subject to corrective action by the State Board of Education. Although Superintendent Dale Erquiaga has set the bar high with specific expectations from both the Governor's Office and the State Legislature, I believe Superintendent Pat Skorkowsky and his team at CCSD will rise to the challenge.

You will find updates on the implementation of Victory Schools and education bills supported by the Clark County Black Caucus website and follow future progress.  With proficiencies as low as 8% in math, 18% in reading, and 13% in science our current system is failing our students and we certainly can do better. The data shows with innovative strategies, real-time and monthly assessments, teacher strategies and accountability, students can achieve measurable improvements.  Our students are counting on us to be informed, engaged, and supportive. Check out all of the education bills passed this legislative session and what you can expect in the new school year. Dozens of bills will go to improve student achievement including, for the first time in Nevada, a literacy law that’s inclusive of ALL children and mandates that every school district ensure that every child read by the third grade.  Each child reading below grade level will receive an individual learning plan.

Now that these funds are available it is important that CCSD empower the Victory School Principals to provide an aggressive and innovative program for student achievement at the start of the new school year. Goals and benchmarks should be clearly established by CCSD Administration, and reflected in the school plan along with a built in tool to measure progress.

With less than one year before Nevada Legislators are looking for progress reports, during their interim legislative committee meetings, the district will need to rely on a "real time" monthly assessment of student progress that can drive teaching as well as provide monthly progress reports to identify successful benchmarks.  Currently Turnaround Schools are successfully using an assessment tool with great success and we anticipate most Principals will utilize this measurement tool for Victory Schools.  This tool provides "real time" data allowing the teacher and/or Principal to see each student's performance, and identify strengths and weaknesses.  Additionally, students utilize this tool online allowing them to take the assessment individually, and providing the teacher with an individual work plan that includes instructional materials.  It is a tool that actually drives instruction and in my opinion should be used in EVERY CCSD school, so that every child can achieve their highest potential, regardless of their zip code.

Although this was a big first step for Nevada it does not go far enough in my opinion.  For example, we need to change the way we fund education and use a weighted formula that follows the individual student.  This will require a larger discussion that will follow in future posts. It's time we stop TALKING about what's good for students and DO what's good for students.

Yvette Williams is a community advocate and Chair/Founder of the Clark County Black Caucus, a non-partisan community organization driven 100% by volunteer members registered to vote.  She is a regular contributor to The Las Vegas Black Image magazine and has published articles in several magazines. She is also a regular guest on several radio shows and public forums discussing public policy and politics.   Follow her on twitter @YvetteBWilliams and learn more about her work at [email protected].