Education (Testing & Assessment) in Nevada

passed · Nevada · Assembly Jun 3, 2025

AB 391: Revises provisions governing annual reports of accountability of public schools. (BDR 34-1074)

AB 391 requires Nevada public school districts, charter school sponsors, and the State Board of Education to include new data in their annual accountability reports. Specifically, it mandates separate reporting on pupil achievement for two groups: students with 10+ absences in a school year, and students who received at least 4 consecutive weeks of core subject instruction from an unlicensed teacher. This information must be broken down by gender and other student characteristics, as required by the statewide accountability system. The bill amends existing law (NRS 385A.200) to add these reporting requirements without changing the core assessment framework.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics School Choice Teachers Testing & Assessment

signed · Nevada · Assembly Jun 6, 2025

AB 286: Provides for a pilot program to assess the competency of applicants for a license to teach through alternative assessment methods. (BDR 34-836)

AB 286 establishes a pilot program allowing prospective teachers in Nevada to bypass standard competency tests for initial teaching licenses by completing an alternative assessment pathway. The program, limited to 100 participants annually from Nevada higher education institutions, targets applicants holding provisional teaching licenses or substitute endorsements. Participants must complete 10 professional development sessions, receive mentorship, and achieve two consecutive "effective" teaching evaluations over 24 months to qualify for exemption. The pilot expires in 2029 and requires institutions to submit annual progress reports and a final implementation plan based on data collected.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment

in committee · Nevada · Senate Apr 12, 2025

SB 351: Revises provisions relating to the statewide system of accountability for public schools. (BDR 34-636)

SB 351 revises Nevada's school accountability system by requiring the state to weight academic progress more heavily for students who scored below the 75th percentile in their school on prior standardized tests. Specifically, it mandates that schools receive double credit for improvement in these students' scores when calculating annual performance ratings. This change affects all public schools in Nevada, particularly those with higher concentrations of struggling students, and aims to better reflect growth in student achievement. The bill modifies how school ratings are determined under NRS 385A.600, focusing on measurable progress rather than absolute scores.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment

in committee · Nevada · Assembly Apr 12, 2025

AB 210: Provides for the administration of certain examinations and assessments through remote means to pupils enrolled in a program of distance education. (BDR 34-794)

AB 210 permits Nevada school districts and charter schools offering distance education to administer required state exams (including criterion-referenced tests and college readiness assessments) remotely via secure digital platforms. The bill requires remote exams to match the content and timing of in-person exams, while mandating security procedures in existing district and state testing plans. It directly affects students enrolled in distance education programs by enabling remote testing access without altering exam content or standards. The law updates existing testing security protocols to cover remote administration, ensuring consistency for all students regardless of learning format.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment

in committee · Nevada · Assembly Apr 12, 2025

AB 24: Revises provisions governing competency-based education. (BDR 34-277)

AB 24 replaces Nevada’s temporary pilot program for competency-based education (CBE) with a permanent system. It allows school districts, charter schools, university schools for gifted pupils, and charter school committees to apply directly to the Department of Education for approval to implement CBE programs. Key provisions include requiring schools to develop public plans, demonstrate student proficiency through portfolios or task performance (not just seat time), and ensure compliance with graduation and assessment requirements. The bill directly affects schools seeking to adopt CBE, which lets students advance upon mastering skills rather than time spent in class.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics School Choice Testing & Assessment

in committee · Nevada · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 176: Revises provisions relating to education. (BDR S-45)

SB 176 creates a pilot program for students in Clark, Elko, Lyon, and White Pine County School Districts to cover the cost of certified nursing assistant (CNA) exam registration (up to $300 per student) for those completing career and technical education programs. Students must complete their CNA course, choose the exam over a standard assessment, meet prerequisites, and pass the exam to qualify. The program requires school districts to coordinate with the State Board of Nursing to manage funding, schedule exams, and track participation and outcomes. The state appropriates $148,800 to fund this initiative during the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 school years.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment

passed · Nevada · Assembly Jun 3, 2025

AB 386: Revises provisions relating to assessments administered to pupils to assess reading proficiency. (BDR S-828)

AB 386 authorizes the Washoe County School District to run a one-year pilot program (2025-2026) testing an alternative reading assessment for elementary students instead of the statewide test, directly affecting Washoe County pupils. The State Board must approve the alternative assessment if it is valid, reliable, and has a method to equate scores to the statewide test. If approved, the district receives a grant equal to the state’s savings from not administering the statewide test for those students. The district must report to the state education department and the Education Committee by August 2026 on the assessment details, score equivalency, and grant use.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment

signed · Nevada · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 52: Revises provisions relating to education. (BDR 34-273)

SB 52 updates school district reporting requirements for English learners and modifies grade retention policies. It requires school districts to track the percentage of English learners (including a new definition of "long-term English learner" as those classified for over 6 years) and report detailed data on their programs, teachers, and post-graduation outcomes. The bill also expands eligibility for grade 3 promotion exemptions by allowing students to demonstrate reading proficiency through a portfolio of work, rather than solely relying on standardized test scores. These changes directly affect school districts, English learners, and educators in Nevada’s public schools.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment

passed · Nevada · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 229: Revises provisions relating to education. (BDR 34-680)

SB 229 lowers the grade point average requirement for Nevada students to earn a high school diploma with a "State Seal of Financial Literacy" from 3.25 to 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. It expands the age range for required financial literacy instruction from grades 3-12 to include kindergarten through grade 12. The bill also revises how students demonstrate proficiency, allowing options like scoring 85% on a state assessment or completing approved career-technical exams instead of the previous ACT certificate requirement. These changes directly affect all Nevada public school students in grades K-12 and require school districts and charter schools to implement updated curriculum and professional development.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum Testing & Assessment

in committee · Nevada · Senate Apr 12, 2025

SB 224: Revises provisions relating to education. (BDR 34-72)

SB 224 creates a new pathway for converting chronically underperforming public schools into "Department charter schools." It requires schools rated in Nevada's lowest 5% for three consecutive years to convert to Department charter schools, managed by the state Department of Education rather than local districts. The bill establishes a dedicated funding account for these schools, mandates principals to develop detailed instructional models (including curriculum and assessment plans), and sets specific rules for student enrollment continuity, employee retention, and building use. It also modifies existing charter school laws to apply to Department charter schools while clarifying they are distinct from traditional charters. This directly affects failing schools, their students, and staff, with key changes focused on governance, funding, and operational transition.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum School Choice Testing & Assessment

All education bills