Nevada applying to opt out of No Child Left Behind

Nevada wants out of the No Child Left Behind law and will be applying for its waiver on Feb. 21, according to Nevada Superintendent of Public Instruction Keith Rheault.

Another 27 states also plan to apply by the late deadline, leaving 11 states uncommitted, he said.

While some states have said the transition would be too costly because of the requirements, Rheault said that won’t be the case for Nevada. The extra cost is next to nothing.

“We’re already moving down that path anyway,” he said.

A state must have common standards for all its schools, meaning a unified definition of the knowledge and skills students should master at each grade level. Check. Nevada adopted the Common Core Standards in 2010. All but six states have done the same.

Students across a state must take the same assessment tests. Check. Nevada students annually take criterion referenced tests.

Teachers must be evaluated under a standardized system. Nevada is working on that. In late September, Gov. Brian Sandoval created the Teachers and Leaders Council to develop that system.

The biggest piece of all is how schools and districts as a whole will be held accountable. Nevada wants to use its recently created growth model. The Nevada Growth Model would weigh student growth more heavily than meeting grade-level expectations on annual tests. Testing proficient is a primary scoring factor of No Child Left Behind, which doesn’t credit students or schools with academic growth that may fall short of proficiency.

Contact reporter Trevon Milliard at tmilliard@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0279.

Trending topics:

• No Child Left Behind
• education

Comments

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1. Big Julie Feb. 10, 2012 | 11:19 p.m. Report Abuse

   So if a MAJORITY of our states wanted to reinstate slavery we should do that also?
   Just wanted to clarify that majority rules thingus.
   Seems to be a convient argument to be used and abused by all sides.
   I feel for the poor oxen getting gored every which way.
   Won't someone think of the Ox?

2. American values Feb. 10, 2012 | 5:30 p.m. Report Abuse

   @Viking 1 - getting back to the Constitution is exactly what I mean. Freedom, real freedom. Not big brother government intrusion upon EVERYTHING you do, or make, or sell, ... name one activity that isn't regulated in some way. Over-regulated in most cases... Name one product, service or activity that isn't regulated in some way, name anything that isn't controlled, taxed or regulated. The monster is hungry and it takes OUR money to feed it's appetite...then it does what it will - to it's own benefit. ....and it does so without real authority... so yes - read the Constitution and let's get back to the small "limited" government and move the behemoth agencies out - and what needs done can be done at the state level - and be done MUCH BETTER.
   
   What do you think made this country great? It wasn't intrusion, regulation, or taxation. When you tax something - you get less of it, when you over-regulate something you get less of it, ...taxes, regulation and intervention in every aspect of our lives... yep - read the Constitution.
   
   People - Vote RIGHT - Vote to RESTORE AMERICA...

3. Jon.Lewis Feb. 10, 2012 | 4:33 p.m. Report Abuse

   If we dumb down the students far enough, we can perpetually elect Democrats like Zero and Rusty Reid.

4. Peter Griffin Feb. 10, 2012 | 2:59 p.m. Report Abuse

   @VIKING... we were still calling LEFTIES witches in the Civil War lol ;-)

5. Viking1 Feb. 10, 2012 | 2:49 p.m. Report Abuse

   American values. Just what do you mean by traditional American values? Are they the values we had in the 50's? How about the 1850's when we had slavery? How about the 1600's when we hung witches and weighted warlocks? Which values are you talking about? The only thing I agree with you is the fact of voting right, or should I say properly. Because right now there isn't a republican that I could vote for. As far as I'm concerned the republican party should be outlawed in America. Unfortunately, that isn't our way. But just listening to you, YOU would outlaw political parties in the US. That's what the new republican party is all about. They believe in their way and their way only. Never mind anybody else. It's their way or the highway. Well I'm sorry to tell you this, but that's NOT America. Just maybe it's time for you to go back to school and learn what the Constitution says instead of what YOU want it to say.

6. Viking1 Feb. 10, 2012 | 2:34 p.m. Report Abuse

   It's about time. The two WORST peices of legislation I've ever seen are NCLB and the Patriot act. By the way American values. By reading your blog, I can tell just how little you truly know about education.

7. Peter Griffin Feb. 10, 2012 | 2:17 p.m. Report Abuse

   @AMERICANVALUES we voted RIGHT and Dubya gave us No Child Left Behind. 47 states in the union want out of it. Donot assume NEVADA is trying to make things easier on students...IT IS NOT. DO NOT ASSUME this is a Socialist Obama thing either. Standards are the same, the method of reading and scoring are the same. The ONLY thing different is schools are not judged ONLY on test scores anymore. Similar to Obamacare, if 47 states want it out... what would you say then??? That is what I thought

8. American values Feb. 10, 2012 | 2:12 p.m. Report Abuse

   This state is pathetic.... last or next to last in education, ..and now they want to "opt-out" of measurement standards.... and obummer is the one pushing it and allowing it... sure the leftist and other radicals scream about education this and that - but when it comes to measuring progress of teachers and schools - oh they can "opt-out". Well you know what can YOU "opt-out" of the Smart Meter installation? Can YOU "opt out" of anything?
   
   Vote them ALL OUT - from city Hall to the halls of Congress.
   
   We need people in office that have American Values, Principles & Traditions - the type that made US the strongest, bravest, most Prosperous nation the world has ever seen. WE need to Vote RIGHT - or LOSE IT...as we know it.

9. Peter Griffin Feb. 10, 2012 | 2:04 p.m. Report Abuse

   @TANKER 100% right again ;-) Under NCLB 37 of 44 High School failed. Under the new evaluation system students STILL have to make the grade. Data is just looked at differently

10. TankerUSMA1975 Feb. 10, 2012 | 1:53 p.m. Report Abuse

    All the opt out changes is how schools are evaluated. Under No Child Left Behind, a school could pass everything except one subgroup such as special ed math, and the school would rated as failing. The opt out allows a different measure of reflecting how a school does. This opt out DOES NOT change the graduation requirements. Students will still be required to pass all parts of the High School Proficiency Test and have the correct number of credits to graduate.

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