Public schools in Nevada have shown improvement in student attendance and proficiency rates for the 2023-2024 school year, according to data released by the Nevada Department of Education (NDE). While there has been progress in math and English Language Arts proficiency rates among third- through eighth-grade students, the rates still fall short of pre-pandemic levels.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jhone Ebert acknowledged the positive direction but highlighted the need for continued efforts. She attributed the progress to investments in K-12 education, such as providing professional development opportunities for reading instruction and personalized learning initiatives for students.
Chronic absenteeism rates across the state decreased by 9 percentage points, with about 60% of schools lowering their rates by at least 10 percentage points. Schools have been actively engaging with students and families through home visits and tracking efforts to reduce absenteeism. While progress has been made, the chronic absenteeism rate remains higher than before the pandemic.
In terms of student achievement, Nevada schools saw improvements in math proficiency for grades third through eighth, with about a third of students demonstrating proficiency. English Language Arts proficiency also saw a slight uptick, but both rates continue to lag behind pre-pandemic levels. Schools in Clark County performed below the state average in both math and English proficiency.
Despite the overall improvements, the data indicates that there is still work to be done to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels. Efforts are being made to address the need for more math teachers and increased student engagement to enhance proficiency rates.
While the state is implementing strategies to enhance K-12 education, Superintendent Ebert emphasized that it will take time to see the impact of recent investments. Specific resources are being directed towards schools in need, but it may take a couple of years to observe significant shifts in the data.
Overall, the data from the 2023-2024 school year shows promising progress in reducing chronic absenteeism and improving student proficiency rates in Nevada schools. Continued efforts and investments in education are crucial to further enhance student achievement and ensure a successful learning environment for all students.