• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Nevada Business Magazine

The Decision Maker's Magazine

Subscribe Now!

  • Subscriptions
    • Print
    • Mobile App
    • Email
  • Features
    • New This Month
    • View Issues
    • Cover Stories
    • Feature Stories
    • Industry Focus
    • Building Nevada
    • Special Reports
    • ReD Report
    • Press Release Wire
    • Nevada Industries
  • Departments
    • A Matter of Opinion
    • Around the State
    • Business Indicators
    • Commentary
    • Commercial RE Report
    • Crossfire
    • Expert Advice
    • Face to Face
    • Free Market Watch
    • Inside Politics
    • Power of Attorney
    • Profit & Loss
    • Speaking for Nevada
    • Tech.knowledge.me
    • The Last Word
    • Vital Signs
  • Planning Calendar
  • Advertising
    • Advertising Info
    • Advertising Staff
    • Submission Requirements
    • Online Advertising
  • Events
    • NBM Events
  • Contact
    • Contact the Staff
    • Contact Form
  • Connect
    • Business Directory
    • Press Release Wire
    • Business Calendar
    • Submit Listing
    • Post Press Release
    • Add Your Event
    • Sign Up
    • Log In
You are here: Home / Departments / Inside Politics / April 2005: Inside Politics

April 2005: Inside Politics

April 1, 2005 By Nevada Business Magazine Leave a Comment

It’s been eight years since the Nevada Legislature passed what was hailed as “historic” education reform legislation aimed at getting students better educated during their 12-year stay in public schools. And lawmakers in Carson City are still asking what can be done to make our schools better and turn our slow progress into real academic gains for students and the businesses who will employ them one day.

First, let’s consider the good news of the past eight years.

Nevada has a statewide code of academic standards to create consistency in the curriculum and ensure that all students are being taught all of the material as required.

Efforts to provide teachers the training and support they need to succeed in the classroom have gained some funding.

School districts have brought their curriculum and teacher training efforts in line with state standards and now the goals outlined in the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

Clark and Washoe counties have taken steps to go beyond the minimum standard, requiring students to take higher-level math as a condition of graduation.

At the same time, however, dropouts continue to be a problem as districts struggle to provide options for non-college bound students. And for those who do go on to college, a greater number are in need of remedial math and English courses to make them college ready.

Nevada lawmakers through the 1997 legislation put the pieces in place to provide a top quality education to students. Our state has set the standard and mandated everyone meet it. So what’s the problem?

Our state’s stalled progress in education reform is the result of our failure to reach a critical realization. Attempting a new approach in the same old structure and environment is a recipe for failure. If we are going to ask schools, teachers, students and parents to do more and do it better than before, we have to make some changes in how we operate our schools.

First, we must consider lengthening the school year. Visit www.doe.nv.gov and click on the Standards link. This will take you to the academic standards list for all students in grades kindergarten through 12 including English, math, science, arts, computer education, health, social studies, physical education and foreign language.

Take a few minutes and read through the standards. And then ask yourself how a teacher can properly cover all of this material in depth within the framework of a 180-day school year where the average school day is from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. While the school year should probably be lengthened by several weeks, even a few more days would result in higher achievement.

Second, we need to review the school calendar. While many of our schools have gone year-round to deal with overcrowding, there are academic benefits to be had from year-round schools. Though parents often resist the idea at first, many find that shorter breaks throughout the year result in better comprehension and retention than one long break during the summer.

Finally, we have to look at teachers. We must look at ways to get the best minds teaching in our classrooms and key among that is salary. What motivation does a mathematician have to teach when the private sector pays two or three times as much? The value our society places on the work you do is reflected in your paycheck. If we are going to continue to undervalue teachers, we’re going to continue to pay the price in less than desired outcomes.

There are many educators in our state doing an outstanding job under difficult circumstances, and the reforms begun eight years ago have resulted in change for the better. But for everyone to get to where we want to be, more drastic changes are needed. Hopefully, the Nevada Legislature is ready to take those daring steps.

Filed Under: Inside Politics

Sponsored Features

Sponsored Features

Nevada Medical Marijuana CardGet Benefits Now NuggMD

SNWA Water-Smart ProgramsHelp Businesses Reduce Operating Costs, Prepare for Shortage

MEET Las VegasA Meeting and Event Venue Unlike Any Other.

First Independent BankYour Prescriptions for Success

Advertise With Us

Advertise With Us. more details ►

Primary Sidebar

How About Now?Exit Planning

Industry FocusBuilders & Developers

The Return of Office 2019Nevada’s CRE Office Industry

Ready to WorkNevada Industry Excellence and an Opportunity-Driven Workforce

Nevada News & PR Wire

  • Nevada’s Safety Consultation and Training Section to dedicate April as Nevada Hispanic Safety Month

  • Nevada Housing Coalition to Host Inaugural Townhall Event in Reno on Wednesday, February 20

  • Nevada Rural Housing Authority Recognized as High Performer for 16 Consecutive Years by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

  • Nevada Rural Housing Authority Hires Lena Frias as its New Director of Rental Services

  • Aviant Hospice Named a Hospice Honors Recipient – One of three hospices in Nevada receiving the prestigious award

  • Craig W. Drummond awarded ‘Top Lawyer in Las Vegas’ by MyVegas Magazine

  • Leaders and Entrepreneurs Unite to Inspire and Invigorate

  • Linking Systems of Care for Children and Youth Project Premieres New Website

  • CALV presents Commercial Education Day on March 13

  • Mountain’s Edge Community Garage Sale to Be Held March 2

  • Cure 4 The Kids Foundation Promotes Joseph L. Lasky III, M.D. to Director of Bleeding and Clotting Disorders

  • De Castroverde Law Group sponsors the Boyd School of Law Immigration Clinic student’s participation in the 2019 Immigration Law Competition at NYU

  • Jewish Nevada Promotes Sarah Small to Director of Young Leadership Development

  • Jewish Nevada Promotes Megan Weintraub to Director of Annual Giving and Women’s Philanthropy

  • Community leaders selected to serve on NCET board

  • SR Construction Names Robert Schenck as Senior Estimator and Debuts New Reno Office

  • Reflection Bay Golf Club at Lake Las Vegas Hosts Valentine’s Day Weekend Events

  • Nevada REALTORS® President Keith Lynam speaks to international real estate group on Presidents’ Day

  • Nevada State College Hosts 2019 Provost Lecture Series for Social Analysis and Critical Thought

  • Henderson Chamber to present business networking mixer

  • PR Plus Partners with Three New Food & Beverage Industry Clients

  • MountainView Hospital Opens Level III NICU

  • Nevada State Bank names Nidhi “Nikki” Dadlani vice president and professional banking relationship manager

  • Licensing, certification for business owners the topic of workshop

  • RE/MAX Realty Affiliates Welcomes the Joshua Fink Group

  • Foundation Assisting Seniors Holds Annual Appreciation Dinner

  • Aberlewest to host $35 headshot event March 16

  • Divine Café at Springs Preserve Hosts Mediterranean Cooking Night

  • TuffSkin adds Rick Worman to Las Vegas sales and marketing team

  • Protective Surface, TuffSkin celebrates Mardi Gras at Infinite Trend

  • Max Pawn Offers 5 Tips for Purchasing Secondhand Items

  • Valentine’s Day shopping can be daunting, expensive: Tips to find gifts

  • At Max Pawn’s Valentine’s Day Doggie Date February 13, you can say, “I woof you, too.”

  • TMC Financing facilitates expansion of Hwang Law Group utilizing SBA 504 Loan

  • Bok Bok Chicken expands to the southwest with the opening of third location

  • RSAR Releases January 2019 Existing Home Sales Report

  • Ferrari Public Affairs Hires Key Personnel to Meet Client Demand

  • Henderson Mayor Debra March Receives Secretary of State Opinion on Re-Election Bid

  • Nevada State Bank hires Susan Stanton as human resources manager

  • Tielemans Design Creates 100th Anniversary Logo for Zion National Park

  • OptumCare Community Center – East offers new and ongoing events for March

  • OptumCare Community Center – West offers new and ongoing events for March

  • Northcap Commercial Multifamily Arranges Sale of Valley Vista Apartments for $3,308,000

  • RE/MAX Realty Affiliates Welcomes James Bull to The Lessinger Team

  • Las Vegas Based TRU Development Announces Pre-Leasing for KAKTUSlife

  • Big Whiskey’s American Restaurant & Bar to make western debut at Town Square Las Vegas

  • Southern Nevada home prices bounce back to $300,000

  • Pets of the Homeless now accepting cryptocurrency donations

  • Governor honors NCEDSV executive director, Sue Meuschke, for 30 years’ service to victims of domestic, sexual violence

  • Vision Sign and Sensory Interactive Create Dramatic LED Feature at Caesars Bluewaters Dubai

  • The Juice Standard Expands Their Menu Beyond Pressed Juices: Las Vegas’ First Cold Pressed Juice Bar Brings an Array of Smoothie Bowls and Signature Juice Fasts to Las Vegas and Henderson

  • Roseman University of Health Sciences Appoints Nevada State Bank’s Rita Vaswani, as Chairman of the University’s Campaign for the College of Medicine

  • Clark County Medical Society Alliance Hosts 18th Annual Spring Fashion Show, March 19

  • Ruth Furman invites business owners to interactive workshop on self-promotion

  • YurView premieres eight-week auto centric series with car club cruise along the Las Vegas Strip

  • Pisanelli Bice Welcomes Jordan Smith as Of Counsel

  • Northern Nevada Medical Center Breaks Ground on Freestanding Emergency Department in Northwest Reno to Serve Community

  • NAIOP Southern Nevada presents “The Future in Billions” at February breakfast

  • Chelsey Brice Joins Estipona Group as Account Executive

  • Great Basin Orthopaedics Offers New Personalized Options for Hip Replacement Patients

  • KPS3 announces Jenna Hubert promoted to creative director

  • Goodwill Southern Nevada Announces Staff Promotions

  • Las Vegas Based TRU Development Shares 2018 Contributions

  • Foundation Assisting Seniors Announces Inaugural Gala

  • 28 Libraries in Southern Nevada Now Safe Place Sites for Homeless Youth — Youth Mobile Crisis Intervention Program operated by Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth —

  • Sierra Integrated Systems Offers Remote Systems Monitoring Service for Computer Networks and Key Devices in the Reno-Tahoe Region

  • Reno startup, Financially Fit Employees™ (FFE)™ revolutionizes employee financial wellness

  • Western Elite Promotes Trenton Busby to Chief Operating Officer

  • Protective Surface, Tuffskin, to Showcase During Winter Las Vegas Market Jan. 27-31

  • NCJFCJ Announces a Record $12.9 Million in Awards in 2018 to Improve Outcomes for Children and Families

  • Nevada State College Announces Selection for General Counsel

  • MassMedia Announces Partnership with New Financial Services Client

  • New Southwest Las Vegas $28 Million Industrial Project Underway and Close to Raiders Stadium and Las Vegas Strip

  • Dwayne Eshenbaugh, AIA Installed as 2019 President, AIA Las Vegas

  • A Happy 2018 for Commercial Real Estate

  • Nevada’s Safety Consultation and Training Section Awards Ocean Spray with Prestigious Safety Honor

  • $100 Off Right Lawyers Consult Fee

  • The Regional Air Service Corporation Announces New Managing Director Carl Ribaudo

  • Portnoy Gallery Unveils 2019 “Portnoyed” Wall of Honor Inductees

  • Mercato Della Pescheria Inside the Venetian Las Vegas Installs a One-Of-A-Kind Josper Oven To Maximize Flavor

  • The Clark County Bar Association Names Sarah Thornton Volunteer of the Year for 2018

  • Naqvi Injury Law Welcomes New Attorney

  • RE/MAX Realty Affiliates Agent Sam Olson to Speak at RE/MAX R4 Convention

  • TheOfficeSquad named one of the “Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America” by Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2018 Entrepreneuer360 List

  • World’s Highest Performing Organ Procurement Organization Celebrates Sixth Record-Breaking Year

  • Nevada REALTORS® announce Leadership Academy Class of 2019

  • Ruth Furman discusses how to keep content from becoming chaos Jan. 23

  • NAIOP Southern Nevada announces newly elected 2019 officers and directors

  • Amy Keith Lessinger, RE/MAX Realty Affiliates Owner, Appointed to Serve on EDAWN Executive Board

  • National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges Releases Enhanced Juvenile Justice Guidelines

  • Colliers International – Las Vegas Welcomes Jennifer Lehr as Senior Associate

  • REMSA Trains and Graduates 16 Paramedics

  • RSAR Releases 2018 Fourth Quarter/December Existing Home Sales Report

  • Project 150 hosting discounted dress sale to support students

  • Dr. Timothy Dooley Joins Great Basin Orthopaedics

  • Drummond Law Firm in Las Vegas Awards $1,000 Scholarship

  • National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges Named Honorable Mention Recipient in Prestigious PR Daily Nonprofit Awards for Annual Report

  • New Year, New Reasons To Love Tivoli Village

  • NAIOP Southern Nevada presents “Past Presidents Panel” at January breakfast

  • Northcap Commercial Multifamily Arranges Sale of Summit Estates Apartments for $1,115,000



 
Submit Your News & PR
Submit Your News & PR

Business Connection

Business Connection Portal

Log In Sign Up

Business Connection Portal

Log In Sign Up

Nevada Business Calendar

  • BREATHE! Health and Wealth Summit & Expo
    February 19, 2019 12:00 am

    Location: 4505 S Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA

    More details...
  • HBRC Seminar Room (in the Wells Fargo Building)
    February 21, 2019 7:30 am

    Location: 112 S Water St, Henderson, NV 89015, USA

    More details...
  • Henderson Chamber to present business networking mixer
    February 28, 2019 5:00 pm

    Location: Strathmill Ave, Henderson, NV 89044, USA

    More details...
View Full Calendar ►

Nevada Business Directory

Featured Businesses
Find a Nevada-Based Business Submit Your Business

Nevada Industries

Architects & Engineers
Arts & Culture
Banking
Commercial Real Estate
Construction
Credit Unions
Economic Development
Education
Financial Management
Healthcare
Human Resources
Insurance
Law
Manufacturing
Marketing
Media
Mining
Philanthropy
Residential Real Estate
Rural Nevada
Sports
Tax Planning and Accounting
Technology
Telecom
Tourism
Transportation

Footer

Subscriptions

  • Print Subscription
  • Mobile App
  • E-mail Subscription

Editorial

  • Features
  • Departments
  • Events

Advertising

  • Advertise
  • Submission Requirements

Connect

  • Contact
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2019, Business Link LLC dba Nevada Business Magazine and Nevada Business Journal. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions
Nevada Web Design services by Nevada Central Media using Genesis Framework by StudioPress