Vol. 2, No. 21
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September 1, 2005
Nevada's Online State News Journal
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CRIMINAL DEFENSE |
COPYWRITING
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Feature Story:
Nevada's Education Picture Murky At Best: Secondary And Higher Education Fail
Problem Must Be Much Deeper Than Lack Of Funds; Closed Minds At The Top Blamed By Some
by Johnny Gunn
The future lives of thousands of Nevada's children are at stake according to many looking into Nevada's education quagmire. The state's economy is at risk, as well they say because uneducated children do not make for a strong, stable, workforce. With far more administrators than some say are needed, with state funding at a very low level, and with the state's major industry not particularly interested in a well-educated work force, it's no wonder students from the Silver State don't compete well in the job market.
Labor activist Andy Barbano of Reno says, "Organized labor has always been in the forefront of training." He particularly mentions the Culinary Union's large training facility in southern Nevada and "building trades apprenticeship programs.
"The gambling industry is another story." Barbano continues, "Education gets lip service from many of our major employers, but that old attitude still prevails with many." He was referring to the fact the casino industry "isn't interested in economic diversification because they didn't want competition for the low-wage labor pool." Barbano said he feels the industry prefers an undereducated labor base.
(Ed. note: for more on how an uneducated labor base can be built upon, see this issue's opinion piece.)
In past writing, Barbano has said, "At the university level, insecure casino owners buy legitimacy and jockocracy from higher education but really don't have much interest in what the schools produce unless it ups the slot drop."
Economic Development Authorities across the state are vying with major corporations to bring more diversified industries to Nevada, and several recent surveys have indicated that one of the problems with getting high tech companies to commit to Nevada is the education system. Well-educated workers are in demand, and they are not available in numbers in many communities in the Silver State. Is it just a lack of money that is causing this potential catastrophe in education?
Not everyone agrees. A report issued recently by a national nonprofit research group says that Nevada's near-bottom national rankings can be corrected. They call for a seven-step plan of action and not one of those steps includes massive infusions of money or increases in administration. (See the report in pdf file here.)
The report was issued by WestEd, a national nonprofit research, development, and service agency. It details the reasons behind the current standing of Nevada's education system. These figures can't be blamed only on money:
- Nevada ranks 47th in the nation for high school graduation rates
- Nevada ranks 47th in the nation in per-pupil operational funding
- Nevada ranks 50th in the nation for high school graduates age 25-29 who have completed a bachelor's degree or higher
- Nevada ranks 47th in the nation for young adults who have enrolled in or completed college.
Jim Hagar, co-director of the Center for Education Policy Studies (CEPS) at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) says, "It's difficult to entice new business development when we can't offer corporations a highly educated workforce." CEPS is a research center of UNLV designed to address important education policy issues that contribute to the improvement of schools in Nevada.
Hagar says, "There's a clear and unfortunate link between low paying jobs, a service and tourism based economy, and our low graduation rates." He said that nearly 60 percent of Nevada's jobs pay less than a living wage for a three-person family and points out that Las Vegas workers rank last in the level of education among all major U.S. metropolitan areas.
The WestEd report makes seven recommendations for Nevada's education process. Keith Rheault, Superintendent of Public Instruction at the Nevada Department of Education said following issuance of the report, "It's no longer a question of not knowing what to do. We can turn our schools around with hard work and determination, and I think Nevada is ready to accept the challenge."
The Seven Steps
- Make education a state priority
- Prepare teachers better, especially for teaching English language learners
- Use timely student data to make teaching and program improvements
- Implement research-based strategies to reduce achievement gaps
- Create a statewide plan specifically for high schools
- Increase access to quality infant/toddler daycare and preschool education
- Provide schools and teachers with more financial resources and support
The federal education department issued reports recently that indicated nine-year-olds were reading better at the national level than ever before. And in Nevada, although a little less, students in that age group were also doing well. By the time students get to high school, their reading abilities have not advanced for 30 years. Is there any more reason to implement specific lines of study for high school students? Is this part of the reason for very low graduation rates? Is this why fewer and fewer go on to higher education? One grammar school teacher said, "They either can't read at the high school level or they are unable to comprehend at the high school level."
Nevada continues to rank at on near the bottom in state-by-state comparisons according to the WestEd report. The report says student achievement in reading and math are among the lowest in the nation. "Nevada's poor marks largely stem from the state's population boom, particularly in Clark and Washoe Counties," says Paul Koehler, director of WestEd's Policy Center. "Teachers face additional challenges from immigrant students who struggle to learn English at the same time they must learn math and science content."
Nevada Congressman Jim Gibbons (R) and U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings have announced a grant of $2.5 million of No Child Left Behind Act funds to Nevada's education system and the Charter Schools Program. Gibbons said the funding will support the state's efforts to provide more educational options to parents through charter schools.
"Charter schools provide great educational opportunities and very challenging experiences," Gibbons said. There are 21 charter schools currently in Nevada providing an education to about 4500 students.
The Nevada Department of Education defines charter schools as "independent public schools designed and operated by parents, educators, community leaders, education entrepreneurs, and others with a contract or charter from a public agency."
Secretary Spellings said, "No child should be trapped in a school that is not meeting his or her needs. Public charter schools are a vital and viable alternative for nearly one million students in America."
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