2019 Legislation Passed with Significant Implications for Nevada

2019 Legislation Passed with Significant Implications for Nevada Schools Scott Hammond and Don Soifer Nevada Action for School Options August 2019

SB 543, Public School Funding Formula 1. Sec 4: Effective July 2021, new student-centered, weighted funding based on 4 categories of student characteristics: ELL, At-Risk, Special Needs, Gifted and Talented 2. Secs 5&6: Adjustments mean some additional funds, especially within Clark County. New block grant replaces various competitive funding programs, charters eligible for some of these 3. Sec 12: By Oct 1, each school must report publicly on changes to personnel and services offered 4. Sec 10: Commission on School Funding established Nevada Action for School Options 2

AB 289, Changes to “Read by Grade Three” 1. Sec 7: Eliminates automatic grade retention requirements with changes to promotion/retention decision making and implementation 2. Sec 6: New Requirements to regularly assess any areas of reading deficiency 3. Sec 11: Changes to how $$ are distributed Nevada Action for School Options 3

SB 551 & AB 458, Cannizzaro & Frierson, Opportunity Scholarship Funding 1. Opportunity Scholarships funded at $11. 5 M/ year 2. Program limited to current students/no new students? 3. 10% annual growth in program funding eliminated 4. Education Savings Accounts law eliminated Nevada Action for School Options 4

AB 462, Thompson, Changes to State Charter School Oversight 1. Sec 5: New and replicating applicants focus on offering improved access to communities with clearly-identified, acute educational needs, including learners at greater risk of dropping out 2. Sec 6: Be prepared for authorizer consultation with trustees of school board. Nevada Action for School Options 5

SB 451, Senate Ed Committee, Variable Charter Term Length Authorizers may renew charter schools to terms between 3 -10 years Nevada Action for School Options 6

AB 219, Torres, ELL Corrective Action Plan and Instruction 1. Sec 1: Reporting requirements and corrective action plan for schools with underperforming ELL populations 2. Sec 1. 4: New assessment tools, supports and options for ELL students 3. Sec 1. 2: Transfer options to different schools for ELL students in certain cases Nevada Action for School Options 7

AB 168, Torres, Restorative Justice Plans 1. Sec 3: Schools required to implement discipline plans based on cooperative restorative justice principles 2. Sec 7, 8: Bars certain exclusionary discipline for students at least ten years old 3. Sec 3. 3: NDE required to publish guidance including approved examples for schools, including professional development options and model plans. Nevada Action for School Options 8

AB 258, Thompson, Special Education Compliance 1. Sec 1: Authorizes parents of special needs students to appeal to NDE if they believe their school has not complied with IEP team decision 2. Sec 1: Requires NDE to take required action to remedy the failure to comply Nevada Action for School Options 9

SB 475, Senate Ed Committee, Teacher Evaluations 1. Other licensed personnel must be evaluated in similar manner to teachers 2. Changes student growth to 15% of evaluation 3. Class size ratios exceeding State Board recommendations must be considered Nevada Action for School Options 10

SB 89 Senate Ed Committee, Enhancing School Safety 1. Schools must designate a school safety specialist 2. Schools must report attendance and truancy data disaggregated for designated groups of students 3. Schools must develop a plan for evaluating and improving school climate 4. Schools may enter a contract with local school district for school police officers by March 15 for next school year; contracts must be for at least 3 years Nevada Action for School Options 11

SB 147, Senate Ed Committee, Support for Homeless and Foster Students 1. Schools must identify currently homeless students and students living in foster care 2. For these high school students, schools must review and adjust academic plan to maximize credit accrual and progress toward graduation 3. For these who are under-accredited 11 th & 12 th grade students, schools must modify program to accelerate progress toward diploma Nevada Action for School Options 12

AB 136, Frierson, Prevailing Wage Requirements Makes charter school construction and larger capital improvements (>$100 k) subject to prevailing wage requirements in many instances Nevada Action for School Options 13

SB 324, Dondero Loop, Teacher School Supplies Reimbursement 1. Teacher supply reimbursements up to $250 may be disbursed in different ways, including issuing payment cards 2. District must adopt disbursement/reimbursement policies Nevada Action for School Options 14

AB 342, Roberts, Military-Connected Students Any active-duty-connected student who transfers into school is immediately eligible to participate in any sport or interscholastic activity Nevada Action for School Options 15

AB 320, Dondero Loop, Placement in Rigorous Courses If student numbers and finances permit, schools must institute and place interested students into more rigorous courses in math, ELA, science or social studies Nevada Action for School Options 16

And These… SB 193, Woodhouse, Supports We the People program through Nevada Center for Civic Engagement SB 296, Hammond, Establishes reciprocal international agreements for teacher licensing SB 204, Spearman, Suicide prevention and outreach plans for students at greater risk SB 159, Woodhouse, Sun Exposure Protection AB 378, Hansen, Modifies School Crisis and Suicide Management Plans Nevada Action for School Options 17

Thank You! Scott Hammond and Don Soifer Nevada Action for School Options 241 West Charleston Boulevard, Suite 150 Las Vegas, NV 89102 Tel. 702. 202. 3573 don@nevadaaction. org, scott@nevadaaction. org Nevada Action for School Options 18