April 14, 2025

CARSON CITY, Nev. – The Nevada Department of Education has been awarded a federal grant to support local education agencies experiencing high chronic absenteeism rates.

The Department was awarded $231,234 through the Stronger Connections Technical Assistance and Capacity Building (SCTAC) grant program.

Funding will be used for a project that aims to reduce chronic absenteeism by a minimum of 15-20 percent over a three-year period.

The project will include professional development, training, mentorship programs, and strategic collaboration with key community partners.

“We have seen improvement in our state’s chronic absenteeism rate and that’s encouraging news,” said Dr. Steve Canavero, Interim Superintendent of Public Instruction. “However, we know that there’s work left to do to ensure that our students are in classrooms learning. This project will enable us to provide targeted support to schools and districts that are experiencing high absenteeism rates.”

Statewide, the chronic absenteeism rate increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students are considered chronically absent when they miss 10 percent or more of their school days.

Nevada’s chronic absenteeism rate was 25.9 percent during the 2023-24 school year – a 9-percentage point improvement compared with the previous year.

Last school year, 77 percent of schools lowered their chronic absenteeism rate. Additionally, 58 percent lowered their rate by at least 10 percentage points.

The project will reach the following local education agencies:

• Carson City School District

• Clark County District School District

• Elko County School District

• Humboldt County School District

• Lyon County School District

• Mineral County School District

• Nye County School District

• Storey County School District

• Washoe County School District

• State Public Charter School Authority schools prioritized by high chronic absenteeism rates

• Other local education agencies for statewide activities and professional development

Nevada Department of Education staff, in collaboration with the University of Nevada, Reno, will provide professional training and offer targeted guidance to local education agencies.

“We are excited to promote a systems approach based in data and local partnerships,” said Christy McGill, Deputy Superintendent for Educator Effectiveness and Family Engagement.

This initiative will enhance the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and integrate mental health strategies to create sustainable improvements to increase school attendance.

Nevada is among approximately 15 U.S. states that are participating in the 50 Percent Challenge - an initiative by Attendance Works, EdTrust, and Nat Malkus of AEI - to reduce chronic absenteeism by 50 percent over five years.

About the Nevada Department of Education

The Nevada Department of Education (NDE) leads and collaborates with Nevada’s 17 school districts and the State Public Charter School Authority to advance educational equity Statewide. With offices in Carson City and Las Vegas, NDE oversees all pre-K-12 education in the State, working to achieve its mission to improve student achievement and educator effectiveness by ensuring opportunities, facilitating learning, and promoting excellence. Under the leadership of the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, NDE impacts the achievement of nearly half a million children and 30,000 educators. Learn more at https://doe.nv.gov/ and join us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram.