CARSON CITY, Nev. – A College and Career Ready (CCR) High School Diploma recently created by Nevada’s Legislature signifies new and broader opportunities for future graduates.

“Nevada’s students have never had more career choices so it became abundantly clear that we need to ensure they are on the right track before they leave high school,” said Steve Canavero, Ph.D., Superintendent of Public Instruction. “This new diploma that was recently adopted by the State Board of Education is another key indicator that Nevada is on a path to becoming the fastest improving state in the nation.”

The new CCR High School Diploma is the result of Assembly Bill 7, passed by the 2017 Legislature. The Nevada State Board of Education and the Nevada Legislative Commission have approved regulations that prescribe the criteria for Nevada students to receive a CCR High school Diploma, that includes a college-ready endorsement that reflects students who have completed certain coursework or obtained experience that makes them qualified for and prepared to succeed in college without the need for remediation; and, a career-ready endorsement that reflects students who have completed certain coursework or obtained certain experience that makes them qualified for and prepared to succeed in post-secondary education or job training in high-demand occupations.

“To support this effort, Nevada was one of 10 states that received $2 million in a competitive New Skills for Youth grant from JPMorgan Chase to enhance this new CCR initiative,” Canavero said. “We must produce more students who are on a diploma or skill certificate pathway in order to support Nevada’s new economy.”
The Nevada Department of Education (NDE) Office of Career Readiness, Adult Learning and Education Options (CRALEO) worked with school districts, the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE), business and industry, and the governor’s offices of Workforce Innovation for a New Nevada (OWINN) and Economic Development (GOED) on the CCR Diploma framework.

“Students completing the CCR Diploma will be sending a clear signal to colleges and employers that they have the knowledge and skills to be ready for the next level,” said Jesse Welsh, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Professional Development for the Clark County School District. “CCSD is looking forward to students completing the CCR Diploma and the high level of rigor it represents”.

The New Skills for Youth initiative will help Nevada implement the new CCR Diploma. Recently approved regulations of the CCR initiative direct schools to strengthen career pathways and increase opportunities for work-based learning experiences so that every student can explore career opportunities, learn real-world skills; earn industry-recognized credentials and early college credits.

“The addition of the (CCR) Diploma is an important component of the workforce development initiatives of our state,” said Frank Woodbeck, Executive Director of Workforce Development at NSHE” “The academic and intellectual competencies indicated through this diploma are important to employers across our state and the nation.”