CARSONCITY, Nev. – The NevadaDepartment of Education celebrates the passage of several bills during the 81^st(2021) Legislative Session that will have long-term, positive impacts for Nevada’sstudents, educators, and families.

“This was a historic Session foreducation in Nevada, and we celebrate the great strides that Governor Sisolakand the Legislature have made in prioritizing equity and opportunity for ourstudents,” said Superintendent Ebert. “With bills that include a long-awaitedoverhaul of Nevada’s 54-year-old education funding formula and supports forsocial emotional learning, we are grateful for a number of initiatives that arecontinuing to move our education system forward."

Bills highlighted by the NevadaDepartment of Education include:

SenateBill 439 enacts Nevada’s new K-12 education funding formula, thePupil-Centered Funding Plan (PCFP). The PCFP is a brand-new approach to fundingK-12 education in Nevada that will replace the 54-year-old Nevada Plan. The PFCPprioritizes equity in the way funds are allocated for Nevada students, ensuringall students are provided with a base level of resources, with a greater levelof support available to students who need it.

AssemblyBill 67 increases student access torestorative justice practices in schools. Nevada’s shift to restorative practicesrecognizes ongoing efforts to create equitable systems where the norm isteaching positive behaviors, repairing relationships, and increasingaccountability through reversing harm. Restorative practices have shownpositive outcomes in decreasing the disproportionality of students of colorbeing suspended or expelled, which means they are spending more time inclassrooms learning.

SenateBill 215 requires district and charter schoolgoverning bodies to develop and present plans for distance education, as partof future-proofing our education system. District and charter schools must alsodevelop and implement a plan to make the necessary technology available forcertain pupils and school employees. The bill was sponsored by Senator MoDenis, Chair of the Senate Education Committee, and developed based on therecommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission for a Globally PreparedNevada.

SenateBill 173 authorizes school districts and theState Public Charter School Authority to submit summer school plans to theDepartment of Education that address learning loss due to COVID-19. Thesesummer school programs will support students most at risk for learning loss.

AssemblyBill 38 revises provisions relating to careerand technical education (CTE) and work-based learning. The bill reduces theburden on Nevada’s school districts and provides more flexibility for eachdistrict to engage stakeholders to implement and improve their CTE programs.

SenateBill 36 updates school emergencyresponse plans to crises, emergencies, and suicides. The bill adds at least onerepresentative of the District or County Board of Health to the school districtcommittee which develops the crises plan used by public schools. Additionally,in response to COVID-19, it expands the definition of an outbreak of disease toinclude an epidemic.

AssemblyBill 417 was brought forth by the NevadaDepartment of Education and revises provisions related to school buses thatwill result in improved safety for Nevada students. This bill provides thatschool bus inspections will be completed on an annual basis and adds languageregarding re-inspection of vehicles. 

Assembly Bill19 updates socialstudies subjects to include civics, financial literacy, and multiculturaleducation. It also maintains the standards adoption, process but removes therequirement of codifying standards in regulations to ensure a streamlinedadoption of updated standards.