CHAPTER........

Section 1. NRS 385.110 is hereby amended to read as follows:

1. 385.110 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsections 2 and 3, the

required for promotion to the next grade or graduation from high school.

Sec. 2. NRS 385.150 is hereby amended to read as follows:

service of the state.

Sec. 3. NRS 385.230 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Sec. 4. NRS 386.550 is hereby amended to read as follows:

1. 386.550 A charter school shall:

school district in which the charter school is located.

Sec. 5. Chapter 389 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto the

provisions set forth as sections 6 to 13, inclusive, of this act.

Sec. 14. NRS 389.010 is hereby amended to read as follows:

1. 389.010 Except as otherwise provided in NRS 389.170 and 389.180,

Sec. 15. NRS 390.005 is hereby amended to read as follows:

1. 390.005 As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise:

years have elapsed since its removal from the adopted list.

Sec. 16. NRS 390.140 is hereby amended to read as follows:

1. 390.140 1. The state board shall make the final selection of all

by men and women from various racial and ethnic backgrounds.

Sec. 17. NRS 391.038 is hereby amended to read as follows:

1. 391.038 1. The state board, in consultation with educational

1. Accreditation of Teacher Education, and those which are not so accredited.
2. 5. If the state board denies or withdraws its approval of a course of

1. study or training, the educational institution is entitled to a hearing and

1. judicial review of the decision of the state board.

Sec. 18. Section 45 of chapter 473, Statutes of Nevada 1997, at page

1780, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Sec. 19. Section 64 of chapter 473, Statutes of Nevada 1997, at page

1788, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Sec. 20. Section 2 of Senate Bill No. 49 of this session is hereby

repealed.

Sec. 21. 1. The term of the president of the state board of education

or his designee on the council to establish academic standards for public

schools created pursuant to section 43 of chapter 473, Statutes of Nevada

1997, at page 1779, who is incumbent on June 30, 1999, expires on that

date.

2. The terms of all members appointed to the council to establish

academic standards for public schools created pursuant to section 43 of

chapter 473, Statutes of Nevada 1997, at page 1779, who are incumbent on

June 30, 1999, expire on that date.

3. Not later than July 1, 1999, appointments to the council to establish

academic standards for public schools pursuant to section 7 of this act must

be made as follows:

(a) Two members appointed by the governor must be appointed to terms

expiring on June 30, 2001.

(b) One member appointed by the majority leader of the senate and one

member appointed by the speaker of the assembly must be appointed to

terms expiring on June 30, 2002.

(c) One member appointed by the majority leader of the senate, one

member appointed by the speaker of the assembly and two
members appointed by the governor must be appointed to terms expiring on

June 30, 2003.

These appointments may include former members whose terms expired

pursuant to subsection 2.

Sec. 22. 1. On or before January 15, 2000, the council to establish

academic standards for public schools created pursuant to section 7 of this

act shall establish standards of content and performance, including, without

limitation, a prescription of the resulting level of achievement, based upon

the content of each course, that is expected of pupils for the following

courses of study:

1. (a) Social studies, which includes only the subjects of history,

1. geography, economics and government.

1. (c) Health and physical education.

1. (d) The arts.

1. 2. On or before January 15, 2000, the council shall submit written

1. recommendations to the state board of education on the type of

1. examinations of achievement and proficiency in social studies to be

1. administered statewide that may be used to measure the achievement and

1. proficiency of pupils in the standards of content and performance

1. recommendations must include the grades in which the examinations

1. should be administered.

1. 3. In developing the standards and examinations pursuant to section 8

1. of this act, the council shall:

(a) Hold at least eight meetings. The meetings must be held in at least

four different counties during the period commencing July 1, 1999, and

expiring June 30, 2001. At least four of these meetings must be held to hear

public testimony concerning the proposed standards of content and

performance and the examinations of achievement and proficiency.

1. (b) Consult with licensed educational personnel in the various school

1. districts and with other persons who have knowledge and experience

1. concerning standards of content and performance or examinations of

1. achievement and proficiency in education.

1. (c) Review and consider any standards of content and performance and

1. any examinations of achievement and proficiency:

1. (1) Adopted by this state;

1. (2) Adopted by the Commonwealth of Virginia or any other states;

1. (3) Adopted by the Federal Government; or

(4) Advocated in publications of entities, including, but not limited to,

the "Standards Primer: A Resource for Accelerating the Pace of Reform,"

published in 1996 by the Education Leaders Council.

4. The standards established by the council for:

(a) English, including reading, composition and writing;

(b) Mathematics; and

(c) Science,

must take effect in the public schools in this state commencing in the
1999-2000 school year.

5. The standards established by the council for:

(a) Social studies, which includes only the subjects of history,

geography, economics and government;

1. (b) Computer education and technology;

1. (c) Health and physical education; and

(d) The arts

,

must take effect in the public schools in this state commencing in the
2000-2001 school year.

6. The council shall, as soon as practicable, but not later than April 1,

2001:

(a) Submit to the governor, the senate standing committee on finance

and the assembly standing committee on ways and means, written reports

regarding the standards established by the council.

(b) Submit to the director of the legislative counsel bureau for

transmission to the 71st session of the Nevada Legislature any

recommendations for legislation that the council deems are necessary to

incorporate into the public schools the standards that it established.

7. The council shall, on or before June 30, 2001, report to the

legislative committee on education, regarding the standards and

examinations established by the council and adopted by the state board of

education.

Sec. 23. On or before February 28, 2000, the state board of education

shall adopt the standards of content and performance established by the

council to establish academic standards for public schools created pursuant

to section 7 of this act for the following courses of study:

1. Social studies, which includes only the subjects of history,

geography, economics and government.

2. Computer education and technology.

3. Health and physical education.

4. The arts.

The standards of content and performance must take effect commencing in

the 2000-2001 school year.

Sec. 24. 1. On or before December 1, 2000, the state board of

education shall, pursuant to the recommendations of the council to establish

academic standards for public schools, develop or purchase examinations

that measure the achievement and proficiency of pupils in grades 3 and 5

on the standards of content and performance established by the council for

English and mathematics. The examinations must be scored by a single

private entity or the department of education.

2. The examinations must be administered to all pupils who are

required to take the examinations commencing in the spring semester of

2001. In the first year that the examinations are administered, the results of

the examinations must be used solely to gather information and data

concerning the examinations.

Sec. 25. 1. On or before December 1, 2001, the state board of

education shall, pursuant to the recommendations of the council to establish

academic standards for public schools, develop or purchase examinations

that measure the achievement and proficiency of pupils in grades 3 and 5

on the standards of content and performance established by the council for

science and social studies. The examinations must be scored by a single

private entity or the department of education.

2. The examinations must be administered to all pupils who are

required to take the examinations commencing in the spring semester of

2002. In the first year that the examinations are administered, the results of

the examinations must be used solely to gather information and data

concerning the examinations.

1. Sec. 26. Commencing in the 2001-2002 school year, the high school

1. proficiency examination that, pursuant to NRS 389.015, pupils must pass to

1. receive a standard high school diploma must measure the performance of

1. pupils on the standards of content and performance in English, mathematics

1. and science established by the council to establish academic standards for

1. public schools created pursuant to section 7 of this act and adopted by the

1. state board of education. The high school proficiency examination that

1. measures the performance of pupils on those standards must first be

1. administered to pupils enrolled in grade 11 in the 2001-2002 school year,

1. who must pass the examination before the completion of grade 12 to

1. graduate with a standard high school diploma in the 2002-2003 school

1. year. Pupils who graduate from high school in the 2001-2002 school year

1. are not required to pass the examination that measures the performance of

1. pupils on the standards established by the council to establish academic

1. standards for public schools and adopted by the state board of education,

1. but must pass the examination that is administered to pupils in the

1. immediately preceding school year.

Sec. 27. As used in sections 27 to 37, inclusive, of this act, unless the

context otherwise requires, the words and terms defined in sections 28, 29

and 30 of this act have the meanings ascribed to them in those sections.

Sec. 28. "Eligible pupil" means a pupil who was classified as a senior

in high school during the 1998-1999 school year and who fulfilled the

requirements for a standard high school diploma except that the pupil did

not receive a passing score on the high school proficiency examination in

mathematics.

Sec. 29. "High school proficiency examination" means the

examination that is first administered to pupils before the completion of

grade 11 pursuant to NRS 389.015, which pupils must pass to receive a

standard high school diploma.

Sec. 30. "Passing score" means the scaled score of 61 set by the state

board of education pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection 2 of section 6 of

chapter 568, Statutes of Nevada 1997, at page 2772, for pupils to receive a

standard high school diploma in June 1999.

Sec. 31. 1. If a school district contains a public school in which an

eligible pupil was enrolled in the 1998-1999 school year, the school district

shall, during the summer months of 1999, provide remedial instruction in

mathematics.

2. The remedial instruction in mathematics required by subsection 1

must:

(a) Include an intensive program of instruction or tutoring in the basic

skills and principles of mathematics and in solving mathematical problems

that a pupil may have missed or been unable to master in the coursework he

completed in high school; and

(b) Provide instruction in mathematics at least at the level of proficiency

required for a pupil to receive a passing score on the high school

proficiency examination in mathematics.

3. A school district may approve additional programs of remedial

instruction or tutoring in mathematics offered by other organizations if the

programs meet the criteria set forth in subsection 2.

Sec. 32. In addition to the administration of the high school

proficiency examination scheduled in June 1999, the department of

education shall administer and score two additional high school proficiency

examinations in mathematics. One of the additional examinations must be

administered in July 1999, and the other additional examination must be

administered in August 1999. Only eligible pupils who participated in

remedial instruction pursuant to section 31 of this act may take the

additional examinations in July and August.

Sec. 33. 1. An eligible pupil may participate in the graduation

ceremony of his high school in 1999 and receive a certificate of attendance.

2. If an eligible pupil receives a passing score on the high school

proficiency examination that is regularly scheduled for June 1999, a

standard high school diploma must be awarded to the pupil to replace the

certificate of attendance.

3. If an eligible pupil participates in remedial instruction pursuant to

section 31 of this act, and subsequently receives a passing score on the high

school proficiency examination administered in July or August of 1999, a

standard high school diploma must be awarded to the pupil to replace the

certificate of attendance.

4. If an eligible pupil does not:

(a) Receive a passing score on the high school proficiency examination

in June 1999; and

(b) Participate in remedial instruction pursuant to section 31 of this act

and receive a passing score on one of the additional examinations

administered,

the pupil is not eligible to receive a standard high school diploma to replace

his certificate of attendance pursuant to sections 27 to 37, inclusive, of this

act.

Sec. 34. The provisions of sections 27 to 37, inclusive, of this act do

not preclude an eligible pupil from pursuing an adult high school diploma

or from continuing to retake the high school proficiency examination in

mathematics as a pupil enrolled in the adult high school diploma program.

Sec. 35. Each school district shall:

1. Review the coursework in mathematics taken by each pupil enrolled

in grade 11 who failed the high school proficiency examination in

mathematics in the 1998-1999 school year; and

2. Provide guidance to each pupil in the coursework and remedial

instruction necessary to assist the pupil in passing the high school

proficiency examination during the 1999-2000 school year.

Sec. 36. 1. The department of education shall establish a task force,

consisting of ten members, to conduct a study of the high school

proficiency examination in mathematics.

2. The superintendent of public instruction shall appoint the following

members to the task force:

(a) One director of testing of a school district;

(b) One teacher of mathematics in a public high school;

(c) One director of mathematics curriculum of a school district;

(d) One parent of a pupil enrolled in a public high school in this state;

(e) One representative of a private business or industry;

(f) One member of the council to establish academic standards for

public schools; and

(g) One member of the board of trustees of a school district.

3. The majority leader of the senate shall appoint one senator to the

task force.

4. The speaker of the assembly shall appoint one assemblyman to the

task force.

5. The board of regents of the University of Nevada shall appoint one

representative of the University and Community College System of Nevada

to the task force.

6. The task force shall elect a chairman from among its members.

7. The department of education shall provide:

(a) Administrative support to the task force; and

(b) All information that is necessary for the task force to carry out its

duties.

8. For each day or portion of a day during which a member of the task

force who is a legislator attends a meeting of the task force or is otherwise

engaged in the business of the task force, except during a regular or special

session of the legislature, he is entitled to receive the:

(a) Compensation provided for a majority of the members of the

legislature during the first 60 days of the preceding session;

(b) Per diem allowance provided for state officers and employees

generally; and

(c) Travel expenses provided pursuant to NRS 218.2207.

The compensation, per diem allowances and travel expenses of the

legislative members of the task force must be paid from the legislative fund.

9. A member of the task force who is not a legislator is entitled to

receive the per diem allowance and travel expenses provided for state

officers and employees generally for each day or portion of a day during

which he attends a meeting of the task force or is otherwise engaged in the

business of the task force.

Sec. 37. 1. The task force created pursuant to section 36 of this act

shall:

(a) Compare the content of the high school proficiency examination in

mathematics with the course of study and curriculum offered in the public

schools in this state; and

(b) Review the current methods of reporting the results of the high

school proficiency examination to school districts and to parents of pupils

to determine whether alternative methods of reporting would improve the

ability of school districts and parents to assist pupils in areas of deficiency.

2. Notwithstanding the provisions of NRS 389.017 to the contrary, the

superintendent of public instruction shall disclose to the task force the

questions and answers on all forms of the high school proficiency

examination in mathematics to the extent the disclosure is necessary for the

task force to carry out its duties. The disclosure must be made in a manner

that does not violate the confidentiality of the examination.

3. The provisions of chapter 241 of NRS do not apply to a meeting or a

portion of a meeting of the task force to the extent that it is necessary for

the task force to maintain the confidentiality of the high school proficiency

examination in mathematics.

4. The task force shall submit a report of its findings and any

recommendations to the state board of education and the legislative

committee on education on or before December 1, 1999.

Sec. 38. 1. There is hereby appropriated from the state general fund

to the department of education the sum of $48,000 for the:

(a) Cost of preparing, printing, mailing and scoring the high school

proficiency examination in mathematics for the two additional

administrations of the examination required by section 32 of this act;

(b) Payment of the per diem allowances and travel expenses for the

members of the task force to study the high school proficiency examination

in mathematics pursuant to subsection 9 of section 36 of this act;

(c) Payroll costs of employees of the department of education for any

overtime incurred for the administration of the two additional examinations

required by section 32 of this act;

(d) Expenses for printing and postage for providing information on

testing and practice tests to the school districts; and

(e) Payment of consulting services for a test vendor who has experience

in statewide testing and high school proficiency examinations to assist the

task force.

2. Any remaining balance of the appropriation made by subsection 1

must not be committed for expenditure after June 30, 2001, and reverts to

the state general fund as soon as all payments of money committed have

been made.

Sec. 39. 1. There is hereby appropriated from the state general fund

to the department of education the sum of $300,000 for allocation to the

school districts to provide remedial instruction in mathematics pursuant to

section 31 of this act.

2. To receive an allocation from the appropriation made by subsection

1, a school district must submit a written plan for providing remedial

instruction in mathematics that meets the requirements of section 31 of this

act. The written plan must include:

(a) The estimated number of pupils that will participate in the program

of remedial instruction;

(b) The curriculum that will be taught;

(c) A detailed schedule of the coursework included in the remedial

instruction;

(d) The sources from which the matching money that is required by this

section will be obtained; and

(e) A budget for the program.

3. The superintendent of public instruction shall, in consultation with

the budget division of the department of administration and the legislative

bureau of educational accountability and program evaluation, review each

written plan. A written plan must be approved by the superintendent of

public instruction before an allocation from the appropriation is made.

4. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the superintendent

of public instruction shall not make an allocation to a school district unless

the school district matches the allocation equally with other money

available to the school district. The superintendent of public instruction

may reduce the amount of matching money that a school district is

otherwise required to provide if the school district demonstrates that it is

unable to provide that sum of money.

5. A school district that receives an allocation pursuant to this section

shall use the money to pay the expenses of teachers and other personnel

hired during the summer of 1999 to provide remedial instruction in

mathematics and to pay for the purchase of related instructional materials.

6. A school district that receives an allocation pursuant to this section

shall not use the money to replace the money the school district would

otherwise spend for programs of remedial study.

7. Any remaining balance of the appropriation made by subsection 1

must not be committed for expenditure after June 30, 2000, and reverts to

the state general fund as soon as all payments of money committed have

been made.

Sec. 40. 1. There is hereby appropriated from the state general fund

to the interim finance committee the sum of $300,000 to carry out a

financial analysis model program in each school district that is designed to

track educational expenditures to individual schools.

2. Any remaining balance of the appropriation made by subsection 1

must not be committed for expenditure after June 30, 2001, and reverts to

the state general fund as soon as all payments of money committed have

been made.

Sec. 41. 1. This section and sections 19, 20 and 21 and 27 to 40,

inclusive, of this act become effective upon passage and approval.

2. Section 7 of this act becomes effective upon passage and approval

for the purpose of appointing members to the council to establish academic

standards for public schools and on July 1, 1999, for all other purposes.

3. Sections 1 to 6, inclusive, 8 to 18, inclusive, and 22 to 26, inclusive,

of this act become effective on July 1, 1999.

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