Senate Bill No. 191–Committee on Finance

 

(On Behalf of the Legislative Committee on
Education (NRS 218.5352))

 

February 21, 2003

____________

 

Referred to Committee on Finance

 

SUMMARY—Makes various changes governing education to facilitate implementation of federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. (BDR 34‑635)

 

FISCAL NOTE:  Effect on Local Government: Yes.

                           Effect on the State: Contains Appropriation not included in Executive Budget.

 

~

 

EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.

Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).

 

AN ACT relating to education; requiring the State Board of Education to define the measurement for determining whether this state, each school district and each public school has made adequate yearly progress in accordance with the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001; requiring the State Board to prepare an annual report of accountability; requiring the State Board, each school district and each public school to develop a plan to improve the achievement of pupils; revising provisions governing the designations of public schools; requiring the Department of Education to designate school districts based upon the achievement of pupils enrolled in the school district; prescribing the consequences for public schools and school districts that are designated as demonstrating need for improvement; revising provisions governing accountability and reporting; revising provisions governing the examinations that are administered to pupils in public schools; establishing a license to teach middle school or junior high school education; revising provisions governing the qualifications of certain teachers who provide instruction


in a junior high school or middle school; requiring certification of certain paraprofessionals employed by school districts and charter schools; requiring the Central Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History to investigate the criminal history of an applicant for certification as a paraprofessional; revising provisions governing the regional training programs for the professional development of teachers and administrators and the Statewide Council for the Coordination of the Regional Training Programs; making appropriations; revising various other provisions governing education to comply with the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001; providing a penalty; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

 

    Whereas, In 1997, the Nevada Legislature adopted the Nevada Education Reform Act which set forth a sound structure of accountability for the public schools in the State of Nevada; and

    Whereas, Since the enactment of the Nevada Education Reform Act of 1997, this state has implemented sweeping reforms to its system of public education, including, without limitation, the adoption of rigorous academic standards of content and performance that demand a high level of quality and performance by pupils and the provision of professional development for teachers and administrators to help pupils meet the challenging new standards; and

    Whereas, On January 8, 2002, the President of the United States signed into law the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, which contained sweeping changes to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; and

    Whereas, The No Child Left Behind Act requires each state to have a single, statewide system of accountability applicable to all pupils, challenging academic content standards and periodic examinations on those challenging academic standards so that all children, including, without limitation, children with disabilities, children who are limited English proficient, children who are economically disadvantaged and children from major racial and ethnic groups will meet or exceed, not later than 2014, the minimum level of proficiency on the examinations; and

    Whereas, Although certain provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act pertain only to those school districts and public schools, including, without limitation, charter schools, receiving money pursuant to that federal law, the Nevada Legislature acknowledges that by applying some of those provisions statewide to all school districts and all public schools, including, without limitation, charter


schools, Nevada’s system of accountability will be further strengthened; and

    Whereas, While the Nevada Education Reform Act of 1997 made a significant contribution toward accomplishing the system of accountability required by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, the Nevada Legislature recognizes that there is a need for further reform to ensure that the State of Nevada fully complies with the No Child Left Behind Act; and

    Whereas, The Nevada Education Reform Act of 1997 provides a sound cornerstone from which to launch a new era of accountability in this state; now, therefore,

 

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN

SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

 

1-1  Section 1. Chapter 385 of NRS is hereby amended by adding

1-2  thereto the provisions set forth as sections 2 to 37, inclusive, of this

1-3  act.

1-4  Sec. 2.  “Title I school” means a public school that receives

1-5  money pursuant to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, 20

1-6  U.S.C. §§ 6301 et seq., and is obligated to comply with the

1-7  provisions of that federal law.

1-8  Sec. 3.  “Title I school district” means a school district that

1-9  receives money pursuant to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001,

1-10  20 U.S.C. §§ 6301 et seq., and is obligated to comply with the

1-11  provisions of that federal law.

1-12      Sec. 4.  1.  The State Board shall define the measurement

1-13  for determining whether each public school, each school district

1-14  and this state are making adequate yearly progress. The definition

1-15  of adequate yearly progress must:

1-16      (a) Comply with 20 U.S.C. § 6311(b)(2) and the regulations

1-17  adopted pursuant thereto;

1-18      (b) Be designed to ensure that all pupils, including, without

1-19  limitation, the pupils in each subgroup identified in paragraph (d),

1-20  will meet or exceed the minimum level of proficiency set by the

1-21  State Board;

1-22      (c) Except as otherwise provided in subsections 2 and 3, be

1-23  based primarily upon the measurement of the progress of pupils

1-24  on the examinations administered pursuant to NRS 389.015 and

1-25  389.550;

1-26      (d) Include annual measurable objectives established pursuant

1-27  to 20 U.S.C. § 6311(b)(2)(G) and the regulations adopted pursuant

1-28  thereto, including, without limitation, separate annual measurable

1-29  objectives for each of the following subgroups of pupils:


2-1       (1) Pupils who are economically disadvantaged, as defined

2-2  by the State Board;

2-3       (2) Pupils from major racial and ethnic groups, as defined

2-4  by the State Board;

2-5       (3) Pupils with disabilities; and

2-6       (4) Pupils who are limited English proficient;

2-7  (e) For high schools, include the rate of graduation; and

2-8  (f) For elementary schools, junior high schools and middle

2-9  schools, include the rate of attendance.

2-10      2.  The examination in writing administered to pupils in grade

2-11  4 must not be included in the definition of adequate yearly

2-12  progress.

2-13      3.  The examination in science must not be included in the

2-14  definition of adequate yearly progress.

2-15      Sec. 5.  1.  The State Board shall adopt regulations that

2-16  prescribe, consistent with 20 U.S.C. §§ 6301 et seq. and the

2-17  regulations adopted pursuant thereto, the manner in which pupils

2-18  enrolled in:

2-19      (a) A program of distance education pursuant to NRS 388.820

2-20  to 388.874, inclusive;

2-21      (b) An alternative program for the education of pupils at risk

2-22  of dropping out of high school; or

2-23      (c) A program of education that:

2-24          (1) Primarily serves pupils with disabilities; or

2-25          (2) Is operated within a:

2-26              (I) Youth training center;

2-27              (II) Youth center;

2-28              (III) Juvenile forestry camp;

2-29              (IV) Detention home;

2-30              (V) Youth camp;

2-31              (VI) Juvenile correctional institution; or

2-32              (VII) Correctional institution,

2-33  will be included within the statewide system of accountability set

2-34  forth in sections 2 to 37, inclusive, of this act.

2-35      2.  The regulations adopted pursuant to subsection 1 must

2-36  also set forth the manner in which:

2-37      (a) The progress of pupils enrolled in a program of distance

2-38  education, an alternative program or a program of education

2-39  described in subsection 1 will be accounted for within the

2-40  statewide system of accountability; and

2-41      (b) The results of pupils enrolled in a program of distance

2-42  education, an alternative program or a program of education

2-43  described in subsection 1 on the examinations administered

2-44  pursuant to NRS 389.015 and 389.550 will be reported.


3-1  Sec. 6.  1.  The State Board shall prepare an annual report

3-2  of accountability that includes, without limitation:

3-3  (a) Information on the achievement of all pupils based upon

3-4  the results of the examinations administered pursuant to NRS

3-5  389.015 and 389.550, reported for each school district, including,

3-6  without limitation, each charter school in the district, and for this

3-7  state as a whole.

3-8  (b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, pupil

3-9  achievement, reported separately by gender and reported

3-10  separately for the following subgroups of pupils:

3-11          (1) Pupils who are economically disadvantaged, as defined

3-12  by the State Board;

3-13          (2) Pupils from major racial and ethnic groups, as defined

3-14  by the State Board;

3-15          (3) Pupils with disabilities;

3-16          (4) Pupils who are limited English proficient; and

3-17          (5) Pupils who are migratory children, as defined by the

3-18  State Board.

3-19      (c) A comparison of the achievement of pupils in each

3-20  subgroup identified in paragraph (d) of subsection 1 of section 4

3-21  of this act with the annual measurable objectives of the State

3-22  Board for that subgroup established pursuant to that section.

3-23      (d) The percentage of all pupils who were not tested, reported

3-24  for each school district, including, without limitation, each charter

3-25  school in the district, and for this state as a whole.

3-26      (e) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, the

3-27  percentage of pupils who were not tested, reported separately by

3-28  gender and reported separately for the subgroups identified in

3-29  paragraph (b).

3-30      (f) The most recent 3-year trend in the achievement of pupils

3-31  in each subject area tested and each grade level tested pursuant to

3-32  NRS 389.015 and 389.550, reported for each school district,

3-33  including, without limitation, each charter school in the district,

3-34  and for this state as a whole, which may include information

3-35  regarding the trend in the achievement of pupils for more than 3

3-36  years, if such information is available.

3-37      (g) Information on whether each school district has made

3-38  adequate yearly progress, including, without limitation, the name

3-39  of each school district, if any, designated as demonstrating need

3-40  for improvement pursuant to section 32 of this act and the number

3-41  of consecutive years that the school district has carried that

3-42  designation.

3-43      (h) Information on whether each public school, including,

3-44  without limitation, each charter school, has made adequate yearly

3-45  progress, including, without limitation, the name of each public


4-1  school, if any, designated as demonstrating need for improvement

4-2  pursuant to section 14 of this act and the number of consecutive

4-3  years that the school has carried that designation.

4-4  (i) Information on the results of pupils who participated in the

4-5  examinations of the National Assessment of Educational Progress

4-6  required pursuant to NRS 389.012.

4-7  (j) The ratio of pupils to teachers in kindergarten and at each

4-8  grade level for all elementary schools, reported for each school

4-9  district, including, without limitation, each charter school in the

4-10  district, and for this state as a whole, and the average class size for

4-11  each core academic subject, as set forth in NRS 389.018, for each

4-12  secondary school, reported for each school district and for this

4-13  state as a whole.

4-14      (k) Information on the professional qualifications of teachers

4-15  employed by school districts and charter schools, including,

4-16  without limitation:

4-17          (1) The percentage of teachers who are:

4-18              (I) Providing instruction pursuant to NRS 391.125;

4-19              (II) Providing instruction pursuant to a waiver of the

4-20  requirements for licensure for the grade level or subject area in

4-21  which the teachers are employed; or

4-22              (III) Otherwise providing instruction without an

4-23  endorsement for the subject area in which the teachers are

4-24  employed;

4-25          (2) The percentage of classes in the core academic subjects,

4-26  as set forth in NRS 389.018, in this state that are not taught by

4-27  highly qualified teachers; and

4-28          (3) The percentage of classes in the core academic subjects,

4-29  as set forth in NRS 389.018, in this state that are not taught by

4-30  highly qualified teachers in schools that are:

4-31              (I) In the top quartile of poverty in this state; and

4-32              (II) In the bottom quartile of poverty in this state.

4-33      (l) The total expenditure per pupil for each school district in

4-34  this state, including, without limitation, each charter school in the

4-35  district.

4-36      (m) The total statewide expenditure per pupil.

4-37      (n) For all elementary schools, junior high schools and middle

4-38  schools, the rate of attendance, reported for each school district,

4-39  including, without limitation, each charter school in the district,

4-40  and for this state as a whole.

4-41      (o) The annual rate of pupils who drop out of school in grades

4-42  9 to 12, inclusive, reported for each school district, including,

4-43  without limitation, each charter school in the district, and for this

4-44  state as a whole, excluding pupils who:


5-1       (1) Provide proof to the school district of successful

5-2  completion of the examinations of general educational

5-3  development.

5-4       (2) Are enrolled in courses that are approved by the

5-5  Department as meeting the requirements for an adult standard

5-6  diploma.

5-7       (3) Withdraw from school to attend another school.

5-8  (p) The attendance of teachers who provide instruction,

5-9  reported for each school district, including, without limitation,

5-10  each charter school in the district, and for this state as a whole.

5-11      (q) Incidents involving weapons or violence, reported for each

5-12  school district, including, without limitation, each charter school

5-13  in the district, and for this state as a whole.

5-14      (r) Incidents involving the use or possession of alcoholic

5-15  beverages or controlled substances, reported for each school

5-16  district, including, without limitation, each charter school in the

5-17  district, and for this state as a whole.

5-18      (s) The suspension and expulsion of pupils required or

5-19  authorized pursuant to NRS 392.466 and 392.467, reported for

5-20  each school district, including, without limitation, each charter

5-21  school in the district, and for this state as a whole.

5-22      (t) The number of pupils who are deemed habitual disciplinary

5-23  problems pursuant to NRS 392.4655, reported for each school

5-24  district, including, without limitation, each charter school in the

5-25  district, and for this state as a whole.

5-26      (u) The number of pupils in each grade who are retained in

5-27  the same grade pursuant to NRS 392.033 or 392.125, reported for

5-28  each school district, including, without limitation, each charter

5-29  school in the district, and for this state as a whole.

5-30      (v) The transiency rate of pupils, reported for each school

5-31  district, including, without limitation, each charter school in the

5-32  district, and for this state as a whole. For the purposes of this

5-33  paragraph, a pupil is not a transient if he is transferred to a

5-34  different school within the school district as a result of a change in

5-35  the zone of attendance by the board of trustees of the school

5-36  district pursuant to NRS 388.040.

5-37      (w) Each source of funding for this state to be used for the

5-38  system of public education.

5-39      (x) The amount and sources of money received by this state for

5-40  remedial education.

5-41      (y) The percentage of pupils who graduated from a high

5-42  school or charter school in the immediately preceding year and

5-43  enrolled in remedial courses in reading, writing or mathematics at

5-44  a university or community college within the University and

5-45  Community College System of Nevada, reported for each school


6-1  district, including, without limitation, each charter school in the

6-2  district, and for this state as a whole.

6-3  (z) The technological facilities and equipment available for

6-4  educational purposes, reported for each school district, including,

6-5  without limitation, each charter school in the district, and for this

6-6  state as a whole.

6-7  (aa) For each school district, including, without limitation,

6-8  each charter school in the district, and for this state as a whole,

6-9  the number and percentage of pupils who received:

6-10          (1) A standard high school diploma.

6-11          (2) An adjusted diploma.

6-12          (3) A certificate of attendance.

6-13      (bb) The number and percentage of pupils who did not receive

6-14  a high school diploma because the pupils failed to pass the high

6-15  school proficiency examination, reported for each school district,

6-16  including, without limitation, each charter school in the district,

6-17  and for this state as a whole.

6-18      (cc) The number of habitual truants who are reported to a

6-19  school police officer or local law enforcement agency pursuant to

6-20  paragraph (a) of subsection 2 of NRS 392.144 and the number of

6-21  habitual truants who are referred to an advisory board to review

6-22  school attendance pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection 2 of

6-23  NRS 392.144, reported for each school district, including, without

6-24  limitation, each charter school in the district, and for this state as

6-25  a whole.

6-26      (dd) Information on the paraprofessionals employed at public

6-27  schools in this state, including, without limitation, the charter

6-28  schools in this state. The information must include:

6-29          (1) The number of paraprofessionals employed, reported

6-30  for each school district, including, without limitation, each charter

6-31  school in the district, and for this state as a whole; and

6-32          (2) Whether each paraprofessional employed holds a

6-33  certificate issued pursuant to section 88 of this act, reported for

6-34  each school district, including, without limitation, each charter

6-35  school in the district, and for this state as a whole.

6-36      (ee) An identification of appropriations made by the

6-37  Legislature to improve the academic achievement of pupils and

6-38  programs approved by the Legislature to improve the academic

6-39  achievement of pupils.

6-40      2.  A separate reporting for a subgroup of pupils must not be

6-41  made pursuant to this section if the number of pupils in that

6-42  subgroup is insufficient to yield statistically reliable information

6-43  or the results would reveal personally identifiable information

6-44  about an individual pupil. The State Board shall prescribe a

6-45  mechanism for determining the minimum number of pupils that


7-1  must be in a subgroup for that subgroup to yield statistically

7-2  reliable information.

7-3  3.  The annual report of accountability must:

7-4  (a) Comply with 20 U.S.C. § 6311(h)(1) and the regulations

7-5  adopted pursuant thereto;

7-6  (b) Be prepared in a concise manner; and

7-7  (c) Be presented in an understandable and uniform format

7-8  and, to the extent practicable, provided in a language that parents

7-9  can understand.

7-10      4.  On or before August 1 of each year, the State Board shall

7-11  provide for public dissemination of the annual report of

7-12  accountability and submit a copy of the report to the:

7-13      (a) Governor;

7-14      (b) Committee;

7-15      (c) Bureau;

7-16      (d) Board of Regents of the University of Nevada;

7-17      (e) Board of trustees of each school district; and

7-18      (f) Governing body of each charter school.

7-19      5.  As used in this section, “highly qualified” has the meaning

7-20  ascribed to it in 20 U.S.C. § 7801(23).

7-21      Sec. 7.  1.  The State Board shall prepare a plan to improve

7-22  the achievement of pupils enrolled in the public schools in this

7-23  state. The plan:

7-24      (a) Must be prepared in consultation with employees of the

7-25  Department and at least one representative of the Statewide

7-26  Council for the Coordination of the Regional Training Programs

7-27  created by NRS 391.516; and

7-28      (b) May be prepared in consultation with:

7-29          (1) Representatives of institutions of higher education;

7-30          (2) Representatives of regional educational laboratories;

7-31          (3) Representatives of outside consultant groups;

7-32          (4) Representatives of the regional training programs for

7-33  the professional development of teachers and administrators

7-34  established pursuant to NRS 391.512;

7-35          (5) The Bureau; and

7-36          (6) Other persons who the State Board determines are

7-37  appropriate.

7-38      2.  A plan to improve the achievement of pupils enrolled in

7-39  public schools in this state must include:

7-40      (a) A review and analysis of the data upon which the report

7-41  required pursuant to section 6 of this act is based and a review and

7-42  analysis of any data that is more recent than the data upon which

7-43  the report is based.


8-1  (b) The identification of any problems or factors common

8-2  among the school districts or charter schools in this state, as

8-3  revealed by the review and analysis.

8-4  (c) Strategies based upon scientifically based research, as

8-5  defined in 20 U.S.C. § 7801(37), that will strengthen the core

8-6  academic subjects, as set forth in NRS 389.018.

8-7  (d) Strategies to improve the academic achievement of pupils

8-8  enrolled in public schools in this state, including, without

8-9  limitation, strategies to:

8-10          (1) Instruct pupils who are not achieving to their fullest

8-11  potential;

8-12          (2) Increase the rate of attendance of pupils and reduce the

8-13  number of pupils who drop out of school;

8-14          (3) Integrate technology into the instructional and

8-15  administrative programs of the school districts;

8-16          (4) Manage effectively the discipline of pupils; and

8-17          (5) Enhance the professional development offered for the

8-18  teachers and administrators employed at public schools in this

8-19  state to include the activities set forth in 20 U.S.C. § 7801(34), as

8-20  deemed appropriate by the State Board.

8-21      (e) Strategies designed to provide to the pupils enrolled in

8-22  middle school, junior high school and high school, the teachers

8-23  and counselors who provide instruction to those pupils, and the

8-24  parents and guardians of those pupils information concerning:

8-25          (1) The requirements for admission to an institution of

8-26  higher education and the opportunities for financial aid;

8-27          (2) The availability of millennium scholarships pursuant to

8-28  NRS 396.911 to 396.938, inclusive; and

8-29          (3) The need for a pupil to make informed decisions about

8-30  his curriculum in middle school, junior high school and high

8-31  school in preparation for success after graduation.

8-32      (f) An identification, by category, of the employees of the

8-33  Department who are responsible for ensuring that each provision

8-34  of the plan is carried out effectively.

8-35      (g) For each provision of the plan, a timeline for carrying out

8-36  that provision, including, without limitation, a timeline for

8-37  monitoring whether the provision is carried out effectively.

8-38      (h) For each provision of the plan, measurable criteria for

8-39  determining whether the provision has contributed toward

8-40  improving the academic achievement of pupils, increasing the rate

8-41  of attendance of pupils and reducing the number of pupils who

8-42  drop out of school.

8-43      (i) Strategies to improve the allocation of resources from this

8-44  state, by program and by school district, in a manner that will

8-45  improve the academic achievement of pupils. If this state has a


9-1  financial analysis program that is designed to track educational

9-2  expenditures and revenues to individual schools, the State Board

9-3  shall use that statewide program in complying with this

9-4  paragraph. If a statewide program is not available, the State Board

9-5  shall use the Department’s own financial analysis program in

9-6  complying with this paragraph.

9-7  (j) Based upon the reallocation of resources set forth in

9-8  paragraph (i), the resources available to the State Board and the

9-9  Department to carry out the plan.

9-10      (k) A summary of the effectiveness of appropriations made by

9-11  the Legislature to improve the academic achievement of pupils

9-12  and programs approved by the Legislature to improve the

9-13  academic achievement of pupils.

9-14      3.  The State Board shall:

9-15      (a) Review the plan prepared pursuant to this section annually

9-16  to evaluate the effectiveness of the plan; and

9-17      (b) Based upon the evaluation of the plan, make revisions, as

9-18  necessary, to ensure that the plan is designed to improve the

9-19  academic achievement of pupils enrolled in public schools in this

9-20  state.

9-21      4.  On or before August 15 of each year, the State Board shall

9-22  submit the plan or the revised plan, as applicable, to the:

9-23      (a) Governor;

9-24      (b) Committee;

9-25      (c) Bureau;

9-26      (d) Board of Regents of the University of Nevada;

9-27      (e) Council to Establish Academic Standards for Public

9-28  Schools created by NRS 389.510;

9-29      (f) Board of trustees of each school district; and

9-30      (g) Governing body of each charter school.

9-31      Sec. 8.  1.  The board of trustees of each school district shall

9-32  prepare a plan to improve the achievement of pupils enrolled in

9-33  the school district, excluding pupils who are enrolled in charter

9-34  schools located in the school district. The plan:

9-35      (a) Must be prepared in consultation with:

9-36          (1) Employees of the school district; and

9-37          (2) Parents and guardians of pupils enrolled in the school

9-38  district; and

9-39      (b) May be prepared in consultation with:

9-40          (1) Representatives of institutions of higher education;

9-41          (2) Representatives of regional educational laboratories;

9-42          (3) Representatives of outside consultant groups;

9-43          (4) Representatives of the regional training program for the

9-44  professional development of teachers and administrators


10-1  established pursuant to NRS 391.512 that provides services to the

10-2  school district;

10-3          (5) The Bureau; and

10-4          (6) Other persons who the board of trustees of the school

10-5  district determines are appropriate.

10-6      2.  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the plan

10-7  must include the items set forth in 20 U.S.C. § 6316(c)(7) and the

10-8  regulations adopted pursuant thereto. If a school district has not

10-9  been designated as demonstrating need for improvement pursuant

10-10  to section 32 of this act, the board of trustees of the school district

10-11  is not required to include those items set forth in 20 U.S.C. §

10-12  6316(c)(7) and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto that

10-13  directly relate to the status of a school district as needing

10-14  improvement.

10-15     3.  In addition to the requirements of subsection 2, a plan to

10-16  improve the achievement of pupils enrolled in a school district

10-17  must include:

10-18     (a) A review and analysis of the data upon which the report

10-19  required pursuant to subsection 2 of NRS 385.347 is based and a

10-20  review and analysis of any data that is more recent than the data

10-21  upon which the report is based.

10-22     (b) The identification of any problems or factors at individual

10-23  schools that are revealed by the review and analysis.

10-24     (c) Strategies based upon scientifically based research, as

10-25  defined in 20 U.S.C. § 7801(37), that will strengthen the core

10-26  academic subjects, as set forth in NRS 389.018.

10-27     (d) Strategies to improve the academic achievement of pupils

10-28  enrolled in the school district including, without limitation,

10-29  strategies to:

10-30         (1) Instruct pupils who are not achieving to their fullest

10-31  potential;

10-32         (2) Increase the rate of attendance of pupils and reduce the

10-33  number of pupils who drop out of school;

10-34         (3) Integrate technology into the instructional and

10-35  administrative programs of the school district;

10-36         (4) Manage effectively the discipline of pupils; and

10-37         (5) Enhance the professional development offered for the

10-38  teachers and administrators employed by the school district to

10-39  include the activities set forth in 20 U.S.C. § 7801(34), as deemed

10-40  appropriate by the board of trustees of the school district.

10-41     (e) Strategies designed to provide to the pupils enrolled in

10-42  middle school, junior high school and high school, the teachers

10-43  and counselors who provide instruction to those pupils, and the

10-44  parents and guardians of those pupils information concerning:


11-1          (1) The requirements for admission to an institution of

11-2  higher education and the opportunities for financial aid;

11-3          (2) The availability of millennium scholarships pursuant to

11-4  NRS 396.911 to 396.938, inclusive; and

11-5          (3) The need for a pupil to make informed decisions about

11-6  his curriculum in middle school, junior high school and high

11-7  school in preparation for success after graduation.

11-8      (f) An identification, by category, of the employees of the

11-9  school district who are responsible for ensuring that each

11-10  provision of the plan is carried out effectively.

11-11     (g) In consultation with the Department, an identification, by

11-12  category, of the employees of the Department, if any, who are

11-13  responsible for overseeing and monitoring whether the plan is

11-14  carried out effectively.

11-15     (h) For each provision of the plan, a timeline for carrying out

11-16  that provision, including, without limitation, a timeline for

11-17  monitoring whether the provision is carried out effectively.

11-18     (i) For each provision of the plan, measurable criteria for

11-19  determining whether the provision has contributed toward

11-20  improving the academic achievement of pupils, increasing the rate

11-21  of attendance of pupils and reducing the number of pupils who

11-22  drop out of school.

11-23     (j) Strategies to improve the allocation of resources from the

11-24  school district, by program and by school, in a manner that will

11-25  improve the academic achievement of pupils. If this state has a

11-26  financial analysis program that is designed to track educational

11-27  expenditures and revenues to individual schools, each school

11-28  district shall use that statewide program in complying with this

11-29  paragraph. If a statewide program is not available, each school

11-30  district shall use its own financial analysis program in complying

11-31  with this paragraph.

11-32     (k) Based upon the reallocation of resources set forth in

11-33  paragraph (j), the resources available to the school district to carry

11-34  out the plan.

11-35     (l) A summary of the effectiveness of appropriations made by

11-36  the Legislature that are available to the school district or the

11-37  schools within the school district to improve the academic

11-38  achievement of pupils and programs approved by the Legislature

11-39  to improve the academic achievement of pupils.

11-40     4.  The board of trustees of each school district shall:

11-41     (a) Review the plan prepared pursuant to this section annually

11-42  to evaluate the effectiveness of the plan; and

11-43     (b) Based upon the evaluation of the plan, make revisions, as

11-44  necessary, to ensure that the plan is designed to improve the

11-45  academic achievement of pupils enrolled in the school district.


12-1      5.  On or before June 15 of each year, the board of trustees of

12-2  each school district shall submit the plan or the revised plan, as

12-3  applicable, to the:

12-4      (a) Superintendent of Public Instruction;

12-5      (b) Governor;

12-6      (c) State Board;

12-7      (d) Department;

12-8      (e) Committee; and

12-9      (f) Bureau.

12-10     Sec. 9.  1.  The principal of each school, including, without

12-11  limitation, each charter school, shall prepare a plan to improve the

12-12  achievement of pupils enrolled in the school. The plan:

12-13     (a) Must be prepared in consultation with:

12-14         (1) Employees of the school;

12-15         (2) Parents or legal guardians of pupils enrolled in the

12-16  school; and

12-17         (3) Except for a charter school, employees of the school

12-18  district in which the school is located.

12-19     (b) May be prepared in consultation with:

12-20         (1) Representatives of institutions of higher education;

12-21         (2) Representatives of regional educational laboratories;

12-22         (3) Representatives of outside consultant groups;

12-23         (4) Representatives of the regional training program for the

12-24  professional development of teachers and administrators

12-25  established pursuant to NRS 391.512 that provides services to the

12-26  school district in which the school is located;

12-27         (5) The Bureau; and

12-28         (6) Other persons who the principal determines are

12-29  appropriate.

12-30     2.  The plan developed pursuant to subsection 1 must include:

12-31     (a) A review and analysis of the data pertaining to the school

12-32  upon which the report required pursuant to subsection 2 of NRS

12-33  385.347 is based and a review and analysis of any data that is

12-34  more recent than the data upon which the report is based.

12-35     (b) The identification of any problems or factors at the school

12-36  that are revealed by the review and analysis.

12-37     (c) Strategies based upon scientifically based research, as

12-38  defined in 20 U.S.C. § 7801(37), that will strengthen the core

12-39  academic subjects, as defined in NRS 389.018.

12-40     (d) Policies and practices concerning the core academic

12-41  subjects which have the greatest likelihood of ensuring that each

12-42  subgroup of pupils identified in paragraph (d) of subsection 1 of

12-43  section 4 of this act who are enrolled in the school will make

12-44  adequate yearly progress and meet the minimum level of

12-45  proficiency prescribed by the State Board.


13-1      (e) Annual measurable objectives, consistent with the annual

13-2  measurable objectives established by the State Board pursuant to

13-3  section 4 of this act, for the continuous and substantial progress

13-4  by each subgroup of pupils identified in paragraph (d) of

13-5  subsection 1 of that section who are enrolled in the school to

13-6  ensure that each subgroup will make adequate yearly progress and

13-7  meet the level of proficiency prescribed by the State Board.

13-8      (f) Strategies, consistent with the policy adopted pursuant to

13-9  NRS 392.457 by the board of trustees of the school district in

13-10  which the school is located, to promote effective involvement by

13-11  parents and families of pupils enrolled in the school in the

13-12  education of their children.

13-13     (g) As appropriate, programs of remedial education or tutoring

13-14  to be offered before and after school, during the summer, or

13-15  between sessions if the school operates on a year-round calendar

13-16  for pupils enrolled in the school who need additional instructional

13-17  time to pass or to reach a level considered proficient.

13-18     (h) A mentoring program for teachers and other educational

13-19  personnel who are employed at the school.

13-20     (i) Strategies to improve the academic achievement of pupils

13-21  enrolled in the school, including, without limitation, strategies to:

13-22         (1) Instruct pupils who are not achieving to their fullest

13-23  potential;

13-24         (2) Increase the rate of attendance of pupils and reduce the

13-25  number of pupils who drop out of school;

13-26         (3) Integrate technology into the instructional and

13-27  administrative programs of the school;

13-28         (4) Manage effectively the discipline of pupils; and

13-29         (5) Enhance the professional development offered for the

13-30  teachers and administrators employed at the school to include the

13-31  activities set forth in 20 U.S.C. § 7801(34), as deemed appropriate

13-32  by the principal and other persons and entities responsible for the

13-33  development of the plan.

13-34     (j) If the school is a middle school, junior high school or high

13-35  school, strategies designed to provide to the pupils enrolled in the

13-36  school, the teachers and counselors employed at the school, and

13-37  the parents and guardians of pupils enrolled in the school

13-38  information concerning:

13-39         (1) The requirements for admission to an institution of

13-40  higher education and the opportunities for financial aid;

13-41         (2) The availability of millennium scholarships pursuant to

13-42  NRS 396.911 to 396.938, inclusive; and

13-43         (3) The need for a pupil to make informed decisions about

13-44  his curriculum in preparation for success after graduation.


14-1      (k) An identification, by category, of the employees of the

14-2  school who are responsible for ensuring that the plan is carried

14-3  out effectively.

14-4      (l) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, in

14-5  consultation with the school district, an identification, by category,

14-6  of the employees of the school district, if any, who are responsible

14-7  for ensuring that the plan is carried out effectively or for

14-8  overseeing and monitoring whether the plan is carried out

14-9  effectively. If a charter school is sponsored by the State Board, the

14-10  charter school shall not identify employees of the school district

14-11  pursuant to this paragraph but shall comply with paragraph (m).

14-12     (m) In consultation with the Department, an identification, by

14-13  category, of the employees of the Department, if any, who are

14-14  responsible for overseeing and monitoring whether the plan is

14-15  carried out effectively.

14-16     (n) For each provision of the plan, a timeline for carrying out

14-17  that provision, including, without limitation, a timeline for

14-18  monitoring whether the provision is carried out effectively.

14-19     (o) For each provision of the plan, measurable criteria for

14-20  determining whether the provision has contributed toward

14-21  improving the academic achievement of pupils, increasing the rate

14-22  of attendance of pupils and reducing the number of pupils who

14-23  drop out of school.

14-24     (p) The resources available to the school to carry out the plan.

14-25  If this state has a financial analysis program that is designed to

14-26  track educational expenditures and revenues to individual schools,

14-27  each school shall use that statewide program in complying with

14-28  this paragraph. If a statewide program is not available, each

14-29  school shall use the financial analysis program used by the school

14-30  district in which the school is located in complying with this

14-31  paragraph.

14-32     (q) A summary of the effectiveness of appropriations made by

14-33  the Legislature that are available to the school to improve the

14-34  academic achievement of pupils and programs approved by the

14-35  Legislature to improve the academic achievement of pupils.

14-36     3.  In addition to the requirements of subsection 2, if a school

14-37  has been designated as demonstrating need for improvement

14-38  pursuant to section 14 of this act for 2 or more consecutive years,

14-39  the plan must comply with 20 U.S.C. § 6316(b)(3) and the

14-40  regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

14-41     4.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 5, the principal

14-42  of each school shall, in consultation with the persons and entities

14-43  prescribed in subsection 1:

14-44     (a) Review the plan prepared pursuant to this section annually

14-45  to evaluate the effectiveness of the plan; and


15-1      (b) Based upon the evaluation of the plan, make revisions, as

15-2  necessary, to ensure that the plan is designed to improve the

15-3  academic achievement of pupils enrolled in the school.

15-4      5.  If a school has been designated as demonstrating need for

15-5  improvement pursuant to section 14 of this act for 2 or more

15-6  consecutive years, the support team established for the school

15-7  shall review the plan and make revisions to the most recent plan

15-8  for improvement of the school pursuant to section 18 of this act.

15-9      6.  On or before April 1 of each year, the principal of each

15-10  school or the support team established for the school, as

15-11  applicable, shall submit the plan or the revised plan, as applicable,

15-12  to:

15-13     (a) If the school is a public school of the school district or a

15-14  charter school sponsored by the board of trustees, the

15-15  superintendent of schools of the school district.

15-16     (b) If the school is a charter school sponsored by the State

15-17  Board, the Department.

15-18     7.  If a Title I school is designated as demonstrating need for

15-19  improvement pursuant to section 14 of this act, the superintendent

15-20  of schools of the school district or the Department, as applicable,

15-21  shall carry out a process for peer review of the plan or the revised

15-22  plan, as applicable, in accordance with 20 U.S.C. § 6316(b)(3)(E)

15-23  and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto. Not later than 45

15-24  days after receipt of the plan, the superintendent of schools of the

15-25  school district or the Department, as applicable, shall approve the

15-26  plan or the revised plan, as applicable, if it meets the requirements

15-27  of 20 U.S.C. § 6316(b)(3) and the regulations adopted pursuant

15-28  thereto and the requirements of this section. The superintendent of

15-29  schools of the school district or the Department, as applicable,

15-30  may condition approval of the plan or the revised plan, as

15-31  applicable, in the manner set forth in 20 U.S.C. § 6316(b)(3)(B)

15-32  and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto. The State Board

15-33  shall prescribe the requirements for the process of peer review,

15-34  including, without limitation, the qualifications of persons who

15-35  may serve as peer reviewers.

15-36     8.  If a school is designated as demonstrating exemplary

15-37  achievement, high achievement or adequate achievement, or if a

15-38  school that is not a Title I school is designated as demonstrating

15-39  need for improvement, not later than 45 days after receipt of the

15-40  plan or the revised plan, as applicable, the superintendent of

15-41  schools of the school district or the Department, as applicable,

15-42  shall approve the plan or the revised plan if it meets the

15-43  requirements of this section.

15-44     9.  On or before June 15 of each year, the principal of each

15-45  school or the support team established for the school, as


16-1  applicable, shall submit the final plan or the final revised plan, as

16-2  applicable, to the:

16-3      (a) Superintendent of Public Instruction;

16-4      (b) Governor;

16-5      (c) State Board;

16-6      (d) Department;

16-7      (e) Committee;

16-8      (f) Bureau; and

16-9      (g) Board of trustees of the school district in which the school

16-10  is located.

16-11     10.  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a plan for

16-12  the improvement of a school must be carried out by the school

16-13  expeditiously, but not later than the beginning of the next school

16-14  year after the plan is approved pursuant to subsection 7 or 8.

16-15     Sec. 10.  1.  On or before January 1 of each year, the

16-16  Department shall determine whether each public school is making

16-17  adequate yearly progress, as defined by the State Board pursuant

16-18  to section 4 of this act. The determination for a public school,

16-19  including, without limitation, a charter school sponsored by the

16-20  board of trustees of the school district, must be made in

16-21  consultation with the board of trustees of the school district in

16-22  which the public school is located. If a charter school is sponsored

16-23  by the State Board, the Department shall make a determination for

16-24  the charter school in consultation with the State Board. On or

16-25  before January 1 of each year, the Department shall transmit:

16-26     (a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b), the

16-27  determination made for each public school to the board of trustees

16-28  of the school district in which the public school is located.

16-29     (b) To the State Board the determination made for each

16-30  charter school that is sponsored by the State Board.

16-31     2.  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the

16-32  Department shall determine that a public school has failed to

16-33  make adequate yearly progress if any subgroup identified in

16-34  paragraph (d) of subsection 1 of section 4 of this act does not

16-35  satisfy the annual measurable objectives established by the State

16-36  Board pursuant to that section. To comply with 20 U.S.C. §

16-37  6311(b)(2)(I) and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto, the

16-38  State Board shall prescribe by regulation the conditions under

16-39  which a school shall be deemed to have made adequate yearly

16-40  progress even though a subgroup identified in paragraph (d) of

16-41  subsection 1 of section 4 of this act did not satisfy the annual

16-42  measurable objectives of the State Board.

16-43     3.  In addition to the provisions of subsection 2, the

16-44  Department shall determine that a public school has failed to

16-45  make adequate yearly progress if:


17-1      (a) The number of pupils enrolled in the school who took the

17-2  examinations administered pursuant to NRS 389.015 and 389.550

17-3  is less than 95 percent of all pupils enrolled in the school who

17-4  were required to take the examinations; or

17-5      (b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, for each

17-6  subgroup of pupils identified in paragraph (d) of subsection 1 of

17-7  section 4 of this act, the number of pupils in the subgroup enrolled

17-8  in the school who took the examinations administered pursuant to

17-9  NRS 389.015 and 389.550 is less than 95 percent of all pupils in

17-10  that subgroup enrolled in the school who were required to take the

17-11  examinations.

17-12     4.  If the number of pupils in a particular subgroup who are

17-13  enrolled in a public school is insufficient to yield statistically

17-14  reliable information:

17-15     (a) The Department shall not determine that the school has

17-16  failed to make adequate yearly progress pursuant to paragraph (b)

17-17  of subsection 3 based solely upon that particular subgroup.

17-18     (b) The pupils in such a subgroup must be included in the

17-19  overall count of pupils enrolled in the school who took the

17-20  examinations.

17-21  The State Board shall prescribe the mechanism for determining

17-22  the number of pupils that must be in a subgroup for that subgroup

17-23  to yield statistically reliable information.

17-24     5.  If an irregularity in testing administration or an

17-25  irregularity in testing security occurs at a school and the

17-26  irregularity invalidates the test scores of pupils, those test scores

17-27  must not be included in the scores of pupils reported for the school

17-28  and the attendance of those pupils must not be counted towards

17-29  the total number of pupils who took the examinations, but must be

17-30  included in the total number of pupils who were required to take

17-31  the examinations. If the pupils take an additional administration

17-32  of the examinations during the same school year, the scores of

17-33  pupils on those examinations must not be included in the scores of

17-34  pupils reported for the school.

17-35     6.  As used in this section:

17-36     (a) “Irregularity in testing administration” has the meaning

17-37  ascribed to it in NRS 389.604.

17-38     (b) “Irregularity in testing security” has the meaning ascribed

17-39  to it in NRS 389.608.

17-40     Sec. 11.  1.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, if

17-41  the number of pupils enrolled in a school who took the

17-42  examinations administered pursuant to NRS 389.015 and 389.550,

17-43  excluding the high school proficiency examination, is less than 95

17-44  percent of all pupils enrolled in the school who were required to

17-45  take the examinations, the Department shall notify the school and


18-1  the school district in which the school is located that the school is

18-2  required to provide, in the same school year, for an additional

18-3  administration of examinations, excluding the high school

18-4  proficiency examination, as prescribed by the State Board

18-5  pursuant to subsection 2. Except as otherwise provided in this

18-6  subsection, the school district shall pay for all costs related to the

18-7  administration of the examinations pursuant to this subsection. If

18-8  a charter school is required to administer examinations pursuant

18-9  to this subsection, the charter school shall pay for all costs related

18-10  to the administration of the examinations to pupils enrolled in the

18-11  charter school.

18-12     2.  The State Board shall prescribe by regulation the

18-13  examinations that a school must administer pursuant to

18-14  subsection 1.

18-15     3.  The Department may, for good cause shown, grant a

18-16  waiver to a school from the requirements of subsection 1.

18-17     Sec. 12.  If the Department determines that a public school

18-18  has failed to make adequate yearly progress pursuant to

18-19  subsection 3 of section 10 of this act:

18-20     1.  The Department or its designee shall monitor at the school

18-21  the administration of the examinations that are required pursuant

18-22  to NRS 389.015 and 389.550 and ensure that all eligible pupils

18-23  who are in attendance on the day of the administration of the

18-24  examinations are given an opportunity to take the examinations

18-25  until the percentage of pupils who take the examinations is 95

18-26  percent or more of all pupils enrolled in the school who are

18-27  required to take the examinations.

18-28     2.  The school is not required to adopt a program of remedial

18-29  study pursuant to NRS 385.389 and is not eligible to receive

18-30  money for remedial programs made available by legislative

18-31  appropriation for the purposes of NRS 385.389.

18-32     Sec. 13.  1.  Based upon the information received from the

18-33  Department pursuant to section 10 of this act, the board of trustees

18-34  of each school district shall designate, on or before January 5 of

18-35  each year, each public school in the school district pursuant to

18-36  section 14 of this act, excluding charter schools sponsored by the

18-37  State Board. The board of trustees shall make designations for all

18-38  charter schools that are sponsored by the board of trustees. The

18-39  Department shall make designations for all charter schools that

18-40  are sponsored by the State Board.

18-41     2.  If the board of trustees of a school district or the

18-42  Department, as applicable, determines that a public school is

18-43  demonstrating need for improvement, the board of trustees or the

18-44  Department shall issue a preliminary designation for that school

18-45  on January 5. Before making a final designation for the school,


19-1  the board of trustees of the school district or the Department, as

19-2  applicable, shall provide the school an opportunity to review the

19-3  data upon which the proposed designation is based and to present

19-4  evidence as set forth in 20 U.S.C. § 6316(b)(2) and the regulations

19-5  adopted pursuant thereto. Not later than 30 days after providing

19-6  the school an opportunity to review the data:

19-7      (a) If the school is a public school of the school district or a

19-8  charter school sponsored by the board of trustees, the board of

19-9  trustees of the school district shall, in consultation with the

19-10  Department, make a final determination concerning the

19-11  designation for the school.

19-12     (b) If the school is a charter school sponsored by the State

19-13  Board, the Department shall make a final determination

19-14  concerning the designation for the school.

19-15     3.  On or before February 5 of each year, the Department

19-16  shall provide written notice of the determinations made pursuant

19-17  to section 10 of this act and the designations made pursuant to

19-18  section 14 of this act as follows:

19-19     (a) The determinations and designations made for all schools

19-20  in this state to the:

19-21         (1) Governor;

19-22         (2) State Board;

19-23         (3) Committee; and

19-24         (4) Bureau.

19-25     (b) The determinations and designations made for all schools

19-26  within a school district to the:

19-27         (1) Superintendent of schools of the school district; and

19-28         (2) Board of trustees of the school district.

19-29     (c) The determination and designation made for each school to

19-30  the principal of the school.

19-31     Sec. 14.  1.  Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b)

19-32  of subsection 4, a school must be designated as demonstrating

19-33  exemplary achievement if:

19-34     (a) The school makes adequate yearly progress, as determined

19-35  by the Department pursuant to section 10 of this act; and

19-36     (b) At least 50 percent of all pupils in all grades enrolled at the

19-37  school who took the examinations administered pursuant to NRS

19-38  389.015 received an average score on those examinations that is at

19-39  least equal to the 76th percentile of the national reference group

19-40  to which the examinations were compared.

19-41     2.  Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of

19-42  subsection 4, a school must be designated as demonstrating high

19-43  achievement if:

19-44     (a) The school makes adequate yearly progress, as determined

19-45  by the Department pursuant to section 10 of this act; and


20-1      (b) At least 40 percent of all pupils in all grades enrolled at the

20-2  school who took the examinations administered pursuant to NRS

20-3  389.015 received an average score on those examinations that is at

20-4  least equal to the 76th percentile of the national reference group

20-5  to which the examinations were compared.

20-6      3.  Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of

20-7  subsection 4, a school must be designated as demonstrating

20-8  adequate achievement if:

20-9      (a) The school makes adequate yearly progress, as determined

20-10  by the Department pursuant to section 10 of this act; and

20-11     (b) At least 60 percent of all pupils in all grades enrolled at the

20-12  school who took the examinations administered pursuant to NRS

20-13  389.015 received an average score on those examinations that is at

20-14  least equal to the 26th percentile of the national reference group

20-15  to which the examinations were compared.

20-16     4.  A school must be designated as demonstrating need for

20-17  improvement if:

20-18     (a) The school fails to make adequate yearly progress, as

20-19  determined by the Department pursuant to section 10 of this act,

20-20  or less than 60 percent of all pupils in all grades enrolled at the

20-21  school who took the examinations administered pursuant to NRS

20-22  389.015 received an average score on those examinations that is at

20-23  least equal to the 26th percentile of the national reference group

20-24  to which the examinations were compared; or

20-25     (b) The school makes adequate yearly progress, as determined

20-26  by the Department pursuant to section 10 of this act, but was

20-27  designated as demonstrating need for improvement pursuant to

20-28  paragraph (a) in the immediately preceding year for failing to

20-29  make adequate yearly progress.

20-30     5.  If a public school is designated as demonstrating need for

20-31  improvement pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection 4, the

20-32  designation of the school as demonstrating need for improvement

20-33  must not be removed until:

20-34     (a) The school has made adequate yearly progress for 2

20-35  consecutive years; and

20-36     (b) At least 60 percent of all pupils in all grades enrolled at the

20-37  school who take the examinations administered pursuant to NRS

20-38  389.015 receive an average score on those examinations that is at

20-39  least equal to the 26th percentile of the national reference group

20-40  to which the examinations were compared.

20-41     Sec. 15.  1.  If a public school is designated as

20-42  demonstrating need for improvement pursuant to section 14 of this

20-43  act and the school is a public school of the school district or a

20-44  charter school sponsored by the board of trustees, the board of

20-45  trustees of the school district shall provide notice of the


21-1  designation to the parents and guardians of pupils enrolled in the

21-2  school on the form prescribed by the Department pursuant to

21-3  section 36 of this act. If the public school is a charter school

21-4  sponsored by the State Board, the Department shall provide notice

21-5  to the parents and guardians of pupils enrolled in the school on

21-6  the form prescribed by the Department pursuant to section 36 of

21-7  this act. The State Board shall prescribe by regulation the time by

21-8  which such notice must be provided.

21-9      2.  If a public school is designated as demonstrating need for

21-10  improvement pursuant to section 14 of this act:

21-11     (a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b), the board

21-12  of trustees of the school district in which the school is located shall

21-13  ensure that the school receives technical assistance in the manner

21-14  set forth in 20 U.S.C. § 6316(b)(4) and the regulations adopted

21-15  pursuant thereto.

21-16     (b) For a charter school sponsored by the State Board, the

21-17  Department shall ensure that the school receives technical

21-18  assistance in the manner set forth in 20 U.S.C. § 6316(b)(4) and

21-19  the regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

21-20     Sec. 16.  1.  If a public school is designated as

21-21  demonstrating need for improvement pursuant to section 14 of this

21-22  act for a second consecutive year, the support team established for

21-23  the school pursuant to this section shall revise the most recent

21-24  plan for improvement of the school for submission to:

21-25     (a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b), the

21-26  superintendent of schools of the school district.

21-27     (b) For a charter school sponsored by the State Board, the

21-28  Department.

21-29  The revision, submission and approval of the revised plan must

21-30  comply with sections 9 and 18 of this act.

21-31     2.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, if a public

21-32  school is designated as demonstrating need for improvement

21-33  pursuant to section 14 of this act for a second consecutive year,

21-34  the board of trustees of the school district shall:

21-35     (a) Provide notice of the designation to the parents and

21-36  guardians of pupils enrolled in the school on the form prescribed

21-37  by the Department pursuant to section 36 of this act.

21-38     (b) Ensure that the school receives technical assistance in the

21-39  manner set forth in 20 U.S.C. § 6316(b)(4) and the regulations

21-40  adopted pursuant thereto.

21-41     (c) Establish a support team for the school, with the

21-42  membership prescribed pursuant to section 17 of this act.

21-43     3.  If a charter school sponsored by the State Board is

21-44  designated as demonstrating need for improvement pursuant to


22-1  section 14 of this act for a second consecutive year, the

22-2  Department shall:

22-3      (a) Provide notice of the designation to the parents and

22-4  guardians of pupils enrolled in the school on the form prescribed

22-5  by the Department pursuant to section 36 of this act;

22-6      (b) Ensure that the school receives technical assistance in the

22-7  manner set forth in 20 U.S.C. § 6316(b)(4) and the regulations

22-8  adopted pursuant thereto; and

22-9      (c) Establish a support team for the school, with the

22-10  membership prescribed pursuant to section 17 of this act.

22-11     4.  In addition to the requirements of subsection 2 or 3, as

22-12  applicable, if a Title I school is designated as demonstrating need

22-13  for improvement pursuant to section 14 of this act for a second

22-14  consecutive year:

22-15     (a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b), the board

22-16  of trustees of the school district shall provide school choice to the

22-17  parents and guardians of pupils enrolled in the school in

22-18  accordance with 20 U.S.C. § 6316(b)(1) and the regulations

22-19  adopted pursuant thereto.

22-20     (b) For a charter school sponsored by the State Board, the

22-21  Department shall work cooperatively with the board of trustees of

22-22  the school district in which the charter school is located to provide

22-23  school choice to the parents and guardians of pupils enrolled in

22-24  the school in accordance with 20 U.S.C. § 6316(b)(1) and the

22-25  regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

22-26     Sec. 17.  The membership of each support team established

22-27  for a public school pursuant to section 16 of this act:

22-28     1.  Must consist of, without limitation:

22-29     (a) Teachers and principals who are considered highly

22-30  qualified;

22-31     (b) Employees of the public school for which the support team

22-32  is established who provide services to pupils; and

22-33     (c) Parents or guardians of pupils who are enrolled in the

22-34  public school for which the support team is established.

22-35     2.  May consist of, without limitation:

22-36     (a) Except for a charter school, administrators at the district

22-37  level employed by the board of trustees of the school district in

22-38  which the school is located;

22-39     (b) Except for a charter school, one or more members of the

22-40  board of trustees of the school district in which the school is

22-41  located;

22-42     (c) Representatives of the Department;

22-43     (d) Representatives of institutions of higher education;

22-44     (e) Representatives of regional educational laboratories;

22-45     (f) Representatives of outside consultant groups;


23-1      (g) Representatives of the regional training program for the

23-2  professional development of teachers and administrators

23-3  established pursuant to NRS 391.512 that provides services to the

23-4  school district in which the school is located;

23-5      (h) The Bureau; and

23-6      (i) Other persons who the board of trustees of the school

23-7  district or the Department, as applicable, determines are

23-8  appropriate.

23-9      Sec. 18.  1.  Each support team established for a public

23-10  school shall:

23-11     (a) Review and analyze the operation of the school, including,

23-12  without limitation, the design and operation of the instructional

23-13  program of the school.

23-14     (b) Review and analyze the data pertaining to the school upon

23-15  which the report required pursuant to subsection 2 of NRS

23-16  385.347 is based and review and analyze any data that is more

23-17  recent than the data upon which the report is based.

23-18     (c) Review the most recent plan to improve the achievement of

23-19  the school’s pupils prepared pursuant to section 9 of this act.

23-20     (d) Identify and investigate the problems and factors at the

23-21  school that contributed to the designation of the school as

23-22  demonstrating need for improvement.

23-23     (e) Assist the school in developing recommendations for

23-24  improving the performance of pupils who are enrolled in the

23-25  school.

23-26     (f) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, make

23-27  recommendations to the board of trustees of the school district, the

23-28  State Board and the Department concerning additional assistance

23-29  for the school and the support team in carrying out the plan for

23-30  improvement of the school. For a charter school sponsored by the

23-31  State Board, the support team shall make the recommendations to

23-32  the State Board and the Department.

23-33     (g) In accordance with its findings pursuant to this subsection

23-34  and section 19 of this act, adopt written revisions to the most

23-35  recent plan to improve the achievement of the school’s pupils. The

23-36  written revisions must:

23-37         (1) Comply with section 9 of this act;

23-38         (2) Include the data and findings of the support team that

23-39  provide support for the revisions;

23-40         (3) Set forth goals and objectives for the school that are:

23-41             (I) Designed to improve the achievement of the school’s

23-42  pupils;

23-43             (II) Specific;

23-44             (III) Measurable; and

23-45             (IV) Conducive to reliable evaluation;


24-1          (4) Set forth a timeline to carry out the revisions;

24-2          (5) Set forth priorities for the school in carrying out the

24-3  revisions; and

24-4          (6) Set forth the duties of each person who is responsible

24-5  for carrying out the revisions.

24-6      (h) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, work

24-7  cooperatively with the board of trustees of the school district in

24-8  which the school is located, the employees of the school, and the

24-9  parents and guardians of pupils enrolled in the school to carry out

24-10  and monitor the plan for improvement of the school. If a charter

24-11  school is sponsored by the State Board, the Department shall assist

24-12  the school with carrying out and monitoring the plan for

24-13  improvement of the school.

24-14     2.  A support team established for a school may hold a public

24-15  meeting to discuss the actions that the school will need to take to

24-16  assist the school with receiving a designation of demonstrating

24-17  exemplary achievement, high achievement or adequate

24-18  achievement.

24-19     Sec. 19. 1.  In addition to the duties prescribed in section 18

24-20  of this act, a support team established for a school shall prepare

24-21  an annual written report that includes:

24-22     (a) Information concerning the most recent plan to improve

24-23  the achievement of the school’s pupils, including, without

24-24  limitation, an evaluation of:

24-25         (1) The appropriateness of the plan for the school; and

24-26         (2) Whether the school has achieved the goals and

24-27  objectives set forth in the plan;

24-28     (b) The written revisions to the plan to improve the

24-29  achievement of the school’s pupils adopted by the support team

24-30  pursuant to section 18 of this act;

24-31     (c) A summary of each program for remediation, if any,

24-32  purchased for the school with money that is available from the

24-33  Federal Government, this state and the school district in which the

24-34  school is located, including, without limitation:

24-35         (1) The name of the program;

24-36         (2) The date on which the program was purchased and the

24-37  date on which the program was carried out by the school;

24-38         (3) The percentage of personnel at the school who were

24-39  trained regarding the use of the program;

24-40         (4) The satisfaction of the personnel at the school with the

24-41  program; and

24-42         (5) An evaluation of whether the program has improved the

24-43  academic achievement of the pupils enrolled in the school who

24-44  participated in the program;


25-1      (d) An analysis of the problems and factors at the school

25-2  which contributed to the designation of the school as

25-3  demonstrating need for improvement, including, without

25-4  limitation, issues relating to:

25-5          (1) The financial resources of the school;

25-6          (2) The administrative and educational personnel of the

25-7  school;

25-8          (3) The curriculum of the school;

25-9          (4) The facilities available at the school, including the

25-10  availability and accessibility of educational technology; and

25-11         (5) Any other factors that the support team believes

25-12  contributed to the designation of the school as demonstrating need

25-13  for improvement; and

25-14     (e) Other information concerning the school, including,

25-15  without limitation:

25-16         (1) The results of the pupils who are enrolled in the school

25-17  on the examinations that are administered pursuant to NRS

25-18  389.015 and 389.550;

25-19         (2) Records of the attendance and truancy of pupils who

25-20  are enrolled in the school;

25-21         (3) The transiency rate of pupils who are enrolled in the

25-22  school;

25-23         (4) A description of the number of years that each teacher

25-24  has provided instruction at the school and the rate of turnover of

25-25  teachers and other educational personnel employed at the school;

25-26         (5) A description of the participation of parents and legal

25-27  guardians in the educational process and other activities relating

25-28  to the school;

25-29         (6) A description of each source of money for the

25-30  remediation of pupils who are enrolled in the school; and

25-31         (7) A description of the disciplinary problems of the pupils

25-32  who are enrolled in the school, including, without limitation, the

25-33  information contained in paragraphs (k) to (n), inclusive, of

25-34  subsection 2 of NRS 385.347.

25-35     2.  On or before April 15, the support team shall submit a copy

25-36  of the final written report to the:

25-37     (a) Principal of the school;

25-38     (b) Board of trustees of the school district in which the school

25-39  is located;

25-40     (c) Superintendent of schools of the school district in which

25-41  the school is located;

25-42     (d) Department; and

25-43     (e) Bureau.


26-1  The support team shall make the written report available, upon

26-2  request, to each parent or legal guardian of a pupil who is

26-3  enrolled in the school.

26-4      Sec. 20.  1.  If a public school is designated as

26-5  demonstrating need for improvement pursuant to section 14 of this

26-6  act for a third consecutive year, the support team established for

26-7  the school pursuant to section 16 of this act shall revise the most

26-8  recent plan for improvement of the school for submission to:

26-9      (a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b), the

26-10  superintendent of schools of the school district.

26-11     (b) For a charter school sponsored by the State Board, the

26-12  Department.

26-13  The revision, submission and approval of the revised plan must

26-14  comply with sections 9 and 18 of this act.

26-15     2.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, if a public

26-16  school is designated as demonstrating need for improvement

26-17  pursuant to section 14 of this act for a third consecutive year, the

26-18  board of trustees of the school district shall:

26-19     (a) Provide notice of the designation to the parents and

26-20  guardians of pupils enrolled in the school on the form prescribed

26-21  by the Department pursuant to section 36 of this act;

26-22     (b) Ensure that the school receives technical assistance in the

26-23  manner set forth in 20 U.S.C. § 6316(b)(4) and the regulations

26-24  adopted pursuant thereto; and

26-25     (c) Continue the support team for the school, with membership

26-26  prescribed pursuant to section 17 of this act.

26-27     3.  If a charter school sponsored by the State Board is

26-28  designated as demonstrating need for improvement pursuant to

26-29  section 14 of this act for a third consecutive year, the Department

26-30  shall:

26-31     (a) Provide notice of the designation to the parents and

26-32  guardians of pupils enrolled in the school on the form prescribed

26-33  by the Department pursuant to section 36 of this act;

26-34     (b) Ensure that the school receives technical assistance in the

26-35  manner set forth in 20 U.S.C. § 6316(b)(4) and the regulations

26-36  adopted pursuant thereto; and

26-37     (c) Continue a support team for the school, with the

26-38  membership prescribed pursuant to section 17 of this act.

26-39     4.  Except as otherwise provided in section 21 of this act, in

26-40  addition to the requirements of subsection 2 or 3, as applicable, if

26-41  a Title I school is designated as demonstrating need for

26-42  improvement pursuant to section 14 of this act for a third

26-43  consecutive year:

26-44     (a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b), the board

26-45  of trustees of the school district shall:


27-1          (1) Provide school choice to the parents and guardians of

27-2  pupils enrolled in the school in accordance with 20 U.S.C. §

27-3  6316(b)(1) and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

27-4          (2) Provide supplemental educational services in

27-5  accordance with 20 U.S.C. § 6316(e) and the regulations adopted

27-6  pursuant thereto from a provider approved pursuant to section 37

27-7  of this act, unless a waiver is granted pursuant to that provision of

27-8  federal law.

27-9      (b) For a charter school sponsored by the State Board:

27-10         (1) The Department shall work cooperatively with the board

27-11  of trustees of the school district in which the charter school is

27-12  located to provide school choice to the parents and guardians of

27-13  pupils enrolled in the school in accordance with 20 U.S.C. §

27-14  6316(b)(1) and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

27-15         (2) The governing body of the charter school shall provide

27-16  supplemental educational services in accordance with 20 U.S.C. §

27-17  6316(e) and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto from a

27-18  provider approved pursuant to section 37 of this act, unless a

27-19  waiver is granted pursuant to that provision of federal law.

27-20     Sec. 21.  1.  The requirements of subsection 4 of section 20

27-21  of this act do not apply to a Title I school designated as

27-22  demonstrating need for improvement for a third consecutive year

27-23  if:

27-24     (a) The school was designated as demonstrating need for

27-25  improvement for a third consecutive year pursuant to paragraph

27-26  (b) of subsection 4 of section 14 of this act; or

27-27     (b) The school was designated as demonstrating need for

27-28  improvement for a third consecutive year pursuant to paragraph

27-29  (a) of subsection 4 of section 14 of this act for failing to make

27-30  adequate yearly progress but the Department determines that the

27-31  failure is attributable to exceptional or uncontrollable

27-32  circumstances.

27-33     2.  If an exception applies to a Title I school pursuant to

27-34  subsection 1 and:

27-35     (a) The school makes adequate yearly progress for a second

27-36  consecutive year and at least 60 percent of all pupils in all grades

27-37  enrolled at the school who took the examinations administered

27-38  pursuant to NRS 389.015 received an average score on those

27-39  examinations that is at least equal to the 26th percentile of the

27-40  national reference group to which the examinations were

27-41  compared, the designation of the school as demonstrating need for

27-42  improvement must be removed.

27-43     (b) The school fails to make adequate yearly progress in the

27-44  year immediately following the year in which the exception

27-45  applied or less than 60 percent of all pupils in all grades enrolled


28-1  at the school who took the examinations administered pursuant to

28-2  NRS 389.015 received an average score on those examinations

28-3  that is at least equal to the 26th percentile of the national

28-4  reference group to which the examinations were compared, the

28-5  Department shall designate the school as demonstrating need for

28-6  improvement for a fourth consecutive year and the provisions of

28-7  section 22 of this act apply to the school as if the exception

28-8  pursuant to subsection 1 never occurred.

28-9      Sec. 22.  1.  If a public school is designated as

28-10  demonstrating need for improvement pursuant to section 14 of this

28-11  act for a fourth consecutive year, the support team established for

28-12  the school pursuant to this section shall revise the most recent

28-13  plan for improvement of the school for submission to:

28-14     (a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b), the

28-15  superintendent of schools of the school district.

28-16     (b) For a charter school sponsored by the State Board, the

28-17  Department.

28-18  The revision, submission and approval of the plan must comply

28-19  with sections 9 and 18 of this act.

28-20     2.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, if a public

28-21  school is designated as demonstrating need for improvement

28-22  pursuant to section 14 of this act for a fourth consecutive year:

28-23     (a) The board of trustees of the school district shall:

28-24         (1) Provide notice of the designation to the parents and

28-25  guardians of pupils enrolled in the school on the form prescribed

28-26  by the Department pursuant to section 36 of this act; and

28-27         (2) Ensure that the school receives technical assistance in

28-28  the manner set forth in 20 U.S.C. § 6316(b)(4) and the regulations

28-29  adopted pursuant thereto.

28-30     (b) The Department shall establish a support team for the

28-31  school, with the membership prescribed pursuant to section 23 of

28-32  this act.

28-33     3.  If a charter school sponsored by the State Board is

28-34  designated as demonstrating need for improvement pursuant to

28-35  section 14 of this act for a fourth consecutive year, the Department

28-36  shall:

28-37     (a) Provide notice of the designation to the parents and

28-38  guardians of pupils enrolled in the school on the form prescribed

28-39  by the Department pursuant to section 36 of this act;

28-40     (b) Ensure that the school receives technical assistance in the

28-41  manner set forth in 20 U.S.C. § 6316(b)(4) and the regulations

28-42  adopted pursuant thereto; and

28-43     (c) Establish a support team for the school, with the

28-44  membership prescribed pursuant to section 23 of this act.


29-1      4.  Except as otherwise provided in section 24 of this act, in

29-2  addition to the requirements of subsections 1 and 2 or 3, as

29-3  applicable, if a Title I school is designated as demonstrating need

29-4  for improvement pursuant to section 14 of this act for a fourth

29-5  consecutive year:

29-6      (a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b), the board

29-7  of trustees of the school district shall:

29-8          (1) Provide school choice to the parents and guardians of

29-9  pupils enrolled in the school in accordance with 20 U.S.C. §

29-10  6316(b)(1) and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto;

29-11         (2) Provide supplemental educational services in

29-12  accordance with 20 U.S.C. § 6316(e) and the regulations adopted

29-13  pursuant thereto from a provider approved pursuant to section 37

29-14  of this act, unless a waiver is granted pursuant to that provision of

29-15  federal law; and

29-16         (3) Take corrective action pursuant to 20 U.S.C. §

29-17  6316(b)(7) and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

29-18     (b) For a charter school sponsored by the State Board:

29-19         (1) The Department shall work cooperatively with the board

29-20  of trustees of the school district in which the charter school is

29-21  located to provide school choice to the parents and guardians of

29-22  pupils enrolled in the school in accordance with 20 U.S.C. §

29-23  6316(b)(1) and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto;

29-24         (2) The governing body of the charter school shall provide

29-25  supplemental educational services in accordance with 20 U.S.C. §

29-26  6316(e) and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto from a

29-27  provider approved pursuant to section 37 of this act, unless a

29-28  waiver is granted pursuant to that provision of federal law; and

29-29         (3) The Department shall take corrective action pursuant to

29-30  20 U.S.C. § 6316(b)(7) and the regulations adopted pursuant

29-31  thereto.

29-32     5.  Except as otherwise provided in section 25 of this act, if a

29-33  public school that is not a Title I school is designated as

29-34  demonstrating need for improvement pursuant to section 14 of this

29-35  act for a fourth consecutive year, the support team established for

29-36  the school pursuant to this section shall consider whether

29-37  corrective action is appropriate for the school. If the support team

29-38  determines that corrective action is appropriate, the support team

29-39  shall make a recommendation to the Department for corrective

29-40  action against the school, including, without limitation, the type of

29-41  corrective action that is recommended. Regardless of whether a

29-42  support team recommends corrective action for a school, the

29-43  Department may take one or more of the following corrective

29-44  actions against the school:


30-1      (a) Replace employees at the school if the Department

30-2  determines, in consultation with the board of trustees of the school

30-3  district, that those employees contributed to the failure of the

30-4  school to make adequate yearly progress.

30-5      (b) Develop and carry out a new curriculum at the school,

30-6  including the provision of appropriate professional development

30-7  relating to the new curriculum.

30-8      (c) Decrease the number of employees at the school who carry

30-9  out managerial duties.

30-10     (d) Appoint an expert to advise the school regarding its

30-11  progress toward making adequate yearly progress based upon the

30-12  plan for improvement of the school.

30-13     (e) Extend the school year or the school day.

30-14     (f) Restructure the internal organization of the school.

30-15     Sec. 23.  1.  The membership of each support team

30-16  established pursuant to section 22 of this act:

30-17     (a) Must consist of, without limitation:

30-18         (1) Teachers and principals who are considered highly

30-19  qualified and who are not employees of the public school for

30-20  which the support team is established;

30-21         (2) At least one representative of the Department;

30-22         (3) Except for a charter school, at least one administrator

30-23  at the district level who is employed by the board of trustees of the

30-24  school district; and

30-25         (4) At least one parent or guardian of a pupil who is

30-26  enrolled in the public school for which the support team is

30-27  established.

30-28     (b) May consist of, without limitation:

30-29         (1) Except for a charter school, one or more members of

30-30  the board of trustees of the school district in which the school is

30-31  located;

30-32         (2) Representatives of institutions of higher education;

30-33         (3) Representatives of regional educational laboratories;

30-34         (4) Representatives of outside consultant groups;

30-35         (5) Representatives of the regional training program for the

30-36  professional development of teachers and administrators

30-37  established pursuant to NRS 391.512 that provides services to the

30-38  school district in which the school is located;

30-39         (6) The Bureau; and

30-40         (7) Other persons who the Department determines are

30-41  appropriate.

30-42     2.  In addition to the duties prescribed by sections 18 and 19

30-43  of this act, a support team established for a school pursuant to this

30-44  section shall:


31-1      (a) Hold at least one annual public meeting to discuss the

31-2  actions that the school will need to take to assist the school with

31-3  receiving a designation of demonstrating exemplary achievement,

31-4  high achievement or adequate achievement.

31-5      (b) Review, at least semiannually, the effectiveness of

31-6  educational personnel employed at the school, including, without

31-7  limitation:

31-8          (1) Identifying teachers and principals who are considered

31-9  outstanding in their profession; and

31-10         (2) Making findings and recommendations concerning the

31-11  educational personnel to the principal of the school, the board of

31-12  trustees of the school district or the governing body of the charter

31-13  school, as applicable, and, if appropriate, the Department.

31-14     Sec. 24.  1.  The requirements of subsection 4 of section 22

31-15  of this act do not apply to a Title I school designated as

31-16  demonstrating need for improvement for a fourth consecutive year

31-17  if:

31-18     (a) The school was designated as demonstrating need for

31-19  improvement for a fourth consecutive year pursuant to paragraph

31-20  (b) of subsection 4 of section 14 of this act; or

31-21     (b) The school was designated as demonstrating need for

31-22  improvement for a fourth consecutive year pursuant to paragraph

31-23  (a) of subsection 4 of section 14 of this act for failing to make

31-24  adequate yearly progress but the Department determines that the

31-25  failure is attributable to exceptional or uncontrollable

31-26  circumstances.

31-27     2.  If an exception applies to a Title I school pursuant to

31-28  subsection 1 and:

31-29     (a) The school makes adequate yearly progress for a second

31-30  consecutive year and at least 60 percent of all pupils in all grades

31-31  enrolled at the school who took the examinations administered

31-32  pursuant to NRS 389.015 received an average score on those

31-33  examinations that is at least equal to the 26th percentile of the

31-34  national reference group to which the examinations were

31-35  compared, the designation of the school as demonstrating need for

31-36  improvement must be removed.

31-37     (b) The school fails to make adequate yearly progress in the

31-38  year immediately following the year in which the exception

31-39  applied or less than 60 percent of all pupils in all grades enrolled

31-40  at the school who took the examinations administered pursuant to

31-41  NRS 389.015 received an average score on those examinations

31-42  that is at least equal to the 26th percentile of the national

31-43  reference group to which the examinations were compared, the

31-44  Department shall designate the school as demonstrating need for

31-45  improvement for a fifth consecutive year and the provisions of


32-1  section 26 of this act apply as if the exception pursuant to

32-2  subsection 1 never occurred.

32-3      Sec. 25.  1.  The provisions of subsection 5 of section 22 of

32-4  this act do not apply to a public school designated as

32-5  demonstrating need for improvement for a fourth consecutive year

32-6  if:

32-7      (a) The school was designated as demonstrating need for

32-8  improvement for a fourth consecutive year pursuant to paragraph

32-9  (b) of subsection 4 of section 14 of this act; or

32-10     (b) The school was designated as demonstrating need for

32-11  improvement for a fourth consecutive year pursuant to paragraph

32-12  (a) of subsection 4 of section 14 of this act for failing to make

32-13  adequate yearly progress but the Department determines that the

32-14  failure is attributable to exceptional or uncontrollable

32-15  circumstances.

32-16     2.  If an exception applies to a public school pursuant to

32-17  subsection 1 and:

32-18     (a) The school makes adequate yearly progress for a second

32-19  consecutive year and at least 60 percent of all pupils in all grades

32-20  enrolled at the school who took the examinations administered

32-21  pursuant to NRS 389.015 received an average score on those

32-22  examinations that is at least equal to the 26th percentile of the

32-23  national reference group to which the examinations were

32-24  compared, the designation of the school as demonstrating need for

32-25  improvement must be removed.

32-26     (b) The school fails to make adequate yearly progress in the

32-27  year immediately following the year in which the exception

32-28  applied or less than 60 percent of all pupils in all grades enrolled

32-29  at the school who took the examinations administered pursuant to

32-30  NRS 389.015 received an average score on those examinations

32-31  that is at least equal to the 26th percentile of the national

32-32  reference group to which the examinations were compared, the

32-33  Department shall designate the school as demonstrating need for

32-34  improvement for a fifth consecutive year and the provisions of

32-35  section 26 of this act apply as if the exception pursuant to

32-36  subsection 1 never occurred.

32-37     Sec. 26.  1.  If a public school is designated as

32-38  demonstrating need for improvement pursuant to section 14 of this

32-39  act for a fifth consecutive year, the support team established for

32-40  the school pursuant to section 22 of this act shall revise the most

32-41  recent plan for improvement of the school for submission to:

32-42     (a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b), the

32-43  superintendent of schools of the school district.

32-44     (b) For a charter school sponsored by the State Board, the

32-45  Department.


33-1  The revision, submission and approval of the plan must comply

33-2  with sections 9 and 18 of this act.

33-3      2.  If a public school is designated as demonstrating need for

33-4  improvement pursuant to section 14 of this act for a fifth

33-5  consecutive year:

33-6      (a) The board of trustees of the school district shall carry out

33-7  the requirements of paragraph (a) of subsection 2 of section 22 of

33-8  this act and the Department shall continue a support team for the

33-9  school.

33-10     (b) For a charter school sponsored by the State Board, the

33-11  Department shall carry out the requirements of subsection 3 of

33-12  section 22 of this act and continue a support team for the school.

33-13     3.  Except as otherwise provided in section 28 of this act, in

33-14  addition to the requirements of subsection 2, if a Title I school is

33-15  designated as demonstrating need for improvement pursuant to

33-16  section 14 of this act for a fifth consecutive year:

33-17     (a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b), the board

33-18  of trustees of the school district shall:

33-19         (1) Provide school choice to the parents and guardians of

33-20  pupils enrolled in the school in accordance with 20 U.S.C. §

33-21  6316(b)(1) and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto;

33-22         (2) Provide supplemental educational services in

33-23  accordance with 20 U.S.C. § 6316(e) and the regulations adopted

33-24  pursuant thereto from a provider approved pursuant to section 37

33-25  of this act, unless a waiver is granted pursuant to that provision of

33-26  federal law; and

33-27         (3) Proceed with a plan for restructuring the school if

33-28  required by 20 U.S.C. § 6316(b)(8) and the regulations adopted

33-29  pursuant thereto.

33-30     (b) For a charter school sponsored by the State Board:

33-31         (1) The Department shall work cooperatively with the board

33-32  of trustees of the school district in which the charter school is

33-33  located to provide school choice to the parents and guardians of

33-34  pupils enrolled in the school in accordance with 20 U.S.C. §

33-35  6316(b)(1) and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto;

33-36         (2) The governing body of the charter school shall provide

33-37  supplemental educational services in accordance with 20 U.S.C. §

33-38  6316(e) and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto from a

33-39  provider approved pursuant to section 37 of this act, unless a

33-40  waiver is granted pursuant to that provision of federal law; and

33-41         (3) The Department shall proceed with a plan for

33-42  restructuring the school if required by 20 U.S.C. § 6316(b)(8) and

33-43  the regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

33-44     4.  Except as otherwise provided in section 29 of this act, if a

33-45  public school that is not a Title I school is designated as


34-1  demonstrating need for improvement pursuant to section 14 of this

34-2  act for a fifth consecutive year, the support team for the school

34-3  shall:

34-4      (a) If corrective action was not taken against the school

34-5  pursuant to subsection 5 of section 22 of this act, consider whether

34-6  corrective action is appropriate for the school.

34-7      (b) If corrective action was taken against the school pursuant

34-8  to subsection 5 of section 22 of this act, consider whether further

34-9  corrective action is appropriate or whether a plan for

34-10  restructuring the school is appropriate.

34-11  Regardless of whether a support team recommends corrective

34-12  action or restructuring for a school, the Department may take

34-13  corrective action as set forth in subsection 5 of section 22 of this

34-14  act or proceed with a plan for restructuring the school as set forth

34-15  in section 27 of this act.

34-16     5.  Before the board of trustees of a school district or the

34-17  Department proceeds with a plan for restructuring pursuant to

34-18  subsection 3 or 4, the board of trustees or the Department, as

34-19  applicable, shall provide to the administrators, teachers and other

34-20  educational personnel employed at that school, and parents and

34-21  guardians of pupils enrolled in the school:

34-22     (a) Notice that the board of trustees or the Department, as

34-23  applicable, will develop a plan for restructuring the school;

34-24     (b) An opportunity to comment before the plan to restructure is

34-25  developed; and

34-26     (c) An opportunity to participate in the development of the

34-27  plan to restructure.

34-28     Sec. 27.  1.  If restructuring for a school is required

34-29  pursuant to 20 U.S.C. § 6316(b)(8) or if the Department

34-30  determines that restructuring is appropriate for a school pursuant

34-31  to subsection 4 of section 26 of this act, the board of trustees of the

34-32  school district or the Department, as applicable, shall carry out a

34-33  plan for restructuring that includes:

34-34     (a) Reopening the school as a charter school pursuant to NRS

34-35  386.500 to 386.610, inclusive, and section 46 of this act;

34-36     (b) Replacing those employees at the school who contributed to

34-37  the failure of the school to make adequate yearly progress;

34-38     (c) Entering into a contract with an entity, including, without

34-39  limitation, a private management company, with a demonstrated

34-40  record of effectiveness to operate the public school;

34-41     (d) If the board of trustees is responsible for restructuring,

34-42  requesting that the Department oversee the operation of the public

34-43  school;


35-1      (e) If the Department is responsible for restructuring,

35-2  designating the Department as responsible for overseeing the

35-3  operation of the school; or

35-4      (f) Taking any other action to restructure the governance of

35-5  the school if the action is designed to improve the academic

35-6  achievement of pupils enrolled in the school and has substantial

35-7  promise of ensuring that the school makes adequate yearly

35-8  progress.

35-9      2.  Before the board of trustees of a school district or the

35-10  Department takes action pursuant to subsection 1, the board of

35-11  trustees or the Department, as applicable, shall provide to the

35-12  administrators, teachers and other educational personnel

35-13  employed at that school, and the parents and guardians of pupils

35-14  enrolled in the school:

35-15     (a) Notice that a plan for restructuring will be carried out at

35-16  the school; and

35-17     (b) An opportunity to comment on the appropriate action that

35-18  should be carried out pursuant to subsection 1.

35-19     Sec. 28.  1.  The requirements of subsection 3 of section 26

35-20  of this act do not apply to a Title I school designated as

35-21  demonstrating need for improvement for a fifth consecutive year

35-22  if:

35-23     (a) The school was designated as demonstrating need for

35-24  improvement for a fifth consecutive year pursuant to paragraph

35-25  (b) of subsection 4 of section 14 of this act; or

35-26     (b) The school was designated as demonstrating need for

35-27  improvement for a fifth consecutive year pursuant to paragraph

35-28  (a) of subsection 4 of section 14 of this act for failing to make

35-29  adequate yearly progress but the Department determines that the

35-30  failure is attributable to exceptional or uncontrollable

35-31  circumstances.

35-32     2.  If an exception applies to a Title I school pursuant to

35-33  subsection 1 and:

35-34     (a) The school makes adequate yearly progress for a second

35-35  consecutive year and at least 60 percent of all pupils in all grades

35-36  enrolled at the school who took the examinations administered

35-37  pursuant to NRS 389.015 received an average score on those

35-38  examinations that is at least equal to the 26th percentile of the

35-39  national reference group to which the examinations were

35-40  compared, the designation of the school as demonstrating need for

35-41  improvement must be removed.

35-42     (b) The school fails to make adequate yearly progress in the

35-43  year immediately following the year in which the exception

35-44  applied or less than 60 percent of all pupils in all grades enrolled

35-45  at the school who took the examinations administered pursuant to


36-1  NRS 389.015 received an average score on those examinations

36-2  that is at least equal to the 26th percentile of the national

36-3  reference group to which the examinations were compared, the

36-4  Department shall designate the school as demonstrating need for

36-5  improvement for a sixth consecutive year and the school district or

36-6  the Department, as applicable, shall proceed with restructuring as

36-7  if the exception pursuant to subsection 1 never occurred.

36-8      Sec. 29.  1.  The provisions of subsection 4 of section 26 of

36-9  this act do not apply to a public school designated as

36-10  demonstrating need for improvement for a fifth consecutive year

36-11  if:

36-12     (a) The school was designated as demonstrating need for

36-13  improvement for a fifth consecutive year pursuant to paragraph

36-14  (b) of subsection 4 of section 14 of this act; or

36-15     (b) The school was designated as demonstrating need for

36-16  improvement for a fifth consecutive year pursuant to paragraph

36-17  (a) of subsection 4 of section 14 of this act for failing to make

36-18  adequate yearly progress but the Department determines that the

36-19  failure is attributable to exceptional or uncontrollable

36-20  circumstances.

36-21     2.  If an exception applies to a public school pursuant to

36-22  subsection 1 and:

36-23     (a) The school makes adequate yearly progress for a second

36-24  consecutive year and at least 60 percent of all pupils in all grades

36-25  enrolled at the school who took the examinations administered

36-26  pursuant to NRS 389.015 received an average score on those

36-27  examinations that is at least equal to the 26th percentile of the

36-28  national reference group to which the examinations were

36-29  compared, the designation of the school as demonstrating need for

36-30  improvement must be removed.

36-31     (b) The school fails to make adequate yearly progress in the

36-32  year immediately following the year in which the exception

36-33  applied or less than 60 percent of all pupils in all grades enrolled

36-34  at the school who took the examinations administered pursuant to

36-35  NRS 389.015 received an average score on those examinations

36-36  that is at least equal to the 26th percentile of the national

36-37  reference group to which the examinations were compared, the

36-38  Department shall designate the school as demonstrating need for

36-39  improvement for a sixth consecutive year and the school district or

36-40  the Department, as applicable, may proceed with restructuring as

36-41  if the exception pursuant to subsection 1 never occurred.

36-42     Sec. 30.  1.  On or before January 1 of each year, the

36-43  Department shall determine whether each school district is

36-44  making adequate yearly progress, as defined by the State Board

36-45  pursuant to section 4 of this act. If a charter school is sponsored


37-1  by the board of trustees of a school district, the pupils who are

37-2  enrolled in the charter school must be included in the

37-3  determination made for that school district.

37-4      2.  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the

37-5  Department shall determine that a school district has failed to

37-6  make adequate yearly progress if any subgroup of pupils identified

37-7  in paragraph (d) of subsection 1 of section 4 of this act who are

37-8  enrolled in the school district does not satisfy the annual

37-9  measurable objectives established by the State Board pursuant to

37-10  that section. To comply with 20 U.S.C. § 6311(b)(2)(I) and the

37-11  regulations adopted pursuant thereto, the State Board shall

37-12  prescribe by regulation the conditions under which a school

37-13  district shall be deemed to have made adequate yearly progress

37-14  even though a subgroup of pupils identified in paragraph (d) of

37-15  subsection 1 of section 4 of this act who are enrolled in the school

37-16  district did not satisfy the annual measurable objectives of the

37-17  State Board.

37-18     3.  In addition to the provisions of subsection 2, the

37-19  Department shall determine that a school district has failed to

37-20  make adequate yearly progress if:

37-21     (a) The number of pupils enrolled in the school district who

37-22  took the examinations administered pursuant to NRS 389.015 and

37-23  389.550 is less than 95 percent of all pupils enrolled in the school

37-24  district who were required to take the examinations; or

37-25     (b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, for each

37-26  subgroup of pupils identified in paragraph (d) of subsection 1 of

37-27  section 4 of this act, the number of pupils enrolled in the school

37-28  district who took the examinations administered pursuant to NRS

37-29  389.015 and 389.550 is less than 95 percent of all pupils in the

37-30  subgroup who were required to take the examinations.

37-31     4.  If the number of pupils in a particular subgroup who are

37-32  enrolled in a school district is insufficient to yield statistically

37-33  reliable information:

37-34     (a) The Department shall not determine that the school district

37-35  has failed to make adequate yearly progress pursuant to

37-36  paragraph (b) of subsection 3 based solely upon that particular

37-37  subgroup.

37-38     (b) The pupils in such a subgroup must be included in the

37-39  overall count of pupils enrolled in the school district who took the

37-40  examinations.

37-41  The State Board shall prescribe the mechanism for determining

37-42  the minimum number of pupils that must be in a subgroup for that

37-43  subgroup to yield statistically reliable information.


38-1      Sec. 31.  1.  The Department shall designate, on or before

38-2  January 1 of each year, each school district pursuant to section 32

38-3  of this act.

38-4      2.  If the Department determines that a school district is

38-5  demonstrating need for improvement, the Department shall issue a

38-6  preliminary designation for that school district on January 1.

38-7  Before making a final designation for a school district, the

38-8  Department shall provide the school district an opportunity to

38-9  review the data upon which the proposed designation is based and

38-10  to present evidence as set forth in 20 U.S.C. § 6316(c)(5) and the

38-11  regulations adopted pursuant thereto. Not later than 30 days after

38-12  providing the school district an opportunity to review the data, the

38-13  Department shall make a final determination concerning the

38-14  designation of the school district.

38-15     3.  On or before February 1 of each year, the Department

38-16  shall provide written notice of the determinations made pursuant

38-17  to section 30 of this act and the final designations made pursuant

38-18  to section 32 of this act as follows:

38-19     (a) The determinations made for all school districts in this

38-20  state to the:

38-21         (1) Governor;

38-22         (2) State Board;

38-23         (3) Committee; and

38-24         (4) Bureau.

38-25     (b) The determination made for a school district to the:

38-26         (1) Superintendent of schools of the school district; and

38-27         (2) Board of trustees of the school district.

38-28     4.  On or before February 1 of each year, the Department

38-29  shall make public the results of the review of school districts

38-30  pursuant to this section and disseminate the results to school

38-31  personnel, parents and guardians, pupils and members of the

38-32  general public. The publication and distribution must be made in

38-33  the manner set forth in 20 U.S.C. § 6316(c)(1) and the regulations

38-34  adopted pursuant thereto.

38-35     Sec. 32.  1.  Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b)

38-36  of subsection 4, a school district must be designated as

38-37  demonstrating exemplary achievement if:

38-38     (a) The school district makes adequate yearly progress, as

38-39  determined by the Department pursuant to section 30 of this act;

38-40  and

38-41     (b) At least 50 percent of all pupils in all grades enrolled in

38-42  public schools in the school district who took the examinations

38-43  administered pursuant to NRS 389.015 received an average score

38-44  on those examinations that is at least equal to the 76th percentile


39-1  of the national reference group to which the examinations were

39-2  compared.

39-3      2.  Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of

39-4  subsection 4, a school district must be designated as demonstrating

39-5  high achievement if:

39-6      (a) The school district makes adequate yearly progress, as

39-7  determined by the Department pursuant to section 30 of this act;

39-8  and

39-9      (b) At least 40 percent of all pupils in all grades enrolled in

39-10  public schools in the school district who took the examinations

39-11  administered pursuant to NRS 389.015 received an average score

39-12  on those examinations that is at least equal to the 76th percentile

39-13  of the national reference group to which the examinations were

39-14  compared.

39-15     3.  Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of

39-16  subsection 4, a school district must be designated as demonstrating

39-17  adequate achievement if:

39-18     (a) The school district makes adequate yearly progress, as

39-19  determined by the Department pursuant to section 30 of this act;

39-20  and

39-21     (b) At least 60 percent of all pupils in all grades enrolled in

39-22  public schools in the school district who took the examinations

39-23  administered pursuant to NRS 389.015 received an average score

39-24  on those examinations that is at least equal to the 26th percentile

39-25  of the national reference group to which the examinations were

39-26  compared.

39-27     4.  A school district must be designated as demonstrating need

39-28  for improvement if:

39-29     (a) The school district fails to make adequate yearly progress,

39-30  as determined by the Department pursuant to section 30 of this

39-31  act, or less than 60 percent of all pupils in all grades enrolled in

39-32  the school district who took the examinations administered

39-33  pursuant to NRS 389.015 received an average score on those

39-34  examinations that is at least equal to the 26th percentile of the

39-35  national reference group to which the examinations were

39-36  compared; or

39-37     (b) The school district makes adequate yearly progress, as

39-38  determined by the Department pursuant to section 30 of this act,

39-39  but was designated as demonstrating need for improvement

39-40  pursuant to paragraph (a) in the immediately preceding year for

39-41  failing to make adequate yearly progress.

39-42     5.  If a school district is designated as demonstrating need for

39-43  improvement pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection 4, the

39-44  designation of the school district as demonstrating need for

39-45  improvement must not be removed until:


40-1      (a) The school district has made adequate yearly progress for 2

40-2  consecutive years; and

40-3      (b) At least 60 percent of all pupils in all grades enrolled in the

40-4  school who take the examinations administered pursuant to NRS

40-5  389.015 receive an average score on those examinations that is at

40-6  least equal to the 26th percentile of the national reference group

40-7  to which the examinations were compared.

40-8      Sec. 33.  1.  If a school district is designated as

40-9  demonstrating need for improvement pursuant to section 32 of this

40-10  act, the Department shall provide notice of the designation to the

40-11  parents and guardians of pupils enrolled in the school district on

40-12  the form prescribed by the Department pursuant to section 36 of

40-13  this act. The State Board shall prescribe by regulation the time by

40-14  which such notice must be provided.

40-15     2.  If a school district is designated as demonstrating need for

40-16  improvement pursuant to section 32 of this act, the Department

40-17  and any other entity authorized by the Department, including,

40-18  without limitation, the Bureau, shall provide technical assistance

40-19  to the school district in the manner set forth in 20 U.S.C. §

40-20  6316(c)(9) and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

40-21     3.  Except as otherwise provided in section 35 of this act, after

40-22  providing technical assistance pursuant to subsection 2, the

40-23  Department may take corrective action in the manner set forth in

40-24  20 U.S.C. § 6316(c)(10) and the regulations adopted pursuant

40-25  thereto against a school district that is designated as

40-26  demonstrating need for improvement, including, without

40-27  limitation, a school district that is not a Title I school district.

40-28     4.  Except as otherwise provided in section 35 of this act, if a

40-29  Title I school district is designated as demonstrating need for

40-30  improvement for a third consecutive year, the Department shall

40-31  take corrective action as set forth in 20 U.S.C. § 6316(c)(10) and

40-32  the regulations adopted pursuant thereto against the school

40-33  district.

40-34     Sec. 34.  1.  If corrective action for a school district is

40-35  required pursuant to 20 U.S.C. § 6316(c)(10) or if the Department

40-36  determines that corrective action is appropriate for a school

40-37  district pursuant to subsection 3 of section 33 of this act, the

40-38  Department shall take one or more of the following corrective

40-39  actions:

40-40     (a) Deferring money for programs or reducing money for

40-41  administrative purposes.

40-42     (b) Instituting and fully carrying out a new curriculum that is

40-43  based upon the standards of content and performance adopted by

40-44  the State Board pursuant to NRS 389.520, including, without


41-1  limitation, the provision of appropriate professional development

41-2  relating to the new curriculum.

41-3      (c) Replacing employees of the school district if the

41-4  Department determines that those employees contributed to the

41-5  failure of the school district to make adequate yearly progress.

41-6      (d) Removing particular schools within the school district from

41-7  the jurisdiction of the school district and establishing an

41-8  alternative system of governance and supervision for those

41-9  schools.

41-10     (e) Appointing a receiver or trustee to administer the affairs of

41-11  the school district.

41-12     (f) Taking appropriate steps to abolish the school district,

41-13  including, without limitation, making recommendations to the

41-14  Legislature for revisions to applicable statutes to abolish

41-15  the school district.

41-16     (g) Authorizing pupils to transfer from schools operated by the

41-17  school district to schools operated by another school district that

41-18  are not designated as demonstrating need for improvement.

41-19     2.  Before carrying out corrective action pursuant to this

41-20  section, the Department shall provide notice to the board of

41-21  trustees of the school district and an opportunity for a hearing.

41-22  The Department shall continue to provide technical assistance

41-23  pursuant to subsection 2 of section 33 of this act during the time

41-24  that the corrective action is carried out.

41-25     3.  If corrective action is taken against a school district

41-26  pursuant to this section, the Department shall, not later than 10

41-27  days after the corrective action is taken, provide notice to the

41-28  parents and guardians of pupils enrolled in the school district, the

41-29  Governor, the Committee, the Bureau and the general public

41-30  concerning the corrective action. The notice must comply with 20

41-31  U.S.C. § 6316(c)(10).

41-32     Sec. 35.  1.  If a school district is designated as

41-33  demonstrating need for improvement pursuant to section 32 of this

41-34  act for a third consecutive year, the corrective action authorized by

41-35  subsection 3 of section 33 of this act and the corrective action

41-36  required by subsection 4 of section 33 of this act must not be

41-37  carried out against the school district if:

41-38     (a) The school district was designated as demonstrating need

41-39  for improvement for a third consecutive year pursuant to

41-40  paragraph (b) of subsection 4 of section 32 of this act; or

41-41     (b) The school district was designated as demonstrating need

41-42  for improvement for a third consecutive year pursuant to

41-43  paragraph (a) of subsection 4 of section 32 of this act for failing to

41-44  make adequate yearly progress but the Department determines


42-1  that the failure is attributable to exceptional or uncontrollable

42-2  circumstances.

42-3      2.  If an exception applies to a school district pursuant to

42-4  subsection 1 and the school district:

42-5      (a) Makes adequate yearly progress for a second consecutive

42-6  year and at least 60 percent of all pupils in all grades enrolled in

42-7  public schools in the school district who took the examinations

42-8  administered pursuant to NRS 389.015 received an average score

42-9  on those examinations that is at least equal to the 26th percentile

42-10  of the national reference group to which the examinations were

42-11  compared, the designation of the school district as demonstrating

42-12  need for improvement must be removed.

42-13     (b) Fails to make adequate yearly progress in the year

42-14  immediately following the year in which the exception applied or

42-15  less than 60 percent of all pupils in all grades enrolled in public

42-16  schools in the school district who took the examinations

42-17  administered pursuant to NRS 389.015 received an average score

42-18  on those examinations that is at least equal to the 26th percentile

42-19  of the national reference group to which the examinations were

42-20  compared, the Department shall designate the school district as

42-21  demonstrating need for improvement for a fourth consecutive year

42-22  and:

42-23         (1) The corrective action authorized by subsection 3 of

42-24  section 33 of this act may be carried out against the school district

42-25  as if the exception pursuant to subsection 1 never occurred; or

42-26         (2) The corrective action required by subsection 4 of section

42-27  33 of this act this act must be carried out against the school

42-28  district as if the exception pursuant to subsection 1 never

42-29  occurred.

42-30     Sec. 36.  1.  The Department shall prescribe a form for

42-31  notice to parents and guardians pursuant to section 15 of this act

42-32  concerning the designation of a public school as demonstrating

42-33  need for improvement for its first year of designation. The notice

42-34  must comply with 20 U.S.C. § 6316(b)(6) and the regulations

42-35  adopted pursuant thereto, excluding the provisions regarding

42-36  public school choice.

42-37     2.  The Department shall prescribe a form for notice to

42-38  parents and guardians of pupils who are enrolled in Title I schools

42-39  and a form for notice to parents and guardians of pupils who are

42-40  not enrolled in Title I schools concerning the designation of a

42-41  public school as demonstrating need for improvement for 2 or

42-42  more consecutive years. The form prescribed for parents and

42-43  guardians of pupils enrolled in Title I schools must include the

42-44  provisions required by 20 U.S.C. § 6316(b)(6) concerning school

42-45  choice.


43-1      3.  The Department shall prescribe a form for notice to

43-2  parents and guardians pursuant to section 33 of this act

43-3  concerning the designation of a school district as demonstrating

43-4  need for improvement. The notice must comply with 20 U.S.C. §

43-5  6316(b)(6) and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

43-6      Sec. 37.  1.  The Department shall select, in the manner set

43-7  forth in 20 U.S.C. § 6316(e) and the regulations adopted pursuant

43-8  thereto, providers of supplemental educational services that must

43-9  be used by Title I schools designated as demonstrating need for

43-10  improvement pursuant to sections 20, 22 and 26 of this act. In

43-11  making a selection of providers, the Department shall consider the

43-12  recommendations submitted by the Committee pursuant to

43-13  NRS 218.5354.

43-14     2.  The Department shall maintain an updated list of approved

43-15  providers throughout this state, categorized by the school districts

43-16  in which the supplemental educational services are offered.

43-17     Sec. 38.  NRS 385.007 is hereby amended to read as follows:

43-18     385.007  As used in this title, unless the context otherwise

43-19  requires:

43-20     1.  “Charter school” means a public school that is formed

43-21  pursuant to the provisions of NRS 386.500 to 386.610, inclusive[.] ,

43-22  and section 46 of this act.

43-23     2.  “Department” means the Department of Education.

43-24     3.  “Limited English proficient” has the meaning ascribed to

43-25  it in 20 U.S.C. § 7801(25).

43-26     4.  “Public schools” means all kindergartens and elementary

43-27  schools, junior high schools and middle schools, high schools,

43-28  charter schools and any other schools, classes and educational

43-29  programs which receive their support through public taxation and,

43-30  except for charter schools, whose textbooks and courses of study are

43-31  under the control of the State Board.

43-32     [4.] 5.  “State Board” means the State Board of Education.

43-33     Sec. 39.  NRS 385.230 is hereby amended to read as follows:

43-34     385.230  1.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall

43-35  report to the Governor biennially, on or before December 1, in the

43-36  year immediately preceding a regular session of the Legislature

43-37  concerning matters relating to education in this state[.] , including,

43-38  without limitation, an analysis of each annual report of

43-39  accountability prepared by the State Board pursuant to section 6

43-40  of this act in the immediately preceding 2 years.

43-41     2.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall report to the

43-42  Legislature during each regular session of the Legislature

43-43  concerning matters relating to education in this state[.] , including,

43-44  without limitation, an analysis of each annual report of


44-1  accountability prepared by the State Board pursuant to section 6

44-2  of this act in the immediately preceding 2 years.

44-3      Sec. 40.  NRS 385.3455 is hereby amended to read as follows:

44-4      385.3455  As used in NRS 385.3455 to 385.391, inclusive, and

44-5  sections 2 to 37, inclusive, of this act, unless the context otherwise

44-6  requires, the words and terms defined in NRS 385.346 and 385.3465

44-7  and sections 2 and 3 of this act have the meanings ascribed to them

44-8  in those sections.

44-9      Sec. 41.  NRS 385.347 is hereby amended to read as follows:

44-10     385.347  1.  The board of trustees of each school district in

44-11  this state, in cooperation with associations recognized by the State

44-12  Board as representing licensed personnel in education in the district,

44-13  shall adopt a program providing for the accountability of the school

44-14  district to the residents of the district and to the State Board for the

44-15  quality of the schools and the educational achievement of the pupils

44-16  in the district, including, without limitation, pupils enrolled in

44-17  charter schools in the school district. The board of trustees of a

44-18  school district shall report the information required by subsection 2

44-19  for each charter school within the school district, regardless of the

44-20  sponsor of the charter school.

44-21     2.  The board of trustees of each school district shall, on or

44-22  before [March 31] April 1 of each year, [report to the residents of

44-23  the district] prepare an annual report of accountability concerning:

44-24     (a) The educational goals and objectives of the school district.

44-25     (b) Pupil achievement for [grades 4, 8, 10 and 11 for] each

44-26  school in the district and the district as a whole, including, without

44-27  limitation, each charter school in the district.[Unless otherwise

44-28  directed by the Department, the] The board of trustees of the district

44-29  shall base its report on the results of the examinations administered

44-30  pursuant to NRS 389.015 and 389.550 and shall compare the results

44-31  of those examinations for the current school year with those of

44-32  previous school years. The report must include, for each school in

44-33  the district, including, without limitation, each charter school in the

44-34  district, and each grade in which the examinations were

44-35  administered:

44-36         (1) The number of pupils who took the examinations;

44-37         (2) An explanation of instances in which a school was

44-38  exempt from administering or a pupil was exempt from taking an

44-39  examination; [and]

44-40         (3) A record of attendance for the period in which the

44-41  examinations were administered, including an explanation of any

44-42  difference in the number of pupils who took the examinations and

44-43  the number of pupils who are enrolled in the school[.

44-44  In addition, the board shall also report the results of other

44-45  examinations of pupil achievement administered to pupils in the


45-1  school district in grades other than 4, 8, 10 and 11. The results of

45-2  these examinations for the current school year must be compared

45-3  with those of previous school years.] ;

45-4          (4) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, pupil

45-5  achievement, reported separately by gender and reported

45-6  separately for the following subgroups of pupils:

45-7              (I) Pupils who are economically disadvantaged, as

45-8  defined by the State Board;

45-9              (II) Pupils from major racial and ethnic groups, as

45-10  defined by the State Board;

45-11             (III) Pupils with disabilities;

45-12             (IV) Pupils who are limited English proficient; and

45-13             (V) Pupils who are migratory children, as defined by the

45-14  State Board;

45-15         (5) A comparison of the achievement of pupils in each

45-16  subgroup identified in paragraph (d) of subsection 1 of section 4

45-17  of this act with the annual measurable objectives of the State

45-18  Board for that subgroup established pursuant to that section;

45-19         (6) The percentage of pupils who were not tested;

45-20         (7) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, the

45-21  percentage of pupils who were not tested, reported separately by

45-22  gender and reported separately for the subgroups identified in

45-23  subparagraph (4);

45-24         (8) The most recent 3-year trend in pupil achievement in

45-25  each subject area tested and each grade level tested pursuant to

45-26  NRS 389.015 and 389.550, which may include information

45-27  regarding the trend in the achievement of pupils for more than 3

45-28  years, if such information is available;

45-29         (9) Information that compares the results of pupils in the

45-30  school district, including, without limitation, pupils enrolled in

45-31  charter schools in the district, with the results of pupils

45-32  throughout this state. The information required by this

45-33  subparagraph must be provided in consultation with the

45-34  Department to ensure the accuracy of the comparison; and

45-35         (10) For each school in the district, including, without

45-36  limitation, each charter school in the district, information that

45-37  compares the results of pupils in the school with the results of

45-38  pupils throughout the school district and throughout this state.

45-39  The information required by this subparagraph must be provided

45-40  in consultation with the Department to ensure the accuracy of the

45-41  comparison.

45-42  A separate reporting for a subgroup of pupils must not be made

45-43  pursuant to this paragraph if the number of pupils in that

45-44  subgroup is insufficient to yield statistically reliable information

45-45  or the results would reveal personally identifiable information


46-1  about an individual pupil. The State Board shall prescribe the

46-2  mechanism for determining the minimum number of pupils that

46-3  must be in a subgroup for that subgroup to yield statistically

46-4  reliable information.

46-5      (c) The ratio of pupils to teachers in kindergarten and at each

46-6  grade level for each elementary school in the district and the district

46-7  as a whole, including, without limitation, each charter school in the

46-8  district, and the average class size for each [required course of

46-9  study] core academic subject, as set forth in NRS 389.018, for each

46-10  secondary school in the district and the district as a whole,

46-11  including, without limitation, each charter school in the district . [,

46-12  and other data concerning licensed and unlicensed employees of the

46-13  school district.

46-14     (d) The percentage of classes taught by teachers who have been

46-15  assigned to teach English, mathematics, science or social studies but

46-16  do not possess a license with an endorsement to teach in that subject

46-17  area, for each school in the district and the district as a whole,

46-18  including, without limitation, each charter school in the district.]

46-19     (d) Information on the professional qualifications of teachers

46-20  employed by each school in the district, including, without

46-21  limitation, each charter school in the district. The information

46-22  must include, without limitation:

46-23         (1) The percentage of teachers who are:

46-24             (I) Providing instruction pursuant to NRS 391.125;

46-25             (II) Providing instruction pursuant to a waiver of the

46-26  requirements for licensure for the grade level or subject area in

46-27  which the teachers are employed; or

46-28             (III) Otherwise providing instruction without an

46-29  endorsement for the subject area in which the teachers are

46-30  employed;

46-31         (2) The percentage of classes in the core academic subjects,

46-32  as set forth in NRS 389.018, that are not taught by highly qualified

46-33  teachers; and

46-34         (3) The percentage of classes in the core academic subjects,

46-35  as set forth in NRS 389.018, that are not taught by highly qualified

46-36  teachers in schools that are:

46-37             (I) In the top quartile of poverty in the district; and

46-38             (II) In the bottom quartile of poverty in the district.

46-39     (e) The total expenditure per pupil for each school in the district

46-40  and the district as a whole, including, without limitation, each

46-41  charter school in the district.

46-42     (f) The curriculum used by the school district, including:

46-43         (1) Any special programs for pupils at an individual school;

46-44  and


47-1          (2) The curriculum used by each charter school in the

47-2  district.

47-3      (g) Records of the attendance and truancy of pupils in all grades,

47-4  including, without limitation[, the] :

47-5          (1) The average daily attendance of pupils, for each school in

47-6  the district and the district as a whole, including, without limitation,

47-7  each charter school in the district.

47-8          (2) For each elementary school, middle school and junior

47-9  high school in the district, including, without limitation, each

47-10  charter school in the district that provides instruction to pupils

47-11  enrolled in a grade level other than high school, information that

47-12  compares the attendance of the pupils enrolled in the school with

47-13  the attendance of pupils throughout the district and throughout

47-14  this state. The information required by this subparagraph must be

47-15  provided in consultation with the Department to ensure the

47-16  accuracy of the comparison.

47-17     (h) The annual rate of pupils who drop out of school in grades 9

47-18  to 12, inclusive, for each such grade, for each school in the district

47-19  and for the district as a whole, excluding pupils who:

47-20         (1) Provide proof to the school district of successful

47-21  completion of the examinations of general educational development.

47-22         (2) Are enrolled in courses that are approved by the

47-23  Department as meeting the requirements for an adult standard

47-24  diploma.

47-25         (3) Withdraw from school to attend another school.

47-26     (i) Records of attendance of teachers who provide instruction,

47-27  for each school in the district and the district as a whole, including,

47-28  without limitation, each charter school in the district.

47-29     (j) Efforts made by the school district and by each school in the

47-30  district, including, without limitation, each charter school in the

47-31  district, to increase:

47-32         (1) Communication with the parents of pupils in the district;

47-33  and

47-34         (2) The participation of parents in the educational process

47-35  and activities relating to the school district and each school,

47-36  including, without limitation, the existence of parent organizations

47-37  and school advisory committees.

47-38     (k) Records of incidents involving weapons or violence for each

47-39  school in the district, including, without limitation, each charter

47-40  school in the district.

47-41     (l) Records of incidents involving the use or possession of

47-42  alcoholic beverages or controlled substances for each school in the

47-43  district, including, without limitation, each charter school in the

47-44  district.


48-1      (m) Records of the suspension and expulsion of pupils required

48-2  or authorized pursuant to NRS 392.466 and 392.467.

48-3      (n) The number of pupils who are deemed habitual disciplinary

48-4  problems pursuant to NRS 392.4655, for each school in the district

48-5  and the district as a whole, including, without limitation, each

48-6  charter school in the district.

48-7      (o) The number of pupils in each grade who are retained in the

48-8  same grade pursuant to NRS 392.033 or 392.125, for each school in

48-9  the district and the district as a whole, including, without limitation,

48-10  each charter school in the district.

48-11     (p) The transiency rate of pupils for each school in the district

48-12  and the district as a whole, including, without limitation, each

48-13  charter school in the district. For the purposes of this paragraph, a

48-14  pupil is not transient if he is transferred to a different school within

48-15  the school district as a result of a change in the zone of attendance

48-16  by the board of trustees of the school district pursuant to

48-17  NRS 388.040.

48-18     (q) Each source of funding for the school district.

48-19     (r) The amount and sources of money received for remedial

48-20  education for each school in the district and the district as a whole,

48-21  including, without limitation, each charter school in the district.

48-22     (s) For each high school in the district, including, without

48-23  limitation, each charter school in the district, the percentage of

48-24  pupils who graduated from that high school or charter school in the

48-25  immediately preceding year and enrolled in remedial courses in

48-26  reading, writing or mathematics at a university or community

48-27  college within the University and Community College System of

48-28  Nevada.

48-29     (t) The technological facilities and equipment available at each

48-30  school, including, without limitation, each charter school, and the

48-31  district’s plan to incorporate educational technology at each school.

48-32     (u) For each school in the district and the district as a whole,

48-33  including, without limitation, each charter school in the district, the

48-34  number and percentage of pupils who [graduate with:] received:

48-35         (1) A standard high school diploma.

48-36         (2) An adjusted diploma.

48-37         (3) A certificate of attendance.

48-38     (v) For each school in the district and the district as a whole,

48-39  including, without limitation, each charter school in the district, the

48-40  number and percentage of pupils who did not receive a high school

48-41  diploma because the pupils failed to pass the high school

48-42  proficiency examination.

48-43     (w) The number of habitual truants who are reported to a school

48-44  police officer or law enforcement agency pursuant to paragraph (a)

48-45  of subsection 2 of NRS 392.144 and the number of habitual truants


49-1  who are referred to an advisory board to review school attendance

49-2  pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection 2 of NRS 392.144, for each

49-3  school in the district and for the district as a whole.

49-4      (x) The amount and sources of money received for the training

49-5  and professional development of teachers and other educational

49-6  personnel for each school in the district and for the district as a

49-7  whole, including, without limitation, each charter school in the

49-8  district.

49-9      (y) Whether the school district has made adequate yearly

49-10  progress. If the school district has been designated as

49-11  demonstrating need for improvement pursuant to section 32 of this

49-12  act, the report must include a statement indicating the number of

49-13  consecutive years the school district has carried that designation.

49-14     (z) Information on whether each public school in the district,

49-15  including, without limitation, each charter school in the district,

49-16  has made adequate yearly progress, including, without limitation:

49-17         (1) The number and percentage of schools in the district, if

49-18  any, that have been designated as needing improvement pursuant

49-19  to section 14 of this act; and

49-20         (2) The name of each school, if any, in the district that has

49-21  been designated as needing improvement pursuant to section 14 of

49-22  this act and the number of consecutive years that the school has

49-23  carried that designation.

49-24     (aa) Information on the paraprofessionals employed by each

49-25  public school in the district, including, without limitation, each

49-26  charter school in the district. The information must include:

49-27         (1) The number of paraprofessionals employed at the

49-28  school; and

49-29         (2) Whether each paraprofessional employed at the school

49-30  holds a certificate issued pursuant to section 88 of this act.

49-31     (bb) For each high school in the district, including, without

49-32  limitation, each charter school that operates as a high school,

49-33  information that provides a comparison of the rate of graduation

49-34  of pupils enrolled in the high school with the rate of graduation of

49-35  pupils throughout the district and throughout this state. The

49-36  information required by this paragraph must be provided in

49-37  consultation with the Department to ensure the accuracy of the

49-38  comparison.

49-39     (cc) An identification of the appropriations made by the

49-40  Legislature that are available to the school district or the schools

49-41  within the district and programs approved by the Legislature to

49-42  improve the academic achievement of pupils.

49-43     (dd) Such other information as is directed by the Superintendent

49-44  of Public Instruction.


50-1      3.  The records of attendance maintained by a school for

50-2  purposes of paragraph (i) of subsection 2 must include the number

50-3  of teachers who are in attendance at school and the number of

50-4  teachers who are absent from school. A teacher shall be deemed in

50-5  attendance if the teacher is excused from being present in the

50-6  classroom by the school in which he is employed for one of

50-7  the following reasons:

50-8      (a) Acquisition of knowledge or skills relating to the

50-9  professional development of the teacher; or

50-10     (b) Assignment of the teacher to perform duties for cocurricular

50-11  or extracurricular activities of pupils.

50-12     4.  The annual report of accountability prepared pursuant to

50-13  subsection 2 must:

50-14     (a) Comply with 20 U.S.C. § 6311(h)(2) and the regulations

50-15  adopted pursuant thereto;

50-16     (b) Be prepared in a concise manner; and

50-17     (c) Be presented in an understandable and uniform format

50-18  and to the extent practicable, provided in a language that parents

50-19  can understand.

50-20     5.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall:

50-21     (a) Prescribe forms for the reports required pursuant to

50-22  subsection 2 and provide the forms to the respective school districts.

50-23     (b) Provide statistical information and technical assistance to the

50-24  school districts to ensure that the reports provide comparable

50-25  information with respect to each school in each district and among

50-26  the districts[.] throughout this state.

50-27     (c) Consult with a representative of the:

50-28         (1) Nevada State Education Association;

50-29         (2) Nevada Association of School Boards;

50-30         (3) Nevada Association of School Administrators;

50-31         (4) Nevada Parent [Teachers] Teacher Association;

50-32         (5) Budget Division of the Department of Administration;

50-33  and

50-34         (6) Legislative Counsel Bureau,

50-35  concerning the program and consider any advice or

50-36  recommendations submitted by the representatives with respect to

50-37  the program.

50-38     [5.] 6.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction may consult

50-39  with representatives of parent groups other than the Nevada Parent

50-40  Teachers Association concerning the program and consider any

50-41  advice or recommendations submitted by the representatives with

50-42  respect to the program.

50-43     [6.] 7.  On or before April [15] 1 of each year, the board of

50-44  trustees of each school district shall submit to [each] :


51-1      (a) Each advisory board to review school attendance created in

51-2  the county pursuant to NRS 392.126 the information required in

51-3  paragraph (g) of subsection 2.

51-4      (b) The Commission on Educational Technology created by

51-5  NRS 388.790 the information prepared by the board of trustees

51-6  pursuant to paragraph (t) of subsection 2.

51-7      8.  On or before April 1 of each year, the board of trustees of

51-8  each school district shall:

51-9      (a) Submit the report required pursuant to subsection 2 to the:

51-10         (1) Governor;

51-11         (2) State Board;

51-12         (3) Department;

51-13         (4) Committee; and

51-14         (5) Bureau.

51-15     (b) Provide for public dissemination of the annual report of

51-16  accountability prepared pursuant to subsection 2 in the manner

51-17  set forth in 20 U.S.C. § 6311(h)(2)(E) to the schools in the school

51-18  district, including, without limitation, each charter school in the

51-19  district, the residents of the district, and the parents and guardians

51-20  of pupils enrolled in schools in the district, including, without

51-21  limitation, each charter school in the district.

51-22     9.  As used in this section, “highly qualified” has the meaning

51-23  ascribed to it in 20 U.S.C. § 7801(23).

51-24     Sec. 42.  NRS 385.347 is hereby amended to read as follows:

51-25     385.347  1.  The board of trustees of each school district in

51-26  this state, in cooperation with associations recognized by the State

51-27  Board as representing licensed personnel in education in the district,

51-28  shall adopt a program providing for the accountability of the school

51-29  district to the residents of the district and to the State Board for the

51-30  quality of the schools and the educational achievement of the pupils

51-31  in the district, including, without limitation, pupils enrolled in

51-32  charter schools in the school district. The board of trustees of a

51-33  school district shall report the information required by subsection 2

51-34  for each charter school within the school district, regardless of the

51-35  sponsor of the charter school.

51-36     2.  The board of trustees of each school district shall, on or

51-37  before April 1 of each year, prepare an annual report of

51-38  accountability concerning:

51-39     (a) The educational goals and objectives of the school district.

51-40     (b) Pupil achievement for each school in the district and the

51-41  district as a whole, including, without limitation, each charter school

51-42  in the district. The board of trustees of the district shall base its

51-43  report on the results of the examinations administered pursuant to

51-44  NRS 389.015 [and 389.550] and shall compare the results of those

51-45  examinations for the current school year with those of previous


52-1  school years. The report must include, for each school in the district,

52-2  including, without limitation, each charter school in the district, and

52-3  each grade in which the examinations were administered:

52-4          (1) The number of pupils who took the examinations;

52-5          (2) An explanation of instances in which a school was

52-6  exempt from administering or a pupil was exempt from taking an

52-7  examination;

52-8          (3) A record of attendance for the period in which the

52-9  examinations were administered, including an explanation of any

52-10  difference in the number of pupils who took the examinations and

52-11  the number of pupils who are enrolled in the school;

52-12         (4) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, pupil

52-13  achievement, reported separately by gender and reported separately

52-14  for the following subgroups of pupils:

52-15             (I) Pupils who are economically disadvantaged, as

52-16  defined by the State Board;

52-17             (II) Pupils from major racial and ethnic groups, as defined

52-18  by the State Board;

52-19             (III) Pupils with disabilities;

52-20             (IV) Pupils who are limited English proficient; and

52-21             (V) Pupils who are migratory children, as defined by the

52-22  State Board;

52-23         (5) A comparison of the achievement of pupils in each

52-24  subgroup identified in paragraph (d) of subsection 1 of section 4 of

52-25  this act with the annual measurable objectives of the State Board for

52-26  that subgroup established pursuant to that section;

52-27         (6) The percentage of pupils who were not tested;

52-28         (7) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, the

52-29  percentage of pupils who were not tested, reported separately by

52-30  gender and reported separately for the subgroups identified in

52-31  subparagraph (4);

52-32         (8) The most recent 3-year trend in pupil achievement in

52-33  each subject area tested and each grade level tested pursuant to NRS

52-34  389.015 ,[and 389.550,] which may include information regarding

52-35  the trend in the achievement of pupils for more than 3 years, if such

52-36  information is available;

52-37         (9) Information that compares the results of pupils in the

52-38  school district, including, without limitation, pupils enrolled in

52-39  charter schools in the district, with the results of pupils throughout

52-40  this state. The information required by this subparagraph must be

52-41  provided in consultation with the Department to ensure the accuracy

52-42  of the comparison; and

52-43         (10) For each school in the district, including, without

52-44  limitation, each charter school in the district, information that

52-45  compares the results of pupils in the school with the results of pupils


53-1  throughout the school district and throughout this state. The

53-2  information required by this subparagraph must be provided in

53-3  consultation with the Department to ensure the accuracy of the

53-4  comparison.

53-5  A separate reporting for a subgroup of pupils must not be made

53-6  pursuant to this paragraph if the number of pupils in that subgroup is

53-7  insufficient to yield statistically reliable information or the results

53-8  would reveal personally identifiable information about an individual

53-9  pupil. The State Board shall prescribe the mechanism for

53-10  determining the minimum number of pupils that must be in a

53-11  subgroup for that subgroup to yield statistically reliable information.

53-12     (c) The ratio of pupils to teachers in kindergarten and at each

53-13  grade level for each elementary school in the district and the district

53-14  as a whole, including, without limitation, each charter school in the

53-15  district, and the average class size for each core academic subject, as

53-16  set forth in NRS 389.018, for each secondary school in the district

53-17  and the district as a whole, including, without limitation, each

53-18  charter school in the district.

53-19     (d) Information on the professional qualifications of teachers

53-20  employed by each school in the district, including, without

53-21  limitation, each charter school in the district. The information must

53-22  include, without limitation:

53-23         (1) The percentage of teachers who are:

53-24             (I) Providing instruction pursuant to NRS 391.125;

53-25             (II) Providing instruction pursuant to a waiver of the

53-26  requirements for licensure for the grade level or subject area in

53-27  which the teachers are employed; or

53-28             (III) Otherwise providing instruction without an

53-29  endorsement for the subject area in which the teachers are

53-30  employed;

53-31         (2) The percentage of classes in the core academic subjects,

53-32  as set forth in NRS 389.018, that are not taught by highly qualified

53-33  teachers; and

53-34         (3) The percentage of classes in the core academic subjects,

53-35  as set forth in NRS 389.018, that are not taught by highly qualified

53-36  teachers in schools that are:

53-37             (I) In the top quartile of poverty in the district; and

53-38             (II) In the bottom quartile of poverty in the district.

53-39     (e) The total expenditure per pupil for each school in the district

53-40  and the district as a whole, including, without limitation, each

53-41  charter school in the district.

53-42     (f) The curriculum used by the school district, including:

53-43         (1) Any special programs for pupils at an individual school;

53-44  and


54-1          (2) The curriculum used by each charter school in the

54-2  district.

54-3      (g) Records of the attendance and truancy of pupils in all grades,

54-4  including, without limitation:

54-5          (1) The average daily attendance of pupils, for each school in

54-6  the district and the district as a whole, including, without limitation,

54-7  each charter school in the district.

54-8          (2) For each elementary school, middle school and junior

54-9  high school in the district, including, without limitation, each charter

54-10  school in the district that provides instruction to pupils enrolled in a

54-11  grade level other than high school, information that compares the

54-12  attendance of the pupils enrolled in the school with the attendance of

54-13  pupils throughout the district and throughout this state. The

54-14  information required by this subparagraph must be provided in

54-15  consultation with the Department to ensure the accuracy of the

54-16  comparison.

54-17     (h) The annual rate of pupils who drop out of school in grades 9

54-18  to 12, inclusive, for each such grade, for each school in the district

54-19  and for the district as a whole, excluding pupils who:

54-20         (1) Provide proof to the school district of successful

54-21  completion of the examinations of general educational development.

54-22         (2) Are enrolled in courses that are approved by the

54-23  Department as meeting the requirements for an adult standard

54-24  diploma.

54-25         (3) Withdraw from school to attend another school.

54-26     (i) Records of attendance of teachers who provide instruction,

54-27  for each school in the district and the district as a whole, including,

54-28  without limitation, each charter school in the district.

54-29     (j) Efforts made by the school district and by each school in the

54-30  district, including, without limitation, each charter school in the

54-31  district, to increase:

54-32         (1) Communication with the parents of pupils in the district;

54-33  and

54-34         (2) The participation of parents in the educational process

54-35  and activities relating to the school district and each school,

54-36  including, without limitation, the existence of parent organizations

54-37  and school advisory committees.

54-38     (k) Records of incidents involving weapons or violence for each

54-39  school in the district, including, without limitation, each charter

54-40  school in the district.

54-41     (l) Records of incidents involving the use or possession of

54-42  alcoholic beverages or controlled substances for each school in the

54-43  district, including, without limitation, each charter school in the

54-44  district.


55-1      (m) Records of the suspension and expulsion of pupils required

55-2  or authorized pursuant to NRS 392.466 and 392.467.

55-3      (n) The number of pupils who are deemed habitual disciplinary

55-4  problems pursuant to NRS 392.4655, for each school in the district

55-5  and the district as a whole, including, without limitation, each

55-6  charter school in the district.

55-7      (o) The number of pupils in each grade who are retained in the

55-8  same grade pursuant to NRS 392.033 or 392.125, for each school in

55-9  the district and the district as a whole, including, without limitation,

55-10  each charter school in the district.

55-11     (p) The transiency rate of pupils for each school in the district

55-12  and the district as a whole, including, without limitation, each

55-13  charter school in the district. For the purposes of this paragraph, a

55-14  pupil is not transient if he is transferred to a different school within

55-15  the school district as a result of a change in the zone of attendance

55-16  by the board of trustees of the school district pursuant to

55-17  NRS 388.040.

55-18     (q) Each source of funding for the school district.

55-19     (r) The amount and sources of money received for remedial

55-20  education for each school in the district and the district as a whole,

55-21  including, without limitation, each charter school in the district.

55-22     (s) For each high school in the district, including, without

55-23  limitation, each charter school in the district, the percentage of

55-24  pupils who graduated from that high school or charter school in the

55-25  immediately preceding year and enrolled in remedial courses in

55-26  reading, writing or mathematics at a university or community

55-27  college within the University and Community College System of

55-28  Nevada.

55-29     (t) The technological facilities and equipment available at each

55-30  school, including, without limitation, each charter school, and the

55-31  district’s plan to incorporate educational technology at each school.

55-32     (u) For each school in the district and the district as a whole,

55-33  including, without limitation, each charter school in the district, the

55-34  number and percentage of pupils who received:

55-35         (1) A standard high school diploma.

55-36         (2) An adjusted diploma.

55-37         (3) A certificate of attendance.

55-38     (v) For each school in the district and the district as a whole,

55-39  including, without limitation, each charter school in the district, the

55-40  number and percentage of pupils who did not receive a high

55-41  school diploma because the pupils failed to pass the high school

55-42  proficiency examination.

55-43     (w) The number of habitual truants who are reported to a school

55-44  police officer or law enforcement agency pursuant to paragraph (a)

55-45  of subsection 2 of NRS 392.144 and the number of habitual truants


56-1  who are referred to an advisory board to review school attendance

56-2  pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection 2 of NRS 392.144, for each

56-3  school in the district and for the district as a whole.

56-4      (x) The amount and sources of money received for the training

56-5  and professional development of teachers and other educational

56-6  personnel for each school in the district and for the district as a

56-7  whole, including, without limitation, each charter school in the

56-8  district.

56-9      (y) Whether the school district has made adequate yearly

56-10  progress. If the school district has been designated as demonstrating

56-11  need for improvement pursuant to section 32 of this act, the report

56-12  must include a statement indicating the number of consecutive years

56-13  the school district has carried that designation.

56-14     (z) Information on whether each public school in the district,

56-15  including, without limitation, each charter school in the district, has

56-16  made adequate yearly progress, including, without limitation:

56-17         (1) The number and percentage of schools in the district, if

56-18  any, that have been designated as needing improvement pursuant to

56-19  section 14 of this act; and

56-20         (2) The name of each school, if any, in the district that has

56-21  been designated as needing improvement pursuant to section 14 of

56-22  this act and the number of consecutive years that the school has

56-23  carried that designation.

56-24     (aa) Information on the paraprofessionals employed by each

56-25  public school in the district, including, without limitation, each

56-26  charter school in the district. The information must include:

56-27         (1) The number of paraprofessionals employed at the school;

56-28  and

56-29         (2) Whether each paraprofessional employed at the school

56-30  holds a certificate issued pursuant to section 88 of this act.

56-31     (bb) For each high school in the district, including, without

56-32  limitation, each charter school that operates as a high school,

56-33  information that provides a comparison of the rate of graduation of

56-34  pupils enrolled in the high school with the rate of graduation of

56-35  pupils throughout the district and throughout this state. The

56-36  information required by this paragraph must be provided in

56-37  consultation with the Department to ensure the accuracy of the

56-38  comparison.

56-39     (cc) An identification of the appropriations made by the

56-40  Legislature that are available to the school district or the schools

56-41  within the district and programs approved by the Legislature to

56-42  improve the academic achievement of pupils.

56-43     (dd) Such other information as is directed by the Superintendent

56-44  of Public Instruction.


57-1      3.  The records of attendance maintained by a school for

57-2  purposes of paragraph (i) of subsection 2 must include the number

57-3  of teachers who are in attendance at school and the number of

57-4  teachers who are absent from school. A teacher shall be deemed in

57-5  attendance if the teacher is excused from being present in the

57-6  classroom by the school in which he is employed for one of

57-7  the following reasons:

57-8      (a) Acquisition of knowledge or skills relating to the

57-9  professional development of the teacher; or

57-10     (b) Assignment of the teacher to perform duties for cocurricular

57-11  or extracurricular activities of pupils.

57-12     4.  The annual report of accountability prepared pursuant to

57-13  subsection 2 must:

57-14     (a) Comply with 20 U.S.C. § 6311(h)(2) and the regulations

57-15  adopted pursuant thereto;

57-16     (b) Be prepared in a concise manner; and

57-17     (c) Be presented in an understandable and uniform format and to

57-18  the extent practicable, provided in a language that parents can

57-19  understand.

57-20     5.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall:

57-21     (a) Prescribe forms for the reports required pursuant to

57-22  subsection 2 and provide the forms to the respective school districts.

57-23     (b) Provide statistical information and technical assistance to the

57-24  school districts to ensure that the reports provide comparable

57-25  information with respect to each school in each district and among

57-26  the districts throughout this state.

57-27     (c) Consult with a representative of the:

57-28         (1) Nevada State Education Association;

57-29         (2) Nevada Association of School Boards;

57-30         (3) Nevada Association of School Administrators;

57-31         (4) Nevada Parent Teachers Association;

57-32         (5) Budget Division of the Department of Administration;

57-33  and

57-34         (6) Legislative Counsel Bureau,

57-35  concerning the program and consider any advice or

57-36  recommendations submitted by the representatives with respect to

57-37  the program.

57-38     6.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction may consult with

57-39  representatives of parent groups other than the Nevada Parent

57-40  Teachers Association concerning the program and consider any

57-41  advice or recommendations submitted by the representatives with

57-42  respect to the program.

57-43     7.  On or before April 1 of each year, the board of trustees of

57-44  each school district shall submit to:


58-1      (a) Each advisory board to review school attendance created in

58-2  the county pursuant to NRS 392.126 the information required in

58-3  paragraph (g) of subsection 2.

58-4      (b) The Commission on Educational Technology created by

58-5  NRS 388.790 the information prepared by the board of trustees

58-6  pursuant to paragraph (t) of subsection 2.

58-7      8.  On or before April 1 of each year, the board of trustees of

58-8  each school district shall:

58-9      (a) Submit the report required pursuant to subsection 2 to the:

58-10         (1) Governor;

58-11         (2) State Board;

58-12         (3) Department;

58-13         (4) Committee; and

58-14         (5) Bureau.

58-15     (b) Provide for public dissemination of the annual report of

58-16  accountability prepared pursuant to subsection 2 in the manner set

58-17  forth in 20 U.S.C. § 6311(h)(2)(E) to the schools in the school

58-18  district, including, without limitation, each charter school in the

58-19  district, the residents of the district, and the parents and guardians of

58-20  pupils enrolled in schools in the district, including, without

58-21  limitation, each charter school in the district.

58-22     9.  As used in this section, “highly qualified” has the meaning

58-23  ascribed to it in 20 U.S.C. § 7801(23).

58-24     Sec. 43.  NRS 385.359 is hereby amended to read as follows:

58-25     385.359  1.  The Bureau shall contract with a person or entity

58-26  to:

58-27     (a) Review and analyze , [the information submitted to the

58-28  Bureau pursuant to NRS 385.351] in accordance with the standards

58-29  prescribed by the Committee pursuant to subsection 2 of NRS

58-30  218.5354[;] , the:

58-31         (1) Annual report of accountability prepared by:

58-32             (I) The State Board pursuant to section 6 of this act;

58-33  and

58-34             (II) The board of trustees of each school district

58-35  pursuant to NRS 385.347.

58-36         (2) Plan to improve the achievement of pupils prepared by:

58-37             (I) The State Board pursuant to section 7 of this act;

58-38             (II) The board of trustees of each school district

58-39  pursuant to section 8 of this act; and

58-40             (III) Each school pursuant to section 9 of this act

58-41  identified by the Bureau for review, if any.

58-42     (b) Submit a written report to and consult with the State Board

58-43  and the Department regarding any methods by which the State

58-44  Board may improve the accuracy of the report of accountability

58-45  required pursuant to section 6 of this act and the plan to improve


59-1  the achievement of pupils required pursuant to section 7 of this

59-2  act, and the purposes for which the report and plan to improve are

59-3  used.

59-4      (c) Submit a written report to and consult with each school

59-5  district regarding any methods by which the district may improve

59-6  the accuracy of the report required pursuant to subsection 2 of NRS

59-7  385.347 and the [written report and written procedure required

59-8  pursuant to NRS 385.351,] plan to improve the achievement of

59-9  pupils required pursuant to section 8 of this act, and the purposes

59-10  for which the [reports and written procedure are used; and

59-11     (c)] report and plan to improve are used.

59-12     (d) If requested by the Bureau, submit a written report to and

59-13  consult with individual schools identified by the Bureau regarding

59-14  any methods by which the school may improve the accuracy of the

59-15  information required to be reported for the school pursuant to

59-16  subsection 2 of NRS 385.347 and the plan to improve the

59-17  achievement of pupils required pursuant to section 9 of this act.

59-18     (e) Submit written reports and any recommendations to the

59-19  Committee and the Bureau concerning:

59-20         (1) The effectiveness of the provisions of NRS 385.3455 to

59-21  385.391, inclusive, and sections 2 to 37, inclusive, of this act in

59-22  improving the accountability of the schools of this state;

59-23         (2) The status of each school district that is designated as

59-24  demonstrating need for improvement pursuant to section 32 of this

59-25  act and each school that is designated as demonstrating need for

59-26  improvement pursuant to [NRS 385.367 and 385.368;] section 14 of

59-27  this act; and

59-28         (3) Any other matter related to the accountability of the

59-29  public schools of this state, as deemed necessary by the Bureau.

59-30     2.  The consultant with whom the Bureau contracts to perform

59-31  the duties required pursuant to subsection 1[:

59-32     (a) Must] must possess the experience and knowledge necessary

59-33  to perform those duties, as determined by the Committee . [; and

59-34     (b) Shall complete those duties within 6 months after the Bureau

59-35  provides to the consultant the report required pursuant to subsection

59-36  2 of NRS 385.347 and the written report and written procedure

59-37  required pursuant to NRS 385.351.]

59-38     Sec. 44.  NRS 385.389 is hereby amended to read as follows:

59-39     385.389  1.  The Department shall adopt programs of remedial

59-40  study for each subject tested on the examinations administered

59-41  pursuant to NRS 389.015[.] , including, without limitation,

59-42  programs that are designed for pupils who are limited English

59-43  proficient. The programs adopted for pupils who are limited

59-44  English proficient must be designed to:

59-45     (a) Improve the academic achievement of those pupils; or


60-1      (b) Assist those pupils with attaining proficiency in the English

60-2  language.

60-3  In adopting these programs of remedial study, the Department shall

60-4  consider the recommendations submitted by the Committee pursuant

60-5  to NRS 218.5354 and programs of remedial study that have proven

60-6  to be successful in improving the academic achievement of pupils.

60-7      2.  [A] Except as otherwise provided in section 12 of this act, a

60-8  school that receives a designation as demonstrating need for

60-9  improvement pursuant to [paragraph (a) of subsection 1 of NRS

60-10  385.367] section 14 of this act shall adopt a program of remedial

60-11  study that has been adopted by the Department pursuant to

60-12  subsection 1.

60-13     3.  [A] Except as otherwise provided in section 12 of this act, a

60-14  school district that includes a school which receives a designation of

60-15  demonstrating need for improvement pursuant to [paragraph (a) of

60-16  subsection 1 of NRS 385.367] section 14 of this act shall ensure

60-17  that each of the pupils enrolled in the school who failed to

60-18  demonstrate at least adequate achievement on the examinations

60-19  administered pursuant to NRS 389.015 completes, in accordance

60-20  with the requirements set forth in subsection [5] 4 of NRS 389.015,

60-21  remedial study that is determined to be appropriate for the pupil.

60-22     Sec. 45.  NRS 385.391 is hereby amended to read as follows:

60-23     385.391  1.  The Department shall adopt:

60-24     [1.] (a) Regulations to provide for the recognition of schools

60-25  that [receive] :

60-26         (1) Receive a designation as demonstrating exemplary

60-27  achievement or high achievement pursuant to [NRS 385.365;

60-28     2.  Regulations which prescribe the factors that the Department

60-29  will consider in determining whether to grant a waiver from the

60-30  establishment of a panel to supervise the academic probation of a

60-31  school pursuant to NRS 385.378, including, without limitation,

60-32  criteria for determining whether:

60-33     (a) A school has significantly improved for the purpose of

60-34  subsection 3 of NRS 385.378; and

60-35     (b) The number of pupils enrolled in a school who take the

60-36  examinations required pursuant to NRS 389.015 has significantly

60-37  increased for the purpose of subsection 4 of NRS 385.378; and

60-38     3.] section 14 of this act.

60-39         (2) Significantly improve the academic achievement of

60-40  subgroups of pupils identified in paragraph (d) of subsection 1 of

60-41  section 4 of this act.

60-42         (3) Exceed adequate yearly progress, as determined by the

60-43  Department pursuant to section 10 of this act, for 2 or more

60-44  consecutive years.


61-1      (b) Such regulations as it deems necessary to carry out the

61-2  provisions of this section and NRS 385.3455 to [385.386,] 385.391,

61-3  inclusive, and sections 2 to 37 inclusive, of this act, including,

61-4  without limitation, uniform standards for the type and format of data

61-5  that must be submitted by the school districts and the time by which

61-6  such data must be submitted.

61-7      2.  The Department may work in consultation with the Bureau

61-8  for identifying and publicizing the achievement of schools that are

61-9  recognized pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection 1.

61-10     Sec. 46.  Chapter 386 of NRS is hereby amended by adding

61-11  thereto a new section to read as follows:

61-12     A person who is initially hired by a charter school on or after

61-13  July 1, 2004, to perform a duty of a paraprofessional, as defined in

61-14  section 84 of this act, must hold a certificate as a paraprofessional

61-15  issued pursuant to section 88 of this act. For the purposes of this

61-16  section, a person is not “initially hired” if he has been employed

61-17  as a paraprofessional by another school district or charter school

61-18  in this state without an interruption in employment before the date

61-19  of hire by his current employer.

61-20     Sec. 47.  NRS 386.500 is hereby amended to read as follows:

61-21     386.500  For the purposes of NRS 386.500 to 386.610,

61-22  inclusive, and section 46 of this act, a pupil is “at risk” if he has an

61-23  economic or academic disadvantage such that he requires special

61-24  services and assistance to enable him to succeed in educational

61-25  programs. The term includes, without limitation, pupils who are

61-26  members of economically disadvantaged families, pupils [with

61-27  limited proficiency in the English language,] who are limited

61-28  English proficient, pupils who are at risk of dropping out of high

61-29  school and pupils who do not meet minimum standards of academic

61-30  proficiency. The term does not include a pupil with a disability.

61-31     Sec. 48.  NRS 386.505 is hereby amended to read as follows:

61-32     386.505  The Legislature declares that by authorizing the

61-33  formation of charter schools it is not authorizing:

61-34     1.  [The] Except as otherwise provided in section 27 of this

61-35  act, the conversion of an existing public school, home school or

61-36  other program of home study to a charter school.

61-37     2.  A means for providing financial assistance for private

61-38  schools or programs of home study. The provisions of this

61-39  subsection do not preclude a private school from ceasing to operate

61-40  as a private school and reopening as a charter school in compliance

61-41  with the provisions of NRS 386.500 to 386.610, inclusive[.] , and

61-42  section 46 of this act.

61-43     3.  The formation of charter schools on the basis of a single

61-44  race, religion or ethnicity.

 


62-1      Sec. 49.  NRS 386.506 is hereby amended to read as follows:

62-2      386.506  [The] Except as otherwise provided in section 27 of

62-3  this act, the provisions of NRS 386.500 to 386.610, inclusive, and

62-4  section 46 of this act do not authorize an existing public school,

62-5  home school or other program of home study to convert to a charter

62-6  school.

62-7      Sec. 50.  NRS 386.520 is hereby amended to read as follows:

62-8      386.520  1.  A committee to form a charter school must

62-9  consist of at least three teachers, as defined in subsection 4. In

62-10  addition to the teachers who serve, the committee may consist of:

62-11     (a) Members of the general public;

62-12     (b) Representatives of nonprofit organizations and businesses;

62-13  or

62-14     (c) Representatives of a college or university within the

62-15  University and Community College System of Nevada.

62-16  A majority of the persons described in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c)

62-17  who serve on the committee must be residents of this state at the

62-18  time that the application to form the charter school is submitted to

62-19  the Department.

62-20     2.  Before a committee to form a charter school may submit an

62-21  application to the board of trustees of a school district, the

62-22  Subcommittee on Charter Schools or the State Board, it must submit

62-23  the application to the Department. The application must include all

62-24  information prescribed by the Department by regulation and:

62-25     (a) A written description of how the charter school will carry out

62-26  the provisions of NRS 386.500 to 386.610, inclusive[.] , and

62-27  section 46 of this act.

62-28     (b) A written description of the mission and goals for the charter

62-29  school. A charter school must have as its stated purpose at least one

62-30  of the following goals:

62-31         (1) Improving the opportunities for pupils to learn;

62-32         (2) Encouraging the use of effective methods of teaching;

62-33         (3) Providing an accurate measurement of the educational

62-34  achievement of pupils;

62-35         (4) Establishing accountability of public schools;

62-36         (5) Providing a method for public schools to measure

62-37  achievement based upon the performance of the schools; or

62-38         (6) Creating new professional opportunities for teachers.

62-39     (c) The projected enrollment of pupils in the charter school.

62-40     (d) The proposed dates of enrollment for the charter school.

62-41     (e) The proposed system of governance for the charter

62-42  school, including, without limitation, the number of persons who

62-43  will govern, the method of selecting the persons who will govern

62-44  and the term of office for each person.


63-1      (f) The method by which disputes will be resolved between the

63-2  governing body of the charter school and the sponsor of the charter

63-3  school.

63-4      (g) The proposed curriculum for the charter school and, if

63-5  applicable to the grade level of pupils who are enrolled in the

63-6  charter school, the requirements for the pupils to receive a high

63-7  school diploma, including, without limitation, whether those pupils

63-8  will satisfy the requirements of the school district in which the

63-9  charter school is located for receipt of a high school diploma.

63-10     (h) The textbooks that will be used at the charter school.

63-11     (i) The qualifications of the persons who will provide instruction

63-12  at the charter school.

63-13     (j) Except as otherwise required by NRS 386.595, the process by

63-14  which the governing body of the charter school will negotiate

63-15  employment contracts with the employees of the charter school.

63-16     (k) A financial plan for the operation of the charter school. The

63-17  plan must include, without limitation, procedures for the audit of the

63-18  programs and finances of the charter school and guidelines for

63-19  determining the financial liability if the charter school is

63-20  unsuccessful.

63-21     (l) A statement of whether the charter school will provide for the

63-22  transportation of pupils to and from the charter school. If the charter

63-23  school will provide transportation, the application must include the

63-24  proposed plan for the transportation of pupils. If the charter school

63-25  will not provide transportation, the application must include a

63-26  statement that the charter school will work with the parents and

63-27  guardians of pupils enrolled in the charter school to develop a plan

63-28  for transportation to ensure that pupils have access to transportation

63-29  to and from the charter school.

63-30     (m) The procedure for the evaluation of teachers of the charter

63-31  school, if different from the procedure prescribed in NRS 391.3125.

63-32  If the procedure is different from the procedure prescribed in NRS

63-33  391.3125, the procedure for the evaluation of teachers of the charter

63-34  school must provide the same level of protection and otherwise

63-35  comply with the standards for evaluation set forth in NRS 391.3125.

63-36     (n) The time by which certain academic or educational results

63-37  will be achieved.

63-38     (o) The kind of school, as defined in subsections 1 to 4,

63-39  inclusive, of NRS 388.020, for which the charter school intends to

63-40  operate.

63-41     3.  The Department shall review an application to form a charter

63-42  school to determine whether it is complete. [If] Except as otherwise

63-43  provided in section 27 of this act, if an application proposes to

63-44  convert an existing public school, home school or other program of

63-45  home study into a charter school, the Department shall deny the


64-1  application. The Department shall provide written notice to

64-2  the applicant of its approval or denial of the application. If the

64-3  Department denies an application, the Department shall include in

64-4  the written notice the reason for the denial and the deficiencies in

64-5  the application. The applicant must be granted 30 days after receipt

64-6  of the written notice to correct any deficiencies identified in the

64-7  written notice and resubmit the application.

64-8      4.  As used in subsection 1, “teacher” means a person who:

64-9      (a) Holds a current license to teach issued pursuant to chapter

64-10  391 of NRS; and

64-11     (b) Has at least 2 years of experience as an employed

64-12  teacher.

64-13  The term does not include a person who is employed as a substitute

64-14  teacher.

64-15     Sec. 51.  NRS 386.550 is hereby amended to read as follows:

64-16     386.550  1.  A charter school shall:

64-17     (a) Comply with all laws and regulations relating to

64-18  discrimination and civil rights.

64-19     (b) Remain nonsectarian, including, without limitation, in its

64-20  educational programs, policies for admission and employment

64-21  practices.

64-22     (c) Refrain from charging tuition or fees, levying taxes or

64-23  issuing bonds.

64-24     (d) Comply with any plan for desegregation ordered by a court

64-25  that is in effect in the school district in which the charter school is

64-26  located.

64-27     (e) Comply with the provisions of chapter 241 of NRS.

64-28     (f) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, schedule and

64-29  provide annually at least as many days of instruction as are required

64-30  of other public schools located in the same school district as the

64-31  charter school is located. The governing body of a charter school

64-32  may submit a written request to the Superintendent of Public

64-33  Instruction for a waiver from providing the days of instruction

64-34  required by this paragraph. The Superintendent of Public Instruction

64-35  may grant such a request if the governing body demonstrates to the

64-36  satisfaction of the Superintendent that:

64-37         (1) Extenuating circumstances exist to justify the waiver; and

64-38         (2) The charter school will provide at least as many hours or

64-39  minutes of instruction as would be provided under a program

64-40  consisting of 180 days.

64-41     (g) Cooperate with the board of trustees of the school district in

64-42  the administration of the achievement and proficiency examinations

64-43  administered pursuant to NRS 389.015 [and the examinations

64-44  required pursuant to NRS 389.550] to the pupils who are enrolled in

64-45  the charter school.


65-1      (h) Comply with applicable statutes and regulations governing

65-2  the achievement and proficiency of pupils in this state.

65-3      (i) Provide instruction in the core academic subjects set forth in

65-4  subsection 1 of NRS 389.018, as applicable for the grade levels of

65-5  pupils who are enrolled in the charter school, and provide at least

65-6  the courses of study that are required of pupils by statute or

65-7  regulation for promotion to the next grade or graduation from a

65-8  public high school and require the pupils who are enrolled in the

65-9  charter school to take those courses of study. This paragraph does

65-10  not preclude a charter school from offering, or requiring the pupils

65-11  who are enrolled in the charter school to take, other courses of study

65-12  that are required by statute or regulation.

65-13     (j) If the parent or legal guardian of a child submits an

65-14  application to enroll in kindergarten, first grade or second grade at

65-15  the charter school, comply with NRS 392.040 regarding the ages for

65-16  enrollment in those grades.

65-17     (k) Refrain from using public money to purchase real property

65-18  or buildings without the approval of the sponsor.

65-19     (l) Hold harmless, indemnify and defend the sponsor of the

65-20  charter school against any claim or liability arising from an act or

65-21  omission by the governing body of the charter school or an

65-22  employee or officer of the charter school. An action at law may not

65-23  be maintained against the sponsor of a charter school for any cause

65-24  of action for which the charter school has obtained liability

65-25  insurance.

65-26     (m) Provide written notice to the parents or legal guardians of

65-27  pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, who are enrolled in the charter

65-28  school of whether the charter school is accredited by the

65-29  Commission on Schools of the Northwest Association of Schools

65-30  and Colleges.

65-31     (n) Adopt a final budget in accordance with the regulations

65-32  adopted by the Department. A charter school is not required to adopt

65-33  a final budget pursuant to NRS 354.598 or otherwise comply with

65-34  the provisions of chapter 354 of NRS.

65-35     (o) If the charter school provides a program of distance

65-36  education pursuant to NRS 388.820 to 388.874, inclusive, comply

65-37  with all statutes and regulations that are applicable to a program of

65-38  distance education for purposes of the operation of the program.

65-39     2.  A charter school shall not provide instruction through a

65-40  program of distance education to children who are exempt from

65-41  compulsory attendance authorized by the State Board pursuant to

65-42  subsection 1 of NRS 392.070. As used in this subsection, “distance

65-43  education” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 388.826.

 

 


66-1      Sec. 52.  NRS 386.560 is hereby amended to read as follows:

66-2      386.560  1.  The governing body of a charter school may

66-3  contract with the board of trustees of the school district in which the

66-4  charter school is located or the University and Community College

66-5  System of Nevada for the provision of facilities to operate the

66-6  charter school or to perform any service relating to the operation of

66-7  the charter school, including, without limitation, transportation and

66-8  the provision of health services for the pupils who are enrolled in

66-9  the charter school.

66-10     2.  A charter school may use any public facility located within

66-11  the school district in which the charter school is located. [A] Except

66-12  as otherwise provided in this subsection, a charter school may use

66-13  school buildings owned by the school district only upon approval of

66-14  the board of trustees of the school district and during times that are

66-15  not regular school hours. The approval of the board of trustees is

66-16  not required and the restrictions on time do not apply to a charter

66-17  school that is opened pursuant to section 27 of this act.

66-18     3.  The board of trustees of a school district may donate surplus

66-19  personal property of the school district to a charter school that is

66-20  located within the school district.

66-21     4.  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, upon the

66-22  request of a parent or legal guardian of a pupil who is enrolled in a

66-23  charter school, the board of trustees of the school district in which

66-24  the charter school is located shall authorize the pupil to participate

66-25  in a class that is not available to the pupil at the charter school or

66-26  participate in an extracurricular activity, excluding sports, at a

66-27  public school within the school district if:

66-28     (a) Space for the pupil in the class or extracurricular activity is

66-29  available; and

66-30     (b) The parent or legal guardian demonstrates to the satisfaction

66-31  of the board of trustees that the pupil is qualified to participate in the

66-32  class or extracurricular activity.

66-33  If the board of trustees of a school district authorizes a pupil to

66-34  participate in a class or extracurricular activity, excluding sports,

66-35  pursuant to this subsection, the board of trustees is not required to

66-36  provide transportation for the pupil to attend the class or activity.

66-37  The provisions of this subsection do not apply to a pupil who is

66-38  enrolled in a charter school and who desires to participate on a part-

66-39  time basis in a program of distance education provided by the board

66-40  of trustees of a school district pursuant to NRS 388.820 to 388.874,

66-41  inclusive. Such a pupil must comply with NRS 388.858.

66-42     5.  Upon the request of a parent or legal guardian of a pupil who

66-43  is enrolled in a charter school, the board of trustees of the school

66-44  district in which the charter school is located shall authorize the

66-45  pupil to participate in sports at the public school that he would


67-1  otherwise be required to attend within the school district, or upon

67-2  approval of the board of trustees, any public school within the same

67-3  zone of attendance as the charter school if:

67-4      (a) Space is available for the pupil to participate; and

67-5      (b) The parent or legal guardian demonstrates to the satisfaction

67-6  of the board of trustees that the pupil is qualified to

67-7  participate.

67-8  If the board of trustees of a school district authorizes a pupil to

67-9  participate in sports pursuant to this subsection, the board of trustees

67-10  is not required to provide transportation for the pupil to participate.

67-11     6.  The board of trustees of a school district may revoke its

67-12  approval for a pupil to participate in a class, extracurricular activity

67-13  or sports at a public school pursuant to subsections 4 and 5 if the

67-14  board of trustees or the public school determines that the pupil has

67-15  failed to comply with applicable statutes, or applicable rules and

67-16  regulations of the board of trustees, the public school or an

67-17  association for interscholastic activities. If the board of trustees so

67-18  revokes its approval, neither the board of trustees nor the public

67-19  school are liable for any damages relating to the denial of services to

67-20  the pupil.

67-21     Sec. 53.  NRS 386.590 is hereby amended to read as follows:

67-22     386.590  1.  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection,

67-23  at least 70 percent of the teachers who provide instruction at a

67-24  charter school must be licensed teachers. If a charter school is a

67-25  vocational school, the charter school shall, to the extent practicable,

67-26  ensure that at least 70 percent of the teachers who provide

67-27  instruction at the school are licensed teachers, but in no event may

67-28  more than 50 percent of the teachers who provide instruction at the

67-29  school be unlicensed teachers.

67-30     2.  A governing body of a charter school shall employ:

67-31     (a) If the charter school offers instruction in kindergarten or

67-32  grade 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, a licensed teacher to teach pupils who are

67-33  enrolled in those grades.

67-34     (b) [If] Except as otherwise provided in subsections 3 and 4, if

67-35  the charter school offers instruction in grade 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12,

67-36  a licensed teacher to teach pupils who are enrolled in those grades

67-37  for the following courses of study:

67-38         (1) English, including reading, composition and writing;

67-39         (2) Mathematics;

67-40         (3) Science; and

67-41         (4) Social studies, which includes only the subjects of

67-42  history, geography, economics and government.

67-43     (c) In addition to the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b):


68-1          (1) If a charter school specializes in arts and humanities,

68-2  physical education or health education, a licensed teacher to teach

68-3  those courses of study.

68-4          (2) If a charter school specializes in the construction industry

68-5  or other building industry, licensed teachers to teach courses of

68-6  study relating to the industry if those teachers are employed full

68-7  time.

68-8          (3) If a charter school specializes in the construction industry

68-9  or other building industry and the school offers courses of study in

68-10  computer education, technology or business, licensed teachers to

68-11  teach those courses of study if those teachers are employed full

68-12  time.

68-13     3.  A teacher who is initially hired on or after January 1,

68-14  2006, by a charter school that operates as a middle school or

68-15  junior high school as set forth in its written charter must hold a

68-16  license to teach middle school or junior high school education, a

68-17  license to teach secondary education or otherwise possess the

68-18  qualifications required by 20 U.S.C. § 6319(a) if he teaches one or

68-19  more of the following subjects in grade 7, 8 or 9:

68-20     (a) English, reading or language arts;

68-21     (b) Mathematics;

68-22     (c) Science;

68-23     (d) Foreign language;

68-24     (e) Civics or government;

68-25     (f) Economics;

68-26     (g) Geography;

68-27     (h) History; or

68-28     (i) The arts.

68-29     4.  A teacher who is initially hired on or after January 1,

68-30  2006, by a charter school that operates as a high school as set

68-31  forth in its written charter must hold a license to teach secondary

68-32  education or otherwise possess the qualifications required by 20

68-33  U.S.C. § 6319(a) if he teaches one or more of the subjects set forth

68-34  in subsection 3.

68-35     5.  A charter school may employ a person who is not licensed

68-36  pursuant to the provisions of chapter 391 of NRS to teach a course

68-37  of study for which a licensed teacher is not required pursuant to

68-38  [subsection 2] subsections 2, 3 and 4 if the person has:

68-39     (a) A degree, a license or a certificate in the field for which he is

68-40  employed to teach at the charter school; and

68-41     (b) At least 2 years of experience in that field.

68-42     [4.] 6.  A charter school may employ such administrators for

68-43  the school as it deems necessary. A person employed as an

68-44  administrator must possess:


69-1      (a) A master’s degree in school administration, public

69-2  administration or business administration; or

69-3      (b) If the person has at least 5 years of experience in

69-4  administration, a baccalaureate degree.

69-5      [5.] 7.  A charter school shall not employ a person pursuant to

69-6  this section if his license to teach or provide other educational

69-7  services has been revoked or suspended in this state or another state.

69-8      [6.] 8.  On or before November 15 of each year, a charter

69-9  school shall submit to the Department, in a format prescribed by the

69-10  Superintendent of Public Instruction, the following information for

69-11  each licensed employee who is employed by the governing body on

69-12  October 1 of that year:

69-13     (a) The amount of salary of the employee; and

69-14     (b) The designated assignment, as that term is defined by the

69-15  Department, of the employee.

69-16     9.  For the purposes of subsections 3 and 4, a person is not

69-17  “initially hired” if he has been employed as a licensed teacher by

69-18  another school district or charter school in this state without an

69-19  interruption in employment before the date of hire by his current

69-20  employer.

69-21     Sec. 54.  NRS 386.605 is hereby amended to read as follows:

69-22     386.605  1.  On or before January 1 of each year, the

69-23  governing body of each charter school shall submit the information

69-24  concerning the charter school that is required pursuant to subsection

69-25  2 of NRS 385.347 to the board of trustees of the school district in

69-26  which the charter school is located, regardless of the sponsor of the

69-27  charter school, for inclusion in the report of the school district

69-28  pursuant to that section. The information must be submitted by the

69-29  charter school in a format prescribed by the board of trustees.

69-30     2.  On or before April [15] 1 of each year, the governing body

69-31  of each charter school shall submit the information applicable to the

69-32  charter school that is contained in the report pursuant to paragraph

69-33  (t) of subsection 2 of NRS 385.347 to the Commission on

69-34  Educational Technology created pursuant to NRS 388.790.

69-35     3.  [On or before June 15 of each year, the governing body of

69-36  each charter school shall prepare a:

69-37     (a) Separate written report summarizing the effectiveness of the

69-38  charter school’s program of accountability. The report must include:

69-39         (1) A review and analysis of the data upon which the report

69-40  required pursuant to subsection 2 of NRS 385.347 is based and a

69-41  review and analysis of any data that is more recent than the data

69-42  upon which the report is based;

69-43         (2) The identification of any problems or factors at the

69-44  charter school that are revealed by the review and analysis; and


70-1          (3) A summary of the efforts that the governing body has

70-2  made or intends to make to ensure that the teachers and other

70-3  educational personnel employed by the governing body receive

70-4  training and other professional development in:

70-5              (I) The standards of content and performance established

70-6  by the Council to Establish Academic Standards for Public Schools

70-7  pursuant to NRS 389.520;

70-8              (II) The assessment and measurement of pupil

70-9  achievement and the effective methods to analyze the test results

70-10  and scores of pupils to improve the achievement and proficiency of

70-11  pupils; and

70-12             (III) Specific content areas to enable the teachers and

70-13  other educational personnel to provide a higher level of instruction

70-14  in their respective fields of teaching.

70-15     (b) Written procedure to improve the achievement of pupils who

70-16  are enrolled in the charter school, including, but not limited to, a

70-17  description of the efforts the governing body has made to correct

70-18  any deficiencies identified in the written report required pursuant to

70-19  paragraph (a). The written procedure must describe sources of data

70-20  that will be used by the governing body to evaluate the effectiveness

70-21  of the written procedure.

70-22     4.  On or before June 15 of each year, the governing body of

70-23  each charter school shall submit copies of the written report and

70-24  written procedure required pursuant to subsection 3 to the:

70-25     (a) Governor;

70-26     (b) State Board;

70-27     (c) Department;

70-28     (d) Legislative Committee on Education created pursuant to

70-29  NRS 218.5352;

70-30     (e) Legislative Bureau of Educational Accountability and

70-31  Program Evaluation created pursuant to NRS 218.5356; and

70-32     (f) Board of trustees of the school district in which the charter

70-33  school is located.

70-34     5.  The Department shall maintain a record of the information

70-35  that it receives from each charter school pursuant to this section in

70-36  such a manner as will allow the Department to create for each

70-37  charter school a yearly profile of information.

70-38     6.  The governing body of each charter school shall ensure that

70-39  a copy of the written report and written procedure required pursuant

70-40  to subsection 3 is included with the final budget of the charter

70-41  school adopted by the governing body of the charter school pursuant

70-42  to the regulations of the Department.

70-43     7.]  The Legislative Bureau of Educational Accountability and

70-44  Program Evaluation created pursuant to NRS 218.5356 may

70-45  authorize a person or entity with whom it contracts pursuant to NRS


71-1  385.359 to review and analyze information submitted by charter

71-2  schools pursuant to this section[,] and section 9 of this act, consult

71-3  with the governing bodies of charter schools and submit written

71-4  reports concerning charter schools pursuant to NRS 385.359.

71-5      Sec. 55.  NRS 386.650 is hereby amended to read as follows:

71-6      386.650  1.  The Department shall establish and maintain a

71-7  statewide automated system of information concerning pupils. The

71-8  system must [be] :

71-9      (a) Have the capacity to provide and report information,

71-10  including, without limitation, the results of the achievement of

71-11  pupils:

71-12         (1) In the manner required by 20 U.S.C. §§ 6301 et seq.,

71-13  and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto, and NRS 385.347

71-14  and section 6 of this act; and

71-15         (2) In a separate reporting for each subgroup of pupils

71-16  identified in paragraph (d) of subsection 1 of section 4 of this act;

71-17     (b) Include a system of unique identification for each pupil to

71-18  ensure that individual pupils may be tracked over time throughout

71-19  this state;

71-20     (c) Have the capacity to provide longitudinal comparisons of

71-21  the academic achievement, rate of attendance and rate of

71-22  graduation of pupils over time throughout this state;

71-23     (d) Have the capacity to perform a variety of longitudinal

71-24  analyses of the results of individual pupils on assessments,

71-25  including, without limitation, the results of pupils by classroom

71-26  and by school; and

71-27     (e) Be designed to improve the ability of the Department, school

71-28  districts and the public schools in this state, including, without

71-29  limitation, charter schools, to account for the pupils who are

71-30  enrolled in the public schools, including, without limitation, charter

71-31  schools.

71-32     2.  The board of trustees of each school district shall:

71-33     (a) Adopt and maintain the program prescribed by the

71-34  Superintendent of Public Instruction pursuant to subsection 3 for

71-35  the collection, maintenance and transfer of data from the records of

71-36  individual pupils to the statewide automated system of information,

71-37  including, without limitation, the development of plans for the

71-38  educational technology which is necessary to adopt and maintain the

71-39  program;

71-40     (b) Provide to the Department electronic data concerning pupils

71-41  as required by the Superintendent of Public Instruction pursuant to

71-42  subsection 3; and

71-43     (c) Ensure that an electronic record is maintained in accordance

71-44  with subsection 3 of NRS 386.655.

71-45     3.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall:


72-1      (a) Prescribe a uniform program throughout this state for the

72-2  collection, maintenance and transfer of data that each school

72-3  district must adopt, which may include standardized software;

72-4      (b) Prescribe the data to be collected and reported to the

72-5  Department by each school district pursuant to subsection 2,

72-6  including, without limitation, data relating to each charter school

72-7  located within a school district regardless of the sponsor of the

72-8  charter school;

72-9      [(b)] (c) Prescribe the format for the data;

72-10     [(c)] (d) Prescribe the date by which each school district shall

72-11  report the data;

72-12     [(d)] (e) Prescribe the date by which each charter school located

72-13  within a school district shall report the data to the school district for

72-14  incorporation into the report of the school district, regardless of the

72-15  sponsor of the charter school;

72-16     [(e)] (f) Provide technical assistance to each school district to

72-17  ensure that the data from each public school in the school district,

72-18  including, without limitation, each charter school located within the

72-19  school district, is compatible with the statewide automated system

72-20  of information and comparable to the data reported by other school

72-21  districts; and

72-22     [(f)] (g) Provide for the analysis and reporting of the data in the

72-23  statewide automated system of information.

72-24     4.  The Department shall establish, to the extent authorized by

72-25  the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, 20 U.S.C.

72-26  § 1232g, and any regulations adopted pursuant thereto, a

72-27  mechanism by which persons or entities, including, without

72-28  limitation, state officers who are members of the Executive or

72-29  Legislative Branch, administrators of public schools and school

72-30  districts, teachers and other educational personnel, and parents

72-31  and guardians, will have different types of access to the

72-32  accountability information contained within the statewide

72-33  automated system to the extent that such information is necessary

72-34  for the performance of a duty or to the extent that such

72-35  information may be made available to the general public without

72-36  posing a threat to the confidentiality of an individual pupil.

72-37     5.  The Department may, to the extent authorized by the

72-38  Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, 20 U.S.C. §

72-39  1232g, and any regulations adopted pursuant thereto, enter into

72-40  an agreement with the University and Community College System

72-41  of Nevada to provide access to data contained within the statewide

72-42  automated system for research purposes.

 

 

 


73-1      Sec. 56.  NRS 388.020 is hereby amended to read as follows:

73-2      388.020  1.  An elementary school is a public school in which

73-3  grade work is not given above that included in the eighth grade,

73-4  according to the regularly adopted state course of study.

73-5      2.  A junior high or middle school is a public school in which

73-6  the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth grades are taught under a course

73-7  of study prescribed and approved by the State Board. [The school is

73-8  an elementary or secondary school for the purpose of the licensure

73-9  of teachers.]

73-10     3.  A high school is a public school in which subjects above the

73-11  eighth grade, according to the state course of study, may be taught.

73-12  The school is a secondary school for the purpose of the licensure of

73-13  teachers.

73-14     4.  A special school is an organized unit of instruction operating

73-15  with approval of the State Board.

73-16     5.  A charter school is a public school that is formed pursuant to

73-17  the provisions of NRS 386.500 to 386.610, inclusive[.] , and

73-18  section 46 of this act.

73-19     Sec. 57.  NRS 388.405 is hereby amended to read as follows:

73-20     388.405  [1.]  The State Board [of Education shall establish]

73-21  shall:

73-22     1.  Establish a program to teach the English language to pupils

73-23  [whose:

73-24     (a) Primary language is not English;

73-25     (b) Proficiency in the English language is below the average

73-26  proficiency of pupils at the same age or grade level whose primary

73-27  language is English; and

73-28     (c) Probability of success in a classroom in which courses of

73-29  study are taught only in the English language is impaired because of

73-30  their limited proficiency in the English language.

73-31     2.  The State Board of Education shall adopt] who are limited

73-32  English proficient.

73-33     2.  Adopt regulations to carry out the program. The regulations

73-34  must prescribe the procedure by which a school district may obtain a

73-35  waiver from the requirements of the program.

73-36     3.  Submit all evaluations required pursuant to 20 U.S.C. §§

73-37  6801 et seq. and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto

73-38  regarding the programs for pupils who are limited English

73-39  proficient carried out pursuant to that provision of federal law to

73-40  the:

73-41     (a) Governor;

73-42     (b) Committee;

73-43     (c) Bureau; and

73-44     (d) Board of trustees of each school district.

 


74-1      Sec. 58.  NRS 388.795 is hereby amended to read as follows:

74-2      388.795  1.  The Commission shall establish a plan for the use

74-3  of educational technology in the public schools of this state. In

74-4  preparing the plan, the Commission shall consider:

74-5      (a) Plans that have been adopted by the Department and the

74-6  school districts in this state;

74-7      (b) Plans that have been adopted in other states;

74-8      (c) The information submitted to the Commission by the board

74-9  of trustees of each school district pursuant to subsection [2 of NRS

74-10  385.351;] 7 of NRS 385.347; and

74-11     (d) Any other information that the Commission or the

74-12  Committee deems relevant to the preparation of the plan.

74-13     2.  The plan established by the Commission must include

74-14  recommendations for methods to:

74-15     (a) Incorporate educational technology into the public schools of

74-16  this state;

74-17     (b) Increase the number of pupils in the public schools of this

74-18  state who have access to educational technology;

74-19     (c) Increase the availability of educational technology to assist

74-20  licensed teachers and other educational personnel in complying with

74-21  the requirements of continuing education, including, but not limited

74-22  to, the receipt of credit for college courses completed through the

74-23  use of educational technology;

74-24     (d) Facilitate the exchange of ideas to improve the achievement

74-25  of pupils who are enrolled in the public schools of this state; and

74-26     (e) Address the needs of teachers in incorporating the use of

74-27  educational technology in the classroom, including, but not limited

74-28  to, the completion of training that is sufficient to enable the teachers

74-29  to instruct pupils in the use of educational technology.

74-30     3.  The Department shall provide:

74-31     (a) Administrative support;

74-32     (b) Equipment; and

74-33     (c) Office space,

74-34  as is necessary for the Commission to carry out the provisions of

74-35  this section.

74-36     4.  The following entities shall cooperate with the Commission

74-37  in carrying out the provisions of this section:

74-38     (a) The State Board.

74-39     (b) The board of trustees of each school district.

74-40     (c) The superintendent of schools of each school district.

74-41     (d) The Department.

74-42     5.  The Commission shall:

74-43     (a) Develop technical standards for educational technology and

74-44  any electrical or structural appurtenances necessary thereto,

74-45  including, without limitation, uniform specifications for computer


75-1  hardware and wiring, to ensure that such technology is compatible,

75-2  uniform and can be interconnected throughout the public schools of

75-3  this state.

75-4      (b) Allocate money to the school districts from the Trust Fund

75-5  for Educational Technology created pursuant to NRS 388.800 and

75-6  any money appropriated by the Legislature for educational

75-7  technology, subject to any priorities for such allocation established

75-8  by the Legislature.

75-9      (c) Establish criteria for the board of trustees of a school district

75-10  that receives an allocation of money from the Commission to:

75-11         (1) Repair, replace and maintain computer systems.

75-12         (2) Upgrade and improve computer hardware and software

75-13  and other educational technology.

75-14         (3) Provide training, installation and technical support related

75-15  to the use of educational technology within the district.

75-16     (d) Submit to the Governor, the Committee and the Department

75-17  its plan for the use of educational technology in the public schools

75-18  of this state and any recommendations for legislation.

75-19     (e) Review the plan annually and make revisions as it deems

75-20  necessary or as directed by the Committee or the Department.

75-21     (f) In addition to the recommendations set forth in the plan

75-22  pursuant to subsection 2, make further recommendations to the

75-23  Committee and the Department as the Commission deems

75-24  necessary.

75-25     6.  The Commission may appoint an advisory committee

75-26  composed of members of the Commission or other qualified persons

75-27  to provide recommendations to the Commission regarding standards

75-28  for the establishment, coordination and use of a telecommunications

75-29  network in the public schools throughout the various school districts

75-30  in this state. The advisory committee serves at the pleasure of the

75-31  Commission and without compensation unless an appropriation or

75-32  other money for that purpose is provided by the Legislature.

75-33     7.  As used in this section, “public school” includes the Caliente

75-34  Youth Center and the Nevada Youth Training Center.

75-35     Sec. 59.  NRS 388.846 is hereby amended to read as follows:

75-36     388.846  1.  If the board of trustees of a school district

75-37  provides a program of distance education, the board of trustees shall

75-38  ensure that the persons who operate the program on a day-to-day

75-39  basis comply with and carry out all applicable requirements,

75-40  statutes, regulations, rules and policies of the school district,

75-41  including, without limitation:

75-42     (a) Graduation requirements;

75-43     (b) Accountability of public schools, as set forth in NRS

75-44  385.3455 to 385.391, inclusive[;] ,

75-45  and sections 2 to 37, inclusive, of this act;


76-1      (c) Provisions governing the attendance and truancy of pupils, as

76-2  set forth in NRS 392.040 to 392.220, inclusive; and

76-3      (d) Discipline of pupils.

76-4      2.  If the governing body of a charter school provides a program

76-5  of distance education, the governing body shall:

76-6      (a) For each pupil who is enrolled in the program, provide

76-7  written notice to the board of trustees of the school district in which

76-8  the pupil resides of the type of educational services that will be

76-9  provided to the pupil through the program. The written notice must

76-10  be provided to the board of trustees before the pupil receives

76-11  educational services through the program of distance education.

76-12     (b) Ensure that the persons who operate the program on a day-

76-13  to-day basis comply with and carry out all applicable requirements,

76-14  statutes, regulations, rules and policies of the charter school,

76-15  including, without limitation:

76-16         (1) Graduation requirements;

76-17         (2) Accountability of public schools, as set forth in NRS

76-18  385.3455 to 385.391, inclusive[;] , and sections 2 to 37, inclusive,

76-19  of this act;

76-20         (3) Provisions governing the attendance and truancy of

76-21  pupils, as set forth in NRS 392.040 to 392.220, inclusive; and

76-22         (4) Discipline of pupils.

76-23     Sec. 60.  NRS 388.862 is hereby amended to read as follows:

76-24     388.862  1.  If a pupil is enrolled full time in a program of

76-25  distance education provided by the board of trustees of a school

76-26  district, the board of trustees that provides the program shall declare

76-27  for each such pupil one public school within that school district [to]

76-28  with which the pupil is affiliated. The board of trustees may declare

76-29  that all the pupils enrolled in the program of distance education are

76-30  affiliated with one public school within the school district, or it may

76-31  declare individual public schools for the pupils enrolled in the

76-32  program. Upon the declared affiliation, the pupil shall be deemed

76-33  enrolled in that public school for purposes of all the applicable

76-34  requirements, statutes, regulations, rules and policies of that public

76-35  school and school district, including, without limitation:

76-36     (a) Graduation requirements;

76-37     (b) Accountability of public schools, as set forth in NRS

76-38  385.3455 to 385.391, inclusive[;] ,

76-39  and sections 2 to 37, inclusive, of this act;

76-40     (c) Provisions governing the attendance and truancy of pupils, as

76-41  set forth in NRS 392.040 to 392.220, inclusive; and

76-42     (d) Discipline of pupils.

76-43     2.  A pupil who is enrolled full time in a program of distance

76-44  education provided by a charter school shall be deemed enrolled in

76-45  the charter school. All the applicable requirements, including,


77-1  without limitation, statutes, regulations, rules and policies of that

77-2  charter school apply to such a pupil, including, without limitation:

77-3      (a) Graduation requirements;

77-4      (b) Accountability of public schools, as set forth in NRS

77-5  385.3455 to 385.391, inclusive[;] , and sections 2 to 37, inclusive,

77-6  of this act;

77-7      (c) Provisions governing the attendance and truancy of pupils, as

77-8  set forth in NRS 392.040 to 392.220, inclusive; and

77-9      (d) Discipline of pupils.

77-10     3.  If a pupil is enrolled part time in a program of distance

77-11  education, all the applicable requirements, statutes, regulations,

77-12  rules and policies of the public school of the school district in which

77-13  the pupil is otherwise enrolled or the charter school in which the

77-14  pupil is otherwise enrolled apply to such a pupil, including, without

77-15  limitation:

77-16     (a) Graduation requirements;

77-17     (b) Accountability of public schools, as set forth in NRS

77-18  385.3455 to 385.391, inclusive[;] ,

77-19  and sections 2 to 37, inclusive, of this act;

77-20     (c) Provisions governing the attendance and truancy of pupils, as

77-21  set forth in NRS 392.040 to 392.220, inclusive; and

77-22     (d) Discipline of pupils.

77-23     Sec. 61.  NRS 388.874 is hereby amended to read as follows:

77-24     388.874  1.  The State Board shall adopt regulations that

77-25  prescribe:

77-26     (a) The process for submission of an application by a person or

77-27  entity for inclusion of a course of distance education on the list

77-28  prepared by the Department pursuant to NRS 388.834 and the

77-29  contents of the application;

77-30     (b) The process for submission of an application by the board of

77-31  trustees of a school district or the governing body of a charter school

77-32  to provide a program of distance education and the contents of the

77-33  application;

77-34     (c) The qualifications and conditions for enrollment that a pupil

77-35  must satisfy to enroll in a program of distance education, consistent

77-36  with NRS 388.850;

77-37     (d) A method for reporting to the Department the number of

77-38  pupils who are enrolled in a program of distance education and the

77-39  attendance of those pupils;

77-40     (e) The requirements for assessing the achievement of pupils

77-41  who are enrolled in a program of distance education, which must

77-42  include, without limitation, the administration of the achievement

77-43  and proficiency examinations required pursuant to NRS 389.015 ;

77-44  [and 389.550;] and


78-1      (f) A written description of the process pursuant to which the

78-2  State Board may revoke its approval for the operation of a program

78-3  of distance education.

78-4      2.  The State Board may adopt regulations as it determines are

78-5  necessary to carry out the provisions of NRS 388.820 to 388.874,

78-6  inclusive.

78-7      Sec. 62.  Chapter 389 of NRS is hereby amended by adding

78-8  thereto the provisions set forth as sections 63 and 64 of this act.

78-9      Sec. 63.  1.  The board of trustees of each school district and

78-10  the governing body of each charter school shall ensure that each

78-11  pupil who is limited English proficient and is enrolled in the

78-12  school district or charter school, as applicable, participates in the

78-13  achievement and proficiency examinations administered pursuant

78-14  to this chapter. The State Board shall prescribe reasonable

78-15  modifications and accommodations that may be used in the

78-16  administration of an examination to a pupil who is limited English

78-17  proficient and who is unable to take an examination under regular

78-18  testing conditions. The results of each pupil who is limited English

78-19  proficient and who takes an examination with modifications and

78-20  accommodations must be reported and included within the

78-21  determination of whether the school and the school district have

78-22  made adequate yearly progress.

78-23     2.  The board of trustees of a school district and the governing

78-24  body of a charter school shall administer to a pupil who is limited

78-25  English proficient:

78-26     (a) To the extent practicable, examinations in mathematics

78-27  and science required by subsection 1 in the language most likely to

78-28  yield accurate and reliable information on what the pupil knows.

78-29     (b) To the extent practicable, examinations in reading required

78-30  by subsection 1 in the language most likely to yield accurate and

78-31  reliable information on what the pupil knows if the pupil has

78-32  attended public schools in the United States for less than 3

78-33  consecutive years.

78-34     (c) If the pupil has attended public schools in the United States

78-35  for 3 consecutive years but less than 5 consecutive years:

78-36         (1) Examinations in reading required by subsection 1 in the

78-37  English language; or

78-38         (2) Examinations in reading required by subsection 1 in the

78-39  language most likely to yield accurate and reliable information on

78-40  what the pupil knows if the board of trustees determines that the

78-41  pupil has not reached a level of English proficiency sufficient to

78-42  yield valid and reliable information on what the pupil knows.

78-43     (d) If the pupil has attended public schools in the United States

78-44  for 5 consecutive years or more, examinations in reading required

78-45  by subsection 1 in the English language.


79-1      3.  The State Board shall prescribe an assessment of

79-2  proficiency in the English language for pupils who are limited

79-3  English proficient to measure oral language skills, reading skills

79-4  and writing skills. The board of trustees of each school district and

79-5  the governing body of each charter school shall administer the

79-6  assessment annually at the time prescribed by the State Board. A

79-7  pupil who takes the assessment prescribed pursuant to this

79-8  subsection is not exempt from the achievement and proficiency

79-9  examinations administered pursuant to this chapter.

79-10     Sec. 64.  1.  If a pupil with a disability is unable to take an

79-11  examination administered pursuant to NRS 389.015 or 389.550

79-12  under regular testing conditions, the pupil may take the

79-13  examination with modifications and accommodations that the

79-14  pupil’s individualized education program team determines, in

79-15  consultation with the Department and in accordance with the

79-16  Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1400 et

79-17  seq., and the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, 20 U.S.C. §§ 6301

79-18  et seq., are necessary to measure the progress of the pupil. If

79-19  modifications or accommodations are made in the administration

79-20  of an examination for a pupil with a disability, the modifications

79-21  or accommodations must be set forth in the pupil’s individualized

79-22  education program. The results of each pupil with a disability who

79-23  takes an examination with modifications or accommodations must

79-24  be reported and must be included in the determination of whether

79-25  the school and the school district have made adequate yearly

79-26  progress.

79-27     2.  The State Board shall prescribe an alternate examination

79-28  for administration to a pupil with a disability if the pupil’s

79-29  individualized education program team determines, in

79-30  consultation with the Department, that the pupil cannot

79-31  participate in all or a portion of an examination administered

79-32  pursuant to NRS 389.015 or 389.550 even with modifications and

79-33  accommodations. The results of a pupil with a disability who takes

79-34  an alternate examination must not be included in the

79-35  determination of whether the school and the school district have

79-36  made adequate yearly progress.

79-37     3.  The State Board shall prescribe, in accordance with the

79-38  Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1400 et

79-39  seq., and the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, 20 U.S.C. §§ 6301

79-40  et seq., the modifications and accommodations that may be used in

79-41  the administration of an examination to a pupil with a disability

79-42  who is unable to take the examination under regular testing

79-43  conditions.

 

 


80-1      4.  As used in this section:

80-2      (a) “Individualized education program” has the meaning

80-3  ascribed to it in 20 U.S.C. § 1414(d)(1)(A).

80-4      (b) “Individualized education program team” has the meaning

80-5  ascribed to it in 20 U.S.C. § 1414(d)(1)(B).

80-6      Sec. 65.  NRS 389.012 is hereby amended to read as follows:

80-7      389.012  The State Board shall:

80-8      1.  In accordance with guidelines established by the National

80-9  Assessment Governing Board and National Center for Education

80-10  Statistics[,] and in accordance with 20 U.S.C. §§ 6301 et seq. and

80-11  the regulations adopted pursuant thereto, adopt regulations

80-12  requiring the schools of this state that are selected by the National

80-13  Assessment Governing Board or the National Center for Education

80-14  Statistics to participate in the examinations of the National

80-15  Assessment of Educational Progress.

80-16     2.  Report the results of those examinations to the:

80-17     (a) Governor;

80-18     (b) Board of trustees of each school district of this state;

80-19     (c) Legislative Committee on Education created pursuant to

80-20  NRS 218.5352; and

80-21     (d) Legislative Bureau of Educational Accountability and

80-22  Program Evaluation created pursuant to NRS 218.5356.

80-23     3.  The report required pursuant to subsection 2 must include

80-24  an analysis and comparison of the results of pupils in this state on

80-25  the examinations required by this section with:

80-26     (a) The results of pupils throughout this country who

80-27  participated in the examinations of the National Assessment of

80-28  Educational Progress; and

80-29     (b) The results of pupils on the achievement and proficiency

80-30  examinations administered pursuant to this chapter.

80-31     Sec. 66.  NRS 389.015 is hereby amended to read as follows:

80-32     389.015  1.  The board of trustees of each school district shall

80-33  administer examinations in all public schools of the school district.

80-34  The governing body of a charter school shall administer the same

80-35  examinations in the charter school. The examinations administered

80-36  by the board of trustees and governing body must determine the

80-37  achievement and proficiency of pupils in:

80-38     (a) Reading;

80-39     (b) Writing;

80-40     (c) Mathematics; and

80-41     (d) Science.

80-42     2.  The examinations required by subsection 1 must be:

80-43     (a) Administered before the completion of grades 4, [8,] 7, 10

80-44  and 11.


81-1      (b) Administered in each school district and each charter school

81-2  at the same time. The time for the administration of the

81-3  examinations must be prescribed by the State Board.

81-4      (c) Administered in each school in accordance with uniform

81-5  procedures adopted by the State Board. The Department shall

81-6  monitor the compliance of school districts and individual schools

81-7  with the uniform procedures.

81-8      (d) Administered in each school in accordance with the plan

81-9  adopted pursuant to NRS 389.616 by the Department and with the

81-10  plan adopted pursuant to NRS 389.620 by the board of trustees of

81-11  the school district in which the examinations are administered. The

81-12  Department shall monitor the compliance of school districts and

81-13  individual schools with:

81-14         (1) The plan adopted by the Department; and

81-15         (2) The plan adopted by the board of trustees of the

81-16  applicable school district, to the extent that the plan adopted by the

81-17  board of trustees of the school district is consistent with the plan

81-18  adopted by the Department.

81-19     (e) Scored by the Department or a single private entity that has

81-20  contracted with the State Board to score the examinations. If a

81-21  private entity scores the examinations, it shall report the results of

81-22  the examinations in the form and by the date required by the

81-23  Department.

81-24     3.  Not more than 14 working days after the results of the

81-25  examinations are reported to the Department by a private entity that

81-26  scored the examinations or the Department completes the scoring of

81-27  the examinations, the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall

81-28  certify that the results of the examinations have been transmitted to

81-29  each school district and each charter school. Not more than 10

81-30  working days after a school district receives the results of the

81-31  examinations, the superintendent of schools of each school district

81-32  shall certify that the results of the examinations have been

81-33  transmitted to each school within the school district. Except as

81-34  otherwise provided in this subsection, not more than 15 working

81-35  days after each school receives the results of the examinations, the

81-36  principal of each school and the governing body of each charter

81-37  school shall certify that the results for each pupil have been

81-38  provided to the parent or legal guardian of the pupil:

81-39     (a) During a conference between the teacher of the pupil or

81-40  administrator of the school and the parent or legal guardian of the

81-41  pupil; or

81-42     (b) By mailing the results of the examinations to the last known

81-43  address of the parent or legal guardian of the pupil.

81-44  If a pupil fails the high school proficiency examination, the school

81-45  shall notify the pupil and the parents or legal guardian of the pupil


82-1  as soon as practicable but not later than 15 working days after the

82-2  school receives the results of the examination.

82-3      4.  [Different standards of proficiency may be adopted for

82-4  pupils with diagnosed learning disabilities. If a pupil with a

82-5  disability is unable to take an examination created by a private entity

82-6  under regular testing conditions or with modifications and

82-7  accommodations that are approved by the private entity, the pupil

82-8  may take the examination with modifications and accommodations

82-9  that are approved by the State Board pursuant to subsection 8. If a

82-10  pupil with a disability is unable to take an examination created by

82-11  the Department under regular testing conditions or with

82-12  modifications and accommodations that are approved by the

82-13  Department, the pupil may take the examination with modifications

82-14  and accommodations that are approved by the State Board pursuant

82-15  to subsection 8. The results of an examination that is taken under

82-16  conditions that are not approved by a private entity or the

82-17  Department, as applicable, must not be reported pursuant to

82-18  subsection 2 of NRS 389.017. If different standards of proficiency

82-19  are adopted or other modifications or accommodations are made in

82-20  the administration of the examinations for a pupil who is enrolled in

82-21  a program of special education pursuant to NRS 388.440 to

82-22  388.520, inclusive, other than a gifted and talented pupil, the

82-23  different standards adopted or other modifications or

82-24  accommodations must be set forth in the pupil’s program of special

82-25  education developed in accordance with the Individuals with

82-26  Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1400 et seq., and the

82-27  standards prescribed by the State Board. During the administration

82-28  of the high school proficiency examination, a pupil with a disability

82-29  may be given additional time to complete the examination if the

82-30  additional time is a modification or accommodation that is approved

82-31  in the pupil’s program of special education developed in accordance

82-32  with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. §§

82-33  1400 et seq.

82-34     5.]  If a pupil fails to demonstrate at least adequate achievement

82-35  on the examination administered before the completion of grade 4,

82-36  [8] 7 or 10, he may be promoted to the next higher grade, but the

82-37  results of his examination must be evaluated to determine what

82-38  remedial study is appropriate. If such a pupil is enrolled at a school

82-39  that has been designated as demonstrating need for improvement

82-40  pursuant to [subsection 1 of NRS 385.367,] section 14 of this act,

82-41  the pupil must, in accordance with the requirements set forth in this

82-42  subsection, complete remedial study that is determined to be

82-43  appropriate for the pupil.

82-44     [6.] 5.  If a pupil fails to pass the proficiency examination

82-45  administered before the completion of grade 11, he must not be


83-1  graduated until he is able, through remedial study, to pass the

83-2  proficiency examination, but he may be given a certificate of

83-3  attendance, in place of a diploma, if he has reached the age of 17

83-4  years.

83-5      [7.] 6.  The State Board shall prescribe standard examinations

83-6  of achievement and proficiency to be administered pursuant to

83-7  subsection 1. The high school proficiency examination must be

83-8  developed, printed and scored by a nationally recognized testing

83-9  company in accordance with the process established by the testing

83-10  company. The examinations on reading, mathematics and science

83-11  prescribed for grades 4, [8] 7 and 10 must be selected from

83-12  examinations created by private entities and administered to a

83-13  national reference group, and must allow for a comparison of the

83-14  achievement and proficiency of pupils in grades 4, [8] 7 and 10 in

83-15  this state to that of a national reference group of pupils in grades 4,

83-16  [8] 7 and 10. The questions contained in the examinations and the

83-17  approved answers used for grading them are confidential, and

83-18  disclosure is unlawful except:

83-19     (a) To the extent necessary for administering and evaluating the

83-20  examinations.

83-21     (b) That a disclosure may be made to a:

83-22         (1) State officer who is a member of the Executive or

83-23  Legislative Branch to the extent that it is necessary for the

83-24  performance of his duties;

83-25         (2) Superintendent of schools of a school district to the

83-26  extent that it is necessary for the performance of his duties;

83-27         (3) Director of curriculum of a school district to the extent

83-28  that it is necessary for the performance of his duties; and

83-29         (4) Director of testing of a school district to the extent that it

83-30  is necessary for the performance of his duties.

83-31     (c) That specific questions and answers may be disclosed if the

83-32  Superintendent of Public Instruction determines that the content of

83-33  the questions and answers is not being used in a current examination

83-34  and making the content available to the public poses no threat to the

83-35  security of the current examination process.

83-36     [8.  The State Board shall prescribe, in accordance with the

83-37  Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1400 et

83-38  seq., the modifications and accommodations that may be used in the

83-39  administration of an examination to a pupil with a disability who is

83-40  unable to take the examination under regular testing conditions or

83-41  with modifications and accommodations that are approved by the

83-42  private entity that created the examination or, if the Department

83-43  created the examination, by the Department. These regulations may

83-44  include, without limitation, authorizing a pupil to complete an

83-45  examination with additional time.]


84-1      Sec. 67.  NRS 389.015 is hereby amended to read as follows:

84-2      389.015  1.  The board of trustees of each school district shall

84-3  administer examinations in all public schools of the school district.

84-4  The governing body of a charter school shall administer the same

84-5  examinations in the charter school. The examinations administered

84-6  by the board of trustees and governing body must comply with 20

84-7  U.S.C. § 6311(b)(3) and must determine the achievement and

84-8  proficiency of pupils in:

84-9      (a) Reading;

84-10     (b) Writing;

84-11     (c) Mathematics; and

84-12     (d) Science.

84-13     2.  The examinations required by subsection 1 must be:

84-14     (a) [Administered before the completion of] For reading and

84-15  mathematics, administered to each pupil in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7[, 10

84-16  and 11.] and 8, and at least one time before the completion of

84-17  grade 12.

84-18     (b) For writing, administered to each pupil in grades 4 and 7,

84-19  and at least one time before the completion of grade 12.

84-20     (c) For science, administered to each pupil in grades 5 and 8.

84-21     (d) Administered in each school district and each charter school

84-22  at the same time. The [time for the administration of the]

84-23  examinations must be administered during the fall semester at a

84-24  time prescribed by the State Board.

84-25     [(c)] (e) Administered in each school in accordance with

84-26  uniform procedures adopted by the State Board. The Department

84-27  shall monitor the compliance of school districts and individual

84-28  schools with the uniform procedures.

84-29     [(d)] (f) Administered in each school in accordance with the

84-30  plan adopted pursuant to NRS 389.616 by the Department and with

84-31  the plan adopted pursuant to NRS 389.620 by the board of trustees

84-32  of the school district in which the examinations are administered.

84-33  The Department shall monitor the compliance of school districts and

84-34  individual schools with:

84-35         (1) The plan adopted by the Department; and

84-36         (2) The plan adopted by the board of trustees of the

84-37  applicable school district, to the extent that the plan adopted by the

84-38  board of trustees of the school district is consistent with the plan

84-39  adopted by the Department.

84-40     [(e) Scored by the Department or a single private entity that has

84-41  contracted with the State Board to score the examinations. If a

84-42  private entity scores the examinations, it shall report the results of

84-43  the examinations in the form and by the date required by the

84-44  Department.]


85-1      3.  Not more than 14 working days after the results of the

85-2  examinations are reported to the Department by a [private entity]

85-3  nationally recognized testing company that scored the examinations

85-4  or , for the writing portion of an examination, the Department

85-5  completes the scoring of the examinations, the Superintendent of

85-6  Public Instruction shall certify that the results of the examinations

85-7  have been transmitted to each school district and each charter

85-8  school. Not more than 10 working days after a school district

85-9  receives the results of the examinations, the superintendent of

85-10  schools of each school district shall certify that the results of the

85-11  examinations have been transmitted to each school within the school

85-12  district. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, not more

85-13  than 15 working days after each school receives the results of the

85-14  examinations, the principal of each school and the governing body

85-15  of each charter school shall certify that the results for each pupil

85-16  have been provided to the parent or legal guardian of the pupil:

85-17     (a) During a conference between the teacher of the pupil or

85-18  administrator of the school and the parent or legal guardian of the

85-19  pupil; or

85-20     (b) By mailing the results of the examinations to the last known

85-21  address of the parent or legal guardian of the pupil.

85-22  If a pupil fails the high school proficiency examination, the school

85-23  shall notify the pupil and the parents or legal guardian of the pupil

85-24  as soon as practicable but not later than 15 working days after the

85-25  school receives the results of the examination.

85-26     4.  If a pupil fails to demonstrate at least adequate achievement

85-27  on [the examination administered before the completion of grade 4,

85-28  7 or 10,] an examination administered pursuant to this section, he

85-29  may be promoted to the next higher grade, but the results of his

85-30  examination must be evaluated to determine what remedial study is

85-31  appropriate. If such a pupil is enrolled at a school that has been

85-32  designated as demonstrating need for improvement pursuant to

85-33  section 14 of this act ,the pupil must, in accordance with the

85-34  requirements set forth in this subsection, complete remedial study

85-35  that is determined to be appropriate for the pupil.

85-36     5.  If a pupil fails to pass the proficiency examination

85-37  administered before the completion of grade 11, he must not be

85-38  graduated until he is able, through remedial study, to pass the

85-39  proficiency examination, but he may be given a certificate of

85-40  attendance, in place of a diploma, if he has reached the age of 17

85-41  years.

85-42     6.  The State Board shall prescribe , in consultation with the

85-43  Council to Establish Academic Standards for Public Schools

85-44  created by NRS 389.510, standard examinations of achievement and

85-45  proficiency to be administered pursuant to subsection 1. [The]


86-1      7.  In addition to the examinations prescribed pursuant to

86-2  subsection 6, the State Board shall prescribe:

86-3      (a) The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test; or

86-4      (b) The Pre American College Testing Program

86-5  Assessment,

86-6  for administration to pupils enrolled in grade 10. The board of

86-7  trustees of each school district and the governing body of each

86-8  charter school shall administer the test or assessment prescribed

86-9  by the State Board to all pupils who are enrolled in grade 10 in the

86-10  school district or charter school.

86-11     8.  Except for the writing portion, the high school proficiency

86-12  examination must [be] :

86-13     (a) Measure the progress of pupils on the standards of content

86-14  and performance for reading and mathematics adopted by the

86-15  State Board pursuant to NRS 389.520; and

86-16     (b) Be developed, printed and scored by a nationally recognized

86-17  testing company in accordance with the process established by the

86-18  testing company. [The]

86-19     9.  Except for the writing portion, the examinations on reading,

86-20  mathematics and scienceprescribed for grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and [10

86-21  must be selected from examinations created by private entities and

86-22  administered to a national reference group, and must allow] 8 must:

86-23     (a) Be developed, printed and scored by a nationally

86-24  recognized testing company in accordance with the process

86-25  established by the testing company; and

86-26     (b) Consist of a single examination per grade level tested that

86-27  produces:

86-28         (1) A score that allows for a comparison of the achievement

86-29  and proficiency of pupils in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and [10] 8 in this

86-30  state to that of a national reference group of pupils in grades 3, 4, 5,

86-31  6, 7 and [10.] 8; and

86-32         (2) A score that measures the progress of pupils on the

86-33  standards of content and performance adopted by the State Board

86-34  pursuant to NRS 389.520 for:

86-35             (I) Reading;

86-36             (II) Mathematics; and

86-37             (III) If applicable to the grade level tested, science.

86-38     10.  The questions contained in the examinations and the

86-39  approved answers used for grading them are confidential, and

86-40  disclosure is unlawful except:

86-41     (a) To the extent necessary for administering and evaluating the

86-42  examinations.

86-43     (b) That a disclosure may be made to a:


87-1          (1) State officer who is a member of the executive or

87-2  legislative branch to the extent that it is necessary for the

87-3  performance of his duties;

87-4          (2) Superintendent of schools of a school district to the

87-5  extent that it is necessary for the performance of his duties;

87-6          (3) Director of curriculum of a school district to the extent

87-7  that it is necessary for the performance of his duties; and

87-8          (4) Director of testing of a school district to the extent that it

87-9  is necessary for the performance of his duties.

87-10     (c) That specific questions and answers may be disclosed if the

87-11  superintendent of public instruction determines that the content of

87-12  the questions and answers is not being used in a current examination

87-13  and making the content available to the public poses no threat to the

87-14  security of the current examination process.

87-15     Sec. 68.  NRS 389.015 is hereby amended to read as follows:

87-16     1.  The board of trustees of each school district shall administer

87-17  examinations in all public schools of the school district. The

87-18  governing body of a charter school shall administer the same

87-19  examinations in the charter school. The examinations administered

87-20  by the board of trustees and governing body must comply with 20

87-21  U.S.C. § 6311(b)(3) and must determine the achievement and

87-22  proficiency of pupils in:

87-23     (a) Reading;

87-24     (b) Writing;

87-25     (c) Mathematics; and

87-26     (d) Science.

87-27     2.  The examinations required by subsection 1 must be:

87-28     (a) For reading and mathematics, administered to each pupil in

87-29  grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, and at least one time before the

87-30  completion of grade 12.

87-31     (b) For writing, administered to each pupil in grades 4 and 7,

87-32  and at least one time before the completion of grade 12.

87-33     (c) For science, administered to each pupil in grades 5 and 8[.] ,

87-34  and at least one time before the completion of grade 12.

87-35     (d) Administered in each school district and each charter school

87-36  at the same time. The examinations must be administered during the

87-37  fall semester at a time prescribed by the State Board.

87-38     (e) Administered in each school in accordance with uniform

87-39  procedures adopted by the State Board. The Department shall

87-40  monitor the compliance of school districts and individual schools

87-41  with the uniform procedures.

87-42     (f) Administered in each school in accordance with the plan

87-43  adopted pursuant to NRS 389.616 by the Department and with the

87-44  plan adopted pursuant to NRS 389.620 by the board of trustees of

87-45  the school district in which the examinations are administered. The


88-1  Department shall monitor the compliance of school districts and

88-2  individual schools with:

88-3          (1) The plan adopted by the Department; and

88-4          (2) The plan adopted by the board of trustees of the

88-5  applicable school district, to the extent that the plan adopted by the

88-6  board of trustees of the school district is consistent with the plan

88-7  adopted by the Department.

88-8      3.  Not more than 14 working days after the results of the

88-9  examinations are reported to the Department by a nationally

88-10  recognized testing company that scored the examinations or, for the

88-11  writing portion of an examination, the Department completes the

88-12  scoring of the examinations, the Superintendent of Public

88-13  Instruction shall certify that the results of the examinations have

88-14  been transmitted to each school district and each charter school. Not

88-15  more than 10 working days after a school district receives the results

88-16  of the examinations, the superintendent of schools of each school

88-17  district shall certify that the results of the examinations have been

88-18  transmitted to each school within the school district. Except as

88-19  otherwise provided in this subsection, not more than 15 working

88-20  days after each school receives the results of the examinations, the

88-21  principal of each school and the governing body of each charter

88-22  school shall certify that the results for each pupil have been

88-23  provided to the parent or legal guardian of the pupil:

88-24     (a) During a conference between the teacher of the pupil or

88-25  administrator of the school and the parent or legal guardian of the

88-26  pupil; or

88-27     (b) By mailing the results of the examinations to the last known

88-28  address of the parent or legal guardian of the pupil.

88-29  If a pupil fails the high school proficiency examination, the school

88-30  shall notify the pupil and the parents or legal guardian of the pupil

88-31  as soon as practicable but not later than 15 working days after the

88-32  school receives the results of the examination.

88-33     4.  If a pupil fails to demonstrate at least adequate achievement

88-34  on an examination administered pursuant to this section, he may be

88-35  promoted to the next higher grade, but the results of his examination

88-36  must be evaluated to determine what remedial study is appropriate.

88-37  If such a pupil is enrolled at a school that has been designated as

88-38  demonstrating need for improvement pursuant to section 14 of this

88-39  act, the pupil must, in accordance with the requirements set forth in

88-40  this subsection, complete remedial study that is determined to be

88-41  appropriate for the pupil.

88-42     5.  If a pupil fails to pass the proficiency examination

88-43  administered before the completion of grade 11, he must not be

88-44  graduated until he is able, through remedial study, to pass the

88-45  proficiency examination, but he may be given a certificate of


89-1  attendance, in place of a diploma, if he has reached the age of 17

89-2  years.

89-3      6.  The State Board shall prescribe, in consultation with the

89-4  Council to Establish Academic Standards for Public Schools created

89-5  by NRS 389.510, standard examinations of achievement and

89-6  proficiency to be administered pursuant to subsection 1.

89-7      7.  In addition to the examinations prescribed pursuant to

89-8  subsection 6, the State Board shall prescribe:

89-9      (a) The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test; or

89-10     (b) The Pre American College Testing Program

89-11  Assessment,

89-12  for administration to pupils enrolled in grade 10. The board of

89-13  trustees of each school district and the governing body of each

89-14  charter school shall administer the test or assessment prescribed by

89-15  the State Board to all pupils who are enrolled in grade 10 in the

89-16  school district or charter school.

89-17     8.  Except for the writing portion, the high school proficiency

89-18  examination must:

89-19     (a) Measure the progress of pupils on the standards of content

89-20  and performance for reading , [and] mathematics and science

89-21  adopted by the State Board pursuant to NRS 389.520; and

89-22     (b) Be developed, printed and scored by a nationally recognized

89-23  testing company in accordance with the process established by the

89-24  testing company.

89-25     9.  Except for the writing portion, the examinations prescribed

89-26  for grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 must:

89-27     (a) Be developed, printed and scored by a nationally recognized

89-28  testing company in accordance with the process established by the

89-29  testing company; and

89-30     (b) Consist of a single examination per grade level tested that

89-31  produces:

89-32         (1) A score that allows for a comparison of the achievement

89-33  and proficiency of pupils in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 in this state to

89-34  that of a national reference group of pupils in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and

89-35  8; and

89-36         (2) A score that measures the progress of pupils on the

89-37  standards of content and performance adopted by the State Board

89-38  pursuant to NRS 389.520 for:

89-39             (I) Reading;

89-40             (II) Mathematics; and

89-41             (III) If applicable to the grade level tested, science.

89-42     10.  The questions contained in the examinations and the

89-43  approved answers used for grading them are confidential, and

89-44  disclosure is unlawful except:


90-1      (a) To the extent necessary for administering and evaluating the

90-2  examinations.

90-3      (b) That a disclosure may be made to a:

90-4          (1) State officer who is a member of the executive or

90-5  legislative branch to the extent that it is necessary for the

90-6  performance of his duties;

90-7          (2) Superintendent of schools of a school district to the

90-8  extent that it is necessary for the performance of his duties;

90-9          (3) Director of curriculum of a school district to the extent

90-10  that it is necessary for the performance of his duties; and

90-11         (4) Director of testing of a school district to the extent that it

90-12  is necessary for the performance of his duties.

90-13     (c) That specific questions and answers may be disclosed if the

90-14  superintendent of public instruction determines that the content of

90-15  the questions and answers is not being used in a current examination

90-16  and making the content available to the public poses no threat to the

90-17  security of the current examination process.

90-18     Sec. 69.  NRS 389.017 is hereby amended to read as follows:

90-19     389.017  1.  The State Board shall adopt regulations requiring

90-20  that each board of trustees of a school district and each governing

90-21  body of a charter school submit to the Superintendent of Public

90-22  Instruction and the Department, in the form and manner prescribed

90-23  by the Superintendent, the results of achievement and proficiency

90-24  examinations [given in the 4th, 8th, 10th and 11th grades]

90-25  administered pursuant to NRS 389.015 to public school pupils of

90-26  the district and charter schools. The State Board shall not include in

90-27  the regulations any provision which would violate the

90-28  confidentiality of the test scores of any individual pupil.

90-29     2.  The results of examinations must be reported for each

90-30  school, including, without limitation, each charter school, school

90-31  district and this state, as follows:

90-32     (a) The average score, as defined by the Department, of pupils

90-33  who took the examinations under regular testing conditions; and

90-34     (b) The average score, as defined by the Department, of pupils

90-35  who took the examinations with modifications or accommodations ,

90-36  [approved by the private entity that created the examination or, if

90-37  the Department created the examination, the Department,] if such

90-38  reporting does not violate the confidentiality of the test scores of any

90-39  individual pupil.

90-40     3.  [The Department shall adopt regulations prescribing the

90-41  requirements for reporting the scores of pupils who:

90-42     (a) Took the examinations under conditions that were not

90-43  approved by the private entity that created the examination or, if the

90-44  Department created the examination, by the Department;

90-45     (b) Are enrolled in special schools for children with disabilities;


91-1      (c) Are enrolled in an alternative program for the education of

91-2  pupils at risk of dropping out of high school, including, without

91-3  limitation, a program of distance education that is provided to pupils

91-4  who are at risk of dropping out of high school pursuant to NRS

91-5  388.820 to 388.874, inclusive; or

91-6      (d) Are detained in a:

91-7          (1) Youth training center;

91-8          (2) Youth center;

91-9          (3) Juvenile forestry camp;

91-10         (4) Detention home;

91-11         (5) Youth camp;

91-12         (6) Juvenile correctional institution; or

91-13         (7) Correctional institution.

91-14  The scores reported pursuant to this subsection must not be included

91-15  in the average scores reported pursuant to subsection 2.

91-16     4.]  Not later than 10 days after the Department receives the

91-17  results of the achievement and proficiency examinations, the

91-18  Department shall transmit a copy of the results of the examinations

91-19  administered pursuant to NRS 389.015 to the Legislative Bureau of

91-20  Educational Accountability and Program Evaluation in a manner

91-21  that does not violate the confidentiality of the test scores of any

91-22  individual pupil.

91-23     [5.] 4.  On or before November 15 of each year, each school

91-24  district and each charter school shall report to the Department the

91-25  following information for each examination administered in the

91-26  public schools in the school district or charter school:

91-27     (a) The examination administered;

91-28     (b) The grade level or levels of pupils to whom the examination

91-29  was administered;

91-30     (c) The costs incurred by the school district or charter school in

91-31  administering each examination; and

91-32     (d) The purpose, if any, for which the results of the examination

91-33  are used by the school district or charter school.

91-34  On or before December 15 of each year, the Department shall

91-35  transmit to the Budget Division of the Department of

91-36  Administration and the Fiscal Analysis Division of the Legislative

91-37  Counsel Bureau the information submitted to the Department

91-38  pursuant to this subsection.

91-39     [6.] 5.  The superintendent of schools of each school district

91-40  and the governing body of each charter school shall certify that the

91-41  number of pupils who took the examinations required pursuant to

91-42  NRS 389.015 is equal to the number of pupils who are enrolled in

91-43  each school in the school district or in the charter school who are

91-44  required to take the examinations . [except for those pupils who are


92-1  exempt from taking the examinations. A pupil may be exempt from

92-2  taking the examinations if:

92-3      (a) His primary language is not English and his proficiency in

92-4  the English language is below the level that the State Board

92-5  determines is proficient, as measured by an assessment of

92-6  proficiency in the English language prescribed by the State Board

92-7  pursuant to subsection 8; or

92-8      (b) He is enrolled in a program of special education pursuant to

92-9  NRS 388.440 to 388.520, inclusive, and his program of special

92-10  education specifies that he is exempt from taking the examinations.

92-11     7.] 6.  In addition to the information required by subsection [5,]

92-12  4, the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall:

92-13     (a) Report the number of pupils who were [not exempt from

92-14  taking the examinations but were] absent from school on the day

92-15  that the examinations were administered; and

92-16     (b) Reconcile the number of pupils who were required to take

92-17  the examinations with the number of pupils who were [exempt from

92-18  taking the examinations or] absent from school on the day that the

92-19  examinations were administered.

92-20     [8.  The State Board shall prescribe an assessment of

92-21  proficiency in the English language for pupils whose primary

92-22  language is not English to determine which pupils are exempt from

92-23  the examinations pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection 6.]

92-24     Sec. 70.  NRS 389.500 is hereby amended to read as follows:

92-25     389.500  As used in NRS 389.500 to [389.570,] 389.540,

92-26  inclusive, “Council” means the Council to Establish Academic

92-27  Standards for Public Schools.

92-28     Sec. 71.  NRS 389.520 is hereby amended to read as follows:

92-29     389.520  1.  The Council shall:

92-30     (a) Establish standards of content and performance, including,

92-31  without limitation, a prescription of the resulting level of

92-32  achievement, for the grade levels set forth in subsection 2, based

92-33  upon the content of each course, that is expected of pupils for the

92-34  following courses of study:

92-35         (1) English, including reading, composition and writing;

92-36         (2) Mathematics;

92-37         (3) Science;

92-38         (4) Social studies, which includes only the subjects of

92-39  history, geography, economics and government;

92-40         (5) The arts;

92-41         (6) Computer education and technology;

92-42         (7) Health; and

92-43         (8) Physical education.

92-44     (b) Establish a schedule for the periodic review and, if

92-45  necessary, revision of the standards of content and performance.


93-1  [The review must include, without limitation, the review required

93-2  pursuant to NRS 389.570 of the results of pupils on the

93-3  examinations administered pursuant to NRS 389.550.]

93-4      (c) Assign priorities to the standards of content and performance

93-5  relative to importance and degree of emphasis and revise the

93-6  standards, if necessary, based upon the priorities.

93-7      2.  The Council shall establish standards of content and

93-8  performance for each grade level in kindergarten and grades 1 to 8,

93-9  inclusive, for English and mathematics. The Council shall establish

93-10  standards of content and performance for the grade levels selected

93-11  by the Council for the other courses of study prescribed in

93-12  subsection 1.

93-13     3.  The State Board shall adopt the standards of content and

93-14  performance established by the Council.

93-15     [4.  The Council shall work in cooperation with the State Board

93-16  to prescribe the examinations required by NRS 389.550.]

93-17     Sec. 72.  NRS 389.560 is hereby amended to read as follows:

93-18     389.560  1.  The State Board shall adopt regulations that

93-19  require the board of trustees of each school district and the

93-20  governing body of each charter school to submit to

93-21  the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Department and the

93-22  Council, in the form and manner prescribed by the Superintendent,

93-23  the results of the examinations administered pursuant to NRS

93-24  389.550. The State Board shall not include in the regulations any

93-25  provision that would violate the confidentiality of the test scores of

93-26  an individual pupil.

93-27     2.  The results of the examinations must be reported for each

93-28  school, including, without limitation, each charter school, school

93-29  district and this state, as follows:

93-30     (a) The percentage of pupils who have demonstrated

93-31  proficiency, as defined by the Department, and took the

93-32  examinations under regular testing conditions; and

93-33     (b) The percentage of pupils who have demonstrated

93-34  proficiency, as defined by the Department, and took the

93-35  examinations with modifications or accommodations , [approved by

93-36  the private entity that created the examination or, if the Department

93-37  created the examination, the Department,] if such reporting does not

93-38  violate the confidentiality of the test scores of any individual pupil.

93-39     3.  [The Department shall adopt regulations prescribing the

93-40  requirements for reporting the results of pupils who:

93-41     (a) Took the examinations under conditions that were not

93-42  approved by the private entity that created the examination or, if the

93-43  Department created the examination, by the Department;

93-44     (b) Are enrolled in special schools for children with disabilities;


94-1      (c) Are enrolled in an alternative program for the education of

94-2  pupils at risk of dropping out of high school, including, without

94-3  limitation, a program of distance education that is provided to pupils

94-4  who are at risk of dropping out of high school pursuant to NRS

94-5  388.820 to 388.874, inclusive; or

94-6      (d) Are detained in a:

94-7          (1) Youth training center;

94-8          (2) Youth center;

94-9          (3) Juvenile forestry camp;

94-10         (4) Detention home;

94-11         (5) Youth camp;

94-12         (6) Juvenile correctional institution; or

94-13         (7) Correctional institution.

94-14  The results reported pursuant to this subsection must not be included

94-15  in the percentage of pupils reported pursuant to subsection 2.

94-16     4.]  Not later than 10 days after the Department receives the

94-17  results of the examinations, the Department shall transmit a copy of

94-18  the results to the Legislative Bureau of Educational Accountability

94-19  and Program Evaluation in a manner that does not violate the

94-20  confidentiality of the test scores of any individual pupil.

94-21     [5.] 4.  On or before November 15 of each year, each school

94-22  district and each charter school shall report to the Department the

94-23  following information for each examination administered in the

94-24  public schools in the school district or charter school:

94-25     (a) The examination administered;

94-26     (b) The grade level or levels of pupils to whom the examination

94-27  was administered;

94-28     (c) The costs incurred by the school district or charter school in

94-29  administering each examination; and

94-30     (d) The purpose, if any, for which the results of the examination

94-31  are used by the school district or charter school.

94-32  On or before December 15 of each year, the Department shall

94-33  transmit to the Budget Division of the Department of

94-34  Administration and the Fiscal Analysis Division of the Legislative

94-35  Counsel Bureau the information submitted to the Department

94-36  pursuant to this subsection.

94-37     [6.] 5.  The superintendent of schools of each school district

94-38  and the governing body of each charter school shall certify that the

94-39  number of pupils who took the examinations is equal to the number

94-40  of pupils who are enrolled in each school in the school district or in

94-41  the charter school who are required to take the examinations . [,

94-42  except for those pupils who are exempt from taking the

94-43  examinations. A pupil may be exempt from taking the examinations

94-44  if:


95-1      (a) His primary language is not English and his proficiency in

95-2  the English language is below the level that the State Board

95-3  determines is proficient, as measured by an assessment of

95-4  proficiency in the English language prescribed by the State Board

95-5  pursuant to subsection 8; or

95-6      (b) He is enrolled in a program of special education pursuant to

95-7  NRS 388.440 to 388.520, inclusive, and his program of special

95-8  education specifies that he is exempt from taking the examinations.

95-9      7.] 6.  In addition to the information required by subsection [5,]

95-10  4, the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall:

95-11     (a) Report the number of pupils who were not exempt from

95-12  taking the examinations but were absent from school on the day that

95-13  the examinations were administered; and

95-14     (b) Reconcile the number of pupils who were required to take

95-15  the examinations with the number of pupils who were exempt from

95-16  taking the examinations or absent from school on the day that the

95-17  examinations were administered.

95-18     [8.  The State Board shall prescribe an assessment of

95-19  proficiency in the English language for pupils whose primary

95-20  language is not English to determine which pupils are exempt from

95-21  the examinations pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection 6.]

95-22     Sec. 73.  NRS 389.604 is hereby amended to read as follows:

95-23     389.604  “Irregularity in testing administration” means the

95-24  failure to administer an examination to pupils pursuant to NRS

95-25  389.015 [or 389.550] in the manner intended by the person or entity

95-26  that created the examination.

95-27     Sec. 74.  NRS 389.608 is hereby amended to read as follows:

95-28     389.608  “Irregularity in testing security” means an act or

95-29  omission that tends to corrupt or impair the security of an

95-30  examination administered to pupils pursuant to NRS 389.015 , [or

95-31  389.550,] including, without limitation:

95-32     1.  The failure to comply with security procedures adopted

95-33  pursuant to NRS 389.616 or 389.620;

95-34     2.  The disclosure of questions or answers to questions on an

95-35  examination in a manner not otherwise approved by law; and

95-36     3.  Other breaches in the security or confidentiality of the

95-37  questions or answers to questions on an examination.

95-38     Sec. 75.  NRS 389.616 is hereby amended to read as follows:

95-39     389.616  1.  The Department shall, by regulation or otherwise,

95-40  adopt and enforce a plan setting forth procedures to ensure the

95-41  security of examinations that are administered to pupils pursuant to

95-42  NRS 389.015 . [and 389.550.]

95-43     2.  A plan adopted pursuant to subsection 1 must include,

95-44  without limitation:


96-1      (a) Procedures pursuant to which pupils, school officials and

96-2  other persons may, and are encouraged to, report irregularities in

96-3  testing administration and testing security.

96-4      (b) Procedures necessary to ensure the security of test materials

96-5  and the consistency of testing administration.

96-6      (c) Procedures that specifically set forth the action that must be

96-7  taken in response to a report of an irregularity in testing

96-8  administration or testing security and the actions that must be taken

96-9  during an investigation of such an irregularity. For each action that

96-10  is required, the procedures must identify:

96-11         (1) By category, the employees of the school district, charter

96-12  school or Department, or any combination thereof, who are

96-13  responsible for taking the action; and

96-14         (2) Whether the school district, charter school or

96-15  Department, or any combination thereof, is responsible for ensuring

96-16  that the action is carried out successfully.

96-17     (d) Objective criteria that set forth the conditions under which a

96-18  school, including, without limitation, a charter school or a school

96-19  district, or both, is required to file a plan for corrective action in

96-20  response to an irregularity in testing administration or testing

96-21  security for the purposes of NRS 389.636.

96-22     3.  A copy of the plan adopted pursuant to this section and the

96-23  procedures set forth therein must be submitted on or before

96-24  September 1 of each year to:

96-25     (a) The State Board; and

96-26     (b) The Legislative Committee on Education, created pursuant

96-27  to NRS 218.5352.

96-28     Sec. 76.  NRS 389.620 is hereby amended to read as follows:

96-29     389.620  1.  The board of trustees of each school district shall,

96-30  for each public school in the district, including, without limitation,

96-31  charter schools, adopt and enforce a plan setting forth procedures to

96-32  ensure the security of examinations.

96-33     2.  A plan adopted pursuant to subsection 1 must include,

96-34  without limitation:

96-35     (a) Procedures pursuant to which pupils, school officials and

96-36  other persons may, and are encouraged to, report irregularities in

96-37  testing administration and testing security.

96-38     (b) Procedures necessary to ensure the security of test materials

96-39  and the consistency of testing administration.

96-40     (c) With respect to secondary schools, procedures pursuant to

96-41  which the school district or charter school, as appropriate, will

96-42  verify the identity of pupils taking an examination.

96-43     (d) Procedures that specifically set forth the action that must be

96-44  taken in response to a report of an irregularity in testing

96-45  administration or testing security and the action that must be taken


97-1  during an investigation of such an irregularity. For each action that

97-2  is required, the procedures must identify, by category, the

97-3  employees of the school district or charter school who are

97-4  responsible for taking the action and for ensuring that the action is

97-5  carried out successfully.

97-6  The procedures adopted pursuant to this subsection must be

97-7  consistent, to the extent applicable, with the procedures adopted by

97-8  the Department pursuant to NRS 389.616.

97-9      3.  A copy of each plan adopted pursuant to this section and the

97-10  procedures set forth therein must be submitted on or before

97-11  September 1 of each year to:

97-12     (a) The State Board; and

97-13     (b) The Legislative Committee on Education, created pursuant

97-14  to NRS 218.5352.

97-15     4.  On or before September 30 of each school year, the board of

97-16  trustees of each school district and the governing body of each

97-17  charter school shall provide a written notice regarding the

97-18  examinations to all teachers and educational personnel employed by

97-19  the school district or governing body, all personnel employed by the

97-20  school district or governing body who are involved in the

97-21  administration of the examinations, all pupils who are required to

97-22  take the examinations and all parents and legal guardians of such

97-23  pupils. The written notice must be prepared in a format that is easily

97-24  understood and must include, without limitation, a description of

97-25  the:

97-26     (a) Plan adopted pursuant to this section; and

97-27     (b) Action that may be taken against personnel and pupils for

97-28  violations of the plan or for other irregularities in testing

97-29  administration or testing security.

97-30     5.  As used in this section:

97-31     (a) “Examination” means:

97-32         (1) Achievement and proficiency examinations that are

97-33  administered to pupils pursuant to NRS 389.015 ; [or 389.550;] and

97-34         (2) Any other examinations which measure the achievement

97-35  and proficiency of pupils and which are administered to pupils on a

97-36  district-wide basis.

97-37     (b) “Irregularity in testing administration” means the failure to

97-38  administer an examination in the manner intended by the person or

97-39  entity that created the examination.

97-40     (c) “Irregularity in testing security” means an act or omission

97-41  that tends to corrupt or impair the security of an examination,

97-42  including, without limitation:

97-43         (1) The failure to comply with security procedures adopted

97-44  pursuant to this section or NRS 389.616;


98-1          (2) The disclosure of questions or answers to questions on an

98-2  examination in a manner not otherwise approved by law; and

98-3          (3) Other breaches in the security or confidentiality of the

98-4  questions or answers to questions on an examination.

98-5      Sec. 77.  NRS 389.624 is hereby amended to read as follows:

98-6      389.624  1.  If the Department:

98-7      (a) Has reason to believe that a violation of the plan adopted

98-8  pursuant to NRS 389.616 may have occurred;

98-9      (b) Has reason to believe that a violation of the plan adopted

98-10  pursuant to NRS 389.620 may have occurred with respect to an

98-11  examination that is administered pursuant to NRS 389.015 ; or

98-12  [389.550; or]

98-13     (c) Receives a request pursuant to subparagraph (2) of paragraph

98-14  (b) of subsection 1 NRS 389.628 to investigate a potential violation

98-15  of the plan adopted pursuant to NRS 389.620 with respect to an

98-16  examination that is administered pursuant to NRS 389.015 , [or

98-17  389.550,]

98-18  the Department shall investigate the matter as it deems appropriate.

98-19     2.  If the Department investigates a matter pursuant to

98-20  subsection 1, the Department may issue a subpoena to compel the

98-21  attendance or testimony of a witness or the production of any

98-22  relevant materials, including, without limitation, books, papers,

98-23  documents, records, photographs, recordings, reports and tangible

98-24  objects.

98-25     3.  If a witness refuses to attend, testify or produce materials as

98-26  required by the subpoena, the Department may report to the district

98-27  court by petition, setting forth that:

98-28     (a) Due notice has been given of the time and place of

98-29  attendance or testimony of the witness or the production of

98-30  materials;

98-31     (b) The witness has been subpoenaed by the Department

98-32  pursuant to this section; and

98-33     (c) The witness has failed or refused to attend, testify or produce

98-34  materials before the Department as required by the subpoena, or has

98-35  refused to answer questions propounded to him,

98-36  and asking for an order of the court compelling the witness to

98-37  attend, testify or produce materials before the Department.

98-38     4.  Upon receipt of such a petition, the court shall enter an order

98-39  directing the witness to appear before the court at a time and place

98-40  to be fixed by the court in its order, the time to be not more than 10

98-41  days after the date of the order, and then and there show cause why

98-42  he has not attended, testified or produced materials before the

98-43  Department. A certified copy of the order must be served upon the

98-44  witness.


99-1      5.  If it appears to the court that the subpoena was regularly

99-2  issued by the Department, the court shall enter an order that the

99-3  witness appear before the Department at a time and place fixed in

99-4  the order and testify or produce materials, and that upon failure to

99-5  obey the order the witness must be dealt with as for contempt of

99-6  court.

99-7      Sec. 78.  NRS 389.628 is hereby amended to read as follows:

99-8      389.628  1.  If a school official has reason to believe that a

99-9  violation of the plan adopted pursuant to NRS 389.620 may have

99-10  occurred, the school official shall immediately report the incident to

99-11  the board of trustees of the school district. If the board of trustees of

99-12  a school district has reason to believe that a violation of the plan

99-13  adopted pursuant to NRS 389.620 may have occurred, the board of

99-14  trustees shall:

99-15     (a) If the violation is with respect to an examination

99-16  administered pursuant to NRS 389.015 , [or 389.550,] immediately

99-17  report the incident to the Department orally or in writing , followed

99-18  by a comprehensive written report within 14 school days after the

99-19  incident occurred; and

99-20     (b) Cause to be commenced an investigation of the incident. The

99-21  board of trustees may carry out the requirements of this paragraph

99-22  by:

99-23         (1) Investigating the incident as it deems appropriate,

99-24  including, without limitation, using the powers of subpoena set forth

99-25  in this section.

99-26         (2) With respect to an examination that is administered

99-27  pursuant to NRS 389.015 , [or 389.550,] requesting that the

99-28  Department investigate the incident pursuant to

99-29  NRS 389.624.

99-30  The fact that a board of trustees elects initially to carry out its own

99-31  investigation pursuant to subparagraph (1) of paragraph (b) does not

99-32  affect the ability of the board of trustees to request, at any time, that

99-33  the Department investigate the incident as authorized pursuant to

99-34  subparagraph (2) of paragraph (b).

99-35     2.  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, if the board

99-36  of trustees of a school district proceeds in accordance with

99-37  subparagraph (1) of paragraph (b) of subsection 1, the board of

99-38  trustees may issue a subpoena to compel the attendance or testimony

99-39  of a witness or the production of any relevant materials, including,

99-40  without limitation, books, papers, documents, records, photographs,

99-41  recordings, reports and tangible objects. A board of trustees shall

99-42  not issue a subpoena to compel the attendance or testimony of a

99-43  witness or the production of materials unless the attendance,

99-44  testimony or production sought to be compelled is related directly to


100-1  a violation or an alleged violation of the plan adopted pursuant to

100-2  NRS 389.620.

100-3     3.  If a witness refuses to attend, testify or produce materials as

100-4  required by the subpoena, the board of trustees may report to the

100-5  district court by petition, setting forth that:

100-6     (a) Due notice has been given of the time and place of

100-7  attendance or testimony of the witness or the production of

100-8  materials;

100-9     (b) The witness has been subpoenaed by the board of trustees

100-10  pursuant to this section; and

100-11    (c) The witness has failed or refused to attend, testify or produce

100-12  materials before the board of trustees as required by the subpoena,

100-13  or has refused to answer questions propounded to him,

100-14  and asking for an order of the court compelling the witness to

100-15  attend, testify or produce materials before the board of trustees.

100-16    4.  Upon receipt of such a petition, the court shall enter an order

100-17  directing the witness to appear before the court at a time and place

100-18  to be fixed by the court in its order, the time to be not more than 10

100-19  days after the date of the order, and then and there show cause why

100-20  he has not attended, testified or produced materials before the board

100-21  of trustees. A certified copy of the order must be served upon the

100-22  witness.

100-23    5.  If it appears to the court that the subpoena was regularly

100-24  issued by the board of trustees, the court shall enter an order that the

100-25  witness appear before the board of trustees at a time and place fixed

100-26  in the order and testify or produce materials, and that upon failure to

100-27  obey the order the witness must be dealt with as for contempt of

100-28  court.

100-29    Sec. 79.  NRS 389.632 is hereby amended to read as follows:

100-30    389.632  1.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection [8,] 5,

100-31  if the Department determines:

100-32    (a) That at least one irregularity in testing administration

100-33  occurred at a school, including, without limitation, a charter school,

100-34  during 1 school year on the examinations administered pursuant to

100-35  NRS 389.015, excluding the high school proficiency examination;

100-36    (b) That in the immediately succeeding school year, at least one

100-37  additional irregularity in testing administration occurred at that

100-38  school on the examinations administered pursuant to NRS 389.015,

100-39  excluding the high school proficiency examination; and

100-40    (c) Based upon the criteria set forth in subsection [5,] 2, that the

100-41  irregularities described in paragraphs (a) and (b) warrant an

100-42  additional administration of the examinations,

100-43  the Department shall notify the school and the school district in

100-44  which the school is located that the school is required to provide for

100-45  an additional administration of the examinations to pupils who are


101-1  enrolled in a grade that is required to take the examinations pursuant

101-2  to NRS 389.015, excluding the high school proficiency

101-3  examination, or to the pupils the Department determines must take

101-4  the additional administration pursuant to subsection [6.] 3. The

101-5  additional administration must occur in the same school year in

101-6  which the irregularity described in paragraph (b) occurred. [The]

101-7  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the school district

101-8  shall pay for all costs related to the administration of examinations

101-9  pursuant to this subsection. If a charter school is required to

101-10  administer examinations pursuant to this subsection, the charter

101-11  school shall pay for all costs related to the administration of the

101-12  examinations to pupils enrolled in the charter school.

101-13    2.  [If the Department determines that:

101-14    (a) At least one irregularity in testing administration occurred at

101-15  a school, including, without limitation, a charter school, during 1

101-16  school year on the examinations administered pursuant to

101-17  NRS 389.550;

101-18    (b) In the immediately succeeding school year, at least one

101-19  additional irregularity in testing administration occurred at that

101-20  school on the examinations administered pursuant to NRS 389.550;

101-21  and

101-22    (c) Based upon the criteria set forth in subsection 5, that the

101-23  irregularities described in paragraphs (a) and (b) warrant an

101-24  additional administration of the examinations,

101-25  the Department shall notify the school and the school district in

101-26  which the school is located that the school is required to provide for

101-27  an additional administration of the examinations to pupils who are

101-28  enrolled in a grade that is required to take the examinations pursuant

101-29  to NRS 389.550 or to the pupils the Department determines must

101-30  take the additional administration pursuant to subsection 6. The

101-31  additional administration must occur in the same school year in

101-32  which the irregularity described in paragraph (b) occurred. The

101-33  school district shall pay for all costs related to the administration of

101-34  examinations pursuant to this subsection.

101-35    3.  If the Department determines that:

101-36    (a) At least one irregularity in testing administration occurred at

101-37  a school, including, without limitation, a charter school, during 1

101-38  school year on the examinations administered pursuant to NRS

101-39  389.015, excluding the high school proficiency examination;

101-40    (b) In the immediately succeeding school year, at least one

101-41  additional irregularity in testing administration occurred at that

101-42  school on the examinations administered pursuant to NRS 389.550;

101-43  and


102-1     (c) Based upon the criteria set forth in subsection 5, that the

102-2  irregularities described in paragraphs (a) and (b) warrant an

102-3  additional administration of the examinations,

102-4  the Department shall notify the school and the school district in

102-5  which the school is located that the school is required to provide for

102-6  an additional administration of the examinations to pupils who are

102-7  enrolled in a grade that is required to take the examinations pursuant

102-8  to NRS 389.550 or to the pupils the Department determines must

102-9  take the additional administration pursuant to subsection 6. The

102-10  additional administration must occur in the same school year in

102-11  which the irregularity described in paragraph (b) occurred. The

102-12  school district shall pay for all costs related to the administration of

102-13  examinations pursuant to this subsection.

102-14    4.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 8, if the

102-15  Department determines that:

102-16    (a) At least one irregularity in testing administration occurred at

102-17  a school, including, without limitation, a charter school, during 1

102-18  school year on the examinations administered pursuant to

102-19  NRS 389.550;

102-20    (b) In the immediately succeeding school year, at least one

102-21  additional irregularity in testing administration occurred at that

102-22  school on the examinations administered pursuant to NRS 389.015,

102-23  excluding the high school proficiency examination; and

102-24    (c) Based upon the criteria set forth in subsection 5, that the

102-25  irregularities described in paragraphs (a) and (b) warrant an

102-26  additional administration of the examinations,

102-27  the Department shall notify the school and the school district in

102-28  which the school is located that the school is required to provide for

102-29  an additional administration of the examinations to pupils who are

102-30  enrolled in a grade that is required to take the examinations pursuant

102-31  to NRS 389.015, excluding the high school proficiency

102-32  examination, or to the pupils the Department determines must take

102-33  the additional administration pursuant to subsection 6. The

102-34  additional administration must occur in the same school year in

102-35  which the irregularity described in paragraph (b) occurred. The

102-36  school district shall pay for all costs related to the administration of

102-37  examinations pursuant to this subsection.

102-38    5.]  In determining whether to require a school to provide for an

102-39  additional administration of examinations pursuant to this section,

102-40  the Department shall consider:

102-41    (a) The effect of each irregularity in testing administration,

102-42  including, without limitation, whether the irregularity required the

102-43  scores of pupils to be invalidated; and

102-44    (b) Whether sufficient time remains in the school year to

102-45  provide for an additional administration of examinations.


103-1     [6.] 3.  If the Department determines pursuant to subsection [5]

103-2  2 that a school must provide for an additional administration of

103-3  examinations, the Department may consider whether the most recent

103-4  irregularity in testing administration affected the test scores of a

103-5  limited number of pupils and require the school to provide an

103-6  additional administration of examinations pursuant to this section

103-7  only to those pupils whose test scores were affected by the most

103-8  recent irregularity.

103-9     [7.] 4.  The Department shall provide as many notices pursuant

103-10  to this section during 1 school year as are applicable to the

103-11  irregularities occurring at a school. A school shall provide for

103-12  additional administrations of examinations pursuant to this section

103-13  within 1 school year as applicable to the irregularities occurring at

103-14  the school.

103-15    [8.] 5.  If a school is required to provide an additional

103-16  administration of examinations pursuant to [subsection 2 of NRS

103-17  385.368] section 11 of this act for a school year, the school is not

103-18  required to provide for an additional administration pursuant to

103-19  [subsection 1 or 4] this section in that school year. The Department

103-20  shall ensure that the information required pursuant to paragraph (b)

103-21  of subsection 3 of NRS 389.648 is included in its report for the

103-22  additional administration provided by such a school pursuant to

103-23  [subsection 2 of NRS 385.368.] section 11 of this act.

103-24    Sec. 80.  NRS 389.644 is hereby amended to read as follows:

103-25    389.644  1.  The Department shall establish a program of

103-26  education and training regarding the administration and security of

103-27  the examinations administered pursuant to NRS 389.015 . [and

103-28  389.550.] Upon approval of the Department, the board of trustees of

103-29  a school district or the governing body of a charter school may

103-30  establish an expanded program of education and training that

103-31  includes additional education and training if the expanded program

103-32  complies with the program established by the Department.

103-33    2.  The board of trustees of each school district and the

103-34  governing body of each charter school shall ensure that:

103-35    (a) All the teachers and other educational personnel who provide

103-36  instruction to pupils enrolled in a grade level that is required to be

103-37  tested pursuant to NRS 389.015 , [or 389.550,] and all other

103-38  personnel who are involved with the administration of the

103-39  examinations that are administered pursuant to NRS 389.015 , [or

103-40  389.550,] receive, on an annual basis, the program of education and

103-41  training established by the Department or the expanded program, if

103-42  applicable; and

103-43    (b) The training and education is otherwise available for all

103-44  personnel who are not required to receive the training and education

103-45  pursuant to paragraph (a).


104-1     Sec. 81.  NRS 389.900 is hereby amended to read as follows:

104-2     389.900  If the Department enters into a contract with a person

104-3  or entity to score the results of an examination that is administered

104-4  to pupils pursuant to NRS 389.015 [or 389.550] and the contract

104-5  sets forth penalties or sanctions in the event that the person or entity

104-6  fails to deliver the scored results to a school district or charter

104-7  school on a timely basis, the Department shall ensure that any such

104-8  penalties or sanctions are fully enforced.

104-9     Sec. 82.  Chapter 391 of NRS is hereby amended by adding

104-10  thereto the provisions set forth as sections 83 to 92, inclusive, of this

104-11  act.

104-12    Sec. 83.  As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise

104-13  requires, the words and terms defined in NRS 391.005 and section

104-14  84 of this act have the meanings ascribed to them in those

104-15  sections.

104-16    Sec. 84.  1.  “Paraprofessional” means a person who is

104-17  assigned by a school district or charter school to:

104-18    (a) Provide one-on-one tutoring for a pupil;

104-19    (b) Assist with the management of a classroom, including,

104-20  without limitation, organizing instructional materials;

104-21    (c) Provide assistance in a computer laboratory;

104-22    (d) Conduct parental involvement activities in conjunction

104-23  with one or more duties set forth in this subsection;

104-24    (e) Provide support in a library or media center;

104-25    (f) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, provide

104-26  services as a translator; or

104-27    (g) Provide instructional services to pupils under the direct

104-28  supervision of a licensed teacher.

104-29    2.  The term “paraprofessional” does not include a person

104-30  who:

104-31    (a) Is proficient in the English language and a language other

104-32  than English and who provides services as a translator primarily

104-33  to enhance the participation of children in programs that are

104-34  financially supported pursuant to the No Child Left Behind Act of

104-35  2001, 20 U.S.C. §§ 6301 et seq.

104-36    (b) Solely conducts parental involvement activities.

104-37    Sec. 85.  1.  The board of trustees of each school district

104-38  shall ensure that the percentage of experienced teachers who

104-39  teach in schools in the school district that are designated as

104-40  demonstrating need for improvement is the same or higher as the

104-41  percentage of experienced teachers who teach in schools that are

104-42  not designated as demonstrating need for improvement.

104-43    2.  As used in this section, “experienced teacher” means a

104-44  teacher who has 5 or more years of experience teaching in the


105-1  classroom and possesses other qualifications prescribed by the

105-2  State Board.

105-3     Sec. 86.  1.  Upon the request of a parent or legal guardian

105-4  of a pupil who is enrolled in a public school, the board of trustees

105-5  of the school district in which the school is located or the

105-6  governing body of the charter school, as applicable, shall provide

105-7  to the parent or guardian information regarding the professional

105-8  qualifications of the pupil’s teachers. The State Board shall

105-9  prescribe the time by which such information must be provided

105-10  after receipt of the request by the school district or charter school.

105-11  The information provided must include, without limitation:

105-12    (a) For each teacher who provides instruction to the pupil:

105-13        (1) Whether the teacher holds a license for the grade level

105-14  and subject area in which the teacher provides instruction;

105-15        (2) Whether the teacher is:

105-16            (I) Providing instruction pursuant to NRS 391.125;

105-17            (II) Providing instruction pursuant to a waiver of the

105-18  requirements for licensure for the grade level or subject area in

105-19  which the teacher is employed; or

105-20            (III) Otherwise providing instruction without an

105-21  endorsement for the subject area in which the teacher is

105-22  employed; and

105-23        (3) The degree held by the teacher and any other graduate

105-24  certification or degree held by the teacher, including, without

105-25  limitation, the field in which each degree or certification was

105-26  obtained; and

105-27    (b) If a paraprofessional, as defined in section 84 of this act,

105-28  provides services to the pupil, the qualifications of the

105-29  paraprofessional.

105-30    2.  At the beginning of each school year, the board of trustees

105-31  of each school district and the governing body of each charter

105-32  school shall provide written notice to the parents and guardians of

105-33  each pupil enrolled in a school within the school district or

105-34  enrolled in the charter school, as applicable, that a parent or

105-35  guardian may request information pursuant to subsection 1. The

105-36  State Board shall prescribe the date by which the notice required

105-37  by this subsection must be provided.

105-38    3.  The information required pursuant to subsection 1 and the

105-39  notice required pursuant to subsection 2 must be provided in a

105-40  uniform and understandable format and, to the extent practicable,

105-41  in a language that parents and guardians can understand.

105-42    Sec. 87.  1.  If a pupil enrolled in a Title I school or a school

105-43  that is designated as needing improvement pursuant to section 14

105-44  of this act:


106-1     (a) Is assigned to a teacher, as his regular classroom teacher,

106-2  who is not highly qualified; or

106-3     (b) Has been taught for 4 consecutive weeks or more by a

106-4  teacher who is not the pupil’s regular classroom teacher and who

106-5  is not highly qualified,

106-6  the principal of the school or the administrative head of the

106-7  charter school, as applicable, shall provide notice of that fact to

106-8  the parent or legal guardian of the pupil.

106-9     2.  The State Board shall prescribe the date on which the

106-10  notice required by subsection 1 must be provided. The notice must

106-11  be provided in a uniform and understandable format and, to the

106-12  extent practicable, in a language that parents and guardians can

106-13  understand.

106-14    3.  As used in this section, “highly qualified” has the meaning

106-15  ascribed to it in 20 U.S.C. § 7801(23).

106-16    Sec. 88.  1.  The State Board shall adopt regulations

106-17  prescribing the qualifications for the certification of

106-18  paraprofessionals and the procedures for the issuance and

106-19  renewal of such certificates. The regulations must include the

106-20  causes for suspension and revocation of a certificate and the

106-21  procedures to be carried out if action is taken to suspend or revoke

106-22  a certificate. The State Board shall consider and may adopt

106-23  regulations that provide for the reciprocal certification of

106-24  paraprofessionals from other states.

106-25    2.  An applicant for a certificate as a paraprofessional must

106-26  submit to the State Board proof that he satisfies the requirements

106-27  of the State Board established by regulation pursuant to

106-28  subsection 1 and that he has:

106-29    (a) Completed at least 2 years of study at an institution of

106-30  higher education;

106-31    (b) Obtained an associate’s degree or a higher degree; or

106-32    (c) Passed an examination prescribed by the State Board

106-33  pursuant to this subsection.

106-34  The State Board shall prescribe at least one examination that is

106-35  required of an applicant for a certificate as a paraprofessional if

106-36  the applicant does not qualify for a certificate pursuant to

106-37  paragraph (a) or (b).

106-38    3.  An application for the issuance of a certificate must

106-39  include the social security number of the applicant.

106-40    4.  Every applicant for a certificate must submit with his

106-41  application a complete set of his fingerprints and written

106-42  permission authorizing the State Board to forward the fingerprints

106-43  to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and to the Central

106-44  Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History for their

106-45  reports on the criminal history of the applicant.


107-1     5.  A certificate must be issued to an applicant if:

107-2     (a) The State Board determines that the applicant satisfies the

107-3  requirements of this section and the requirements prescribed by

107-4  the State Board pursuant to subsection 1;

107-5     (b) The applicant submits:

107-6         (1) The fee prescribed by section 91 of this act; and

107-7         (2) The statement required by section 90 of this act; and

107-8     (c) The reports on the criminal history of the applicant from

107-9  the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Central Repository

107-10  for Nevada Records of Criminal History:

107-11        (1) Do not indicate that the applicant has been convicted of

107-12  a felony or any other offense involving moral turpitude; or

107-13        (2) Indicate that the applicant has been convicted of a

107-14  felony or an offense involving moral turpitude but the State Board

107-15  determines that the conviction is unrelated to the position within

107-16  the school district or charter school for which the applicant

107-17  applied.

107-18    6.  A person who holds a certificate issued pursuant to this

107-19  section must not be considered a licensed teacher or other licensed

107-20  employee of a school district or charter school unless he holds a

107-21  license to teach issued pursuant to NRS 391.031.

107-22    Sec. 89.  1.  An application to the State Board for a

107-23  certificate as a paraprofessional and all documents in the

107-24  Department’s file relating to the application, including:

107-25    (a) The applicant’s health records;

107-26    (b) The applicant’s fingerprints and any report from the

107-27  Federal Bureau of Investigation or the Central Repository for

107-28  Nevada Records of Criminal History;

107-29    (c) Transcripts of the applicant’s record at colleges or other

107-30  educational institutions;

107-31    (d) The applicant’s scores, if any, on the examinations

107-32  administered pursuant to the regulations adopted by the State

107-33  Board;

107-34    (e) Any correspondence concerning the application; and

107-35    (f) Any other personal information,

107-36  are confidential.

107-37    2.  It is unlawful to disclose or release the information in an

107-38  application or any related document except pursuant to paragraph

107-39  (d) of subsection 6 of NRS 179A.075 or the applicant’s written

107-40  authorization.

107-41    3.  The Department shall, upon request, make available the

107-42  applicant’s file for his inspection during regular business hours.

107-43    Sec. 90.  1.  An applicant for the issuance or renewal of a

107-44  certificate issued pursuant to section 88 of this act shall submit to

107-45  the State Board the statement prescribed by the Welfare Division


108-1  of the Department of Human Resources pursuant to NRS 425.520.

108-2  The statement must be completed and signed by the applicant.

108-3     2.  The State Board shall include the statement required

108-4  pursuant to subsection 1 in:

108-5     (a) The application or any other forms that must be submitted

108-6  for the issuance or renewal of the certificate; or

108-7     (b) A separate form prescribed by the State Board.

108-8     3.  A certificate may not be issued or renewed by the State

108-9  Board pursuant to this chapter if the applicant:

108-10    (a) Fails to submit the statement required pursuant to

108-11  subsection 1; or

108-12    (b) Indicates on the statement submitted pursuant to

108-13  subsection 1 that he is subject to a court order for the support of a

108-14  child and is not in compliance with the order or a plan approved

108-15  by the district attorney or other public agency enforcing the order

108-16  for the repayment of the amount owed pursuant to the order.

108-17    4.  If an applicant indicates on the statement submitted

108-18  pursuant to subsection 1 that he is subject to a court order for the

108-19  support of a child and is not in compliance with the order or a

108-20  plan approved by the district attorney or other public agency

108-21  enforcing the order for the repayment of the amount owed

108-22  pursuant to the order, the State Board shall advise the applicant to

108-23  contact the district attorney or other public agency enforcing the

108-24  order to determine the actions that the applicant may take to

108-25  satisfy the arrearage.

108-26    Sec. 91.  1.  The State Board shall prescribe fees of not more

108-27  $65 for the issuance and renewal of a certificate as a

108-28  paraprofessional. An additional fee may be prescribed in an

108-29  amount not to exceed the amount charged by the Federal Bureau

108-30  of Investigation for processing the fingerprints of the applicant.

108-31    2.  The portion of each fee which represents the amount

108-32  charged by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for processing the

108-33  fingerprints of the applicant must be deposited with the State

108-34  Treasurer for credit to the appropriate account of the Department

108-35  of Public Safety. The remaining portion of the money received

108-36  from the fees must be deposited with the State Treasurer for credit

108-37  to the appropriate account of the Department of Education.

108-38    Sec. 92.  1.  If the State Board receives a copy of a court

108-39  order issued pursuant to NRS 425.540 that provides for the

108-40  suspension of all professional, occupational and recreational

108-41  licenses, certificates and permits issued to a person who is the

108-42  holder of a certificate issued pursuant to section 88 of this act, the

108-43  State Board shall deem the certificate issued to that person to be

108-44  suspended at the end of the 30th day after the date on which the

108-45  court order was issued unless the State Board receives a letter


109-1  issued to the holder of the certificate by the district attorney or

109-2  other public agency pursuant to NRS 425.550 stating that the

109-3  holder of the certificate has complied with the subpoena or

109-4  warrant or has satisfied the arrearage pursuant to NRS 425.560.

109-5     2.  The State Board shall reinstate a certificate issued

109-6  pursuant to this chapter that has been suspended by a district

109-7  court pursuant to NRS 425.540 if the State Board receives a letter

109-8  issued by the district attorney or other public agency pursuant to

109-9  NRS 425.550 to the person whose certificate was suspended

109-10  stating that the person whose certificate was suspended has

109-11  complied with the subpoena or warrant or has satisfied the

109-12  arrearage pursuant to NRS 425.560.

109-13    Sec. 93.  NRS 391.005 is hereby amended to read as follows:

109-14    391.005  [As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise

109-15  requires,] “Commission” means the Commission on Professional

109-16  Standards in Education.

109-17    Sec. 94.  NRS 391.019 is hereby amended to read as follows:

109-18    391.019  1.  Except as otherwise provided in NRS 391.027,

109-19  the Commission:

109-20    (a) Shall adopt regulations:

109-21        (1) Prescribing the qualifications for licensing teachers and

109-22  other educational personnel , including, without limitation, the

109-23  qualifications for a license to teach middle school or junior high

109-24  school education, and the procedures for the issuance and renewal

109-25  of such licenses.

109-26        (2) Identifying fields of specialization in teaching which

109-27  require the specialized training of teachers.

109-28        (3) Except as otherwise provided in NRS 391.125, requiring

109-29  teachers to obtain from the Department an endorsement in a field of

109-30  specialization to be eligible to teach in that field of specialization.

109-31        (4) Setting forth the educational requirements a teacher must

109-32  satisfy to qualify for an endorsement in each field of specialization.

109-33        (5) Setting forth the qualifications and requirements for

109-34  obtaining a license or endorsement to teach American Sign

109-35  Language.

109-36    (b) May adopt such other regulations as it deems necessary for

109-37  its own government or to carry out its duties.

109-38    2.  Any regulation which increases the amount of education,

109-39  training or experience required for licensing:

109-40    (a) Must, in addition to the requirements for publication in

109-41  chapter 233B of NRS, be publicized before its adoption in a manner

109-42  reasonably calculated to inform those persons affected by the

109-43  change.

109-44    (b) Must not become effective until at least 1 year after the date

109-45  it is adopted by the Commission.


110-1     (c) Is not applicable to a license in effect on the date the

110-2  regulation becomes effective.

110-3     Sec. 95.  NRS 391.019 is hereby amended to read as follows:

110-4     391.019  1.  Except as otherwise provided in NRS 391.027,

110-5  the Commission:

110-6     (a) Shall adopt regulations:

110-7         (1) Prescribing the qualifications for licensing teachers and

110-8  other educational personnel , including, without limitation, the

110-9  qualifications for a license to teach middle school or junior high

110-10  school education, and the procedures for the issuance and renewal

110-11  of such licenses.

110-12        (2) Identifying fields of specialization in teaching which

110-13  require the specialized training of teachers.

110-14        (3) Except as otherwise provided in NRS 391.125, requiring

110-15  teachers to obtain from the Department an endorsement in a field of

110-16  specialization to be eligible to teach in that field of specialization.

110-17        (4) Setting forth the educational requirements a teacher must

110-18  satisfy to qualify for an endorsement in each field of specialization.

110-19        (5) Setting forth the qualifications and requirements for

110-20  obtaining a license or endorsement to teach American Sign

110-21  Language, including, without limitation, being qualified to engage

110-22  in the practice of interpreting pursuant to subsection 3 of

110-23  NRS 656A.100.

110-24        (6) Except as otherwise authorized by subsection 4 of NRS

110-25  656A.100, requiring teachers and other educational personnel to

110-26  satisfy the qualifications set forth in subsection 3 of NRS 656A.100

110-27  if they:

110-28            (I) Provide instruction or other educational services; and

110-29            (II) Concurrently engage in the practice of interpreting, as

110-30  defined in NRS [656A.040.] 656A.060.

110-31    (b) May adopt such other regulations as it deems necessary for

110-32  its own government or to carry out its duties.

110-33    2.  Any regulation which increases the amount of education,

110-34  training or experience required for licensing:

110-35    (a) Must, in addition to the requirements for publication in

110-36  chapter 233B of NRS, be publicized before its adoption in a manner

110-37  reasonably calculated to inform those persons affected by the

110-38  change.

110-39    (b) Must not become effective until at least 1 year after the date

110-40  it is adopted by the Commission.

110-41    (c) Is not applicable to a license in effect on the date the

110-42  regulation becomes effective.

110-43    Sec. 96.  NRS 391.031 is hereby amended to read as follows:

110-44    391.031  There are the following kinds of licenses for teachers

110-45  and other educational personnel in this state:


111-1     1.  A license to teach elementary education, which authorizes

111-2  the holder to teach in any elementary school in the state.

111-3     2.  A license to teach middle school or junior high school

111-4  education, which authorizes the holder to teach in his major or

111-5  minor field of preparation or in both fields in grades 7, 8 and 9 at

111-6  any middle school or junior high school. He may teach only in

111-7  these fields unless an exception is approved pursuant to

111-8  regulations adopted by the Commission.

111-9     3.  A license to teach secondary education, which authorizes the

111-10  holder to teach in his major or minor field of preparation or in both

111-11  fields in any secondary school. He may teach only in these fields

111-12  unless an exception is approved pursuant to regulations adopted by

111-13  the Commission.

111-14    [3.] 4.  A special license, which authorizes the holder to teach

111-15  or perform other educational functions in a school or program as

111-16  designated in the license.

111-17    Sec. 97.  NRS 391.100 is hereby amended to read as follows:

111-18    391.100  1.  The board of trustees of a school district may

111-19  employ a superintendent of schools, teachers and all other necessary

111-20  employees. A person who is initially hired on or after January 1,

111-21  2006, to provide instruction in:

111-22    (a) English, reading or language arts;

111-23    (b) Mathematics;

111-24    (c) Science;

111-25    (d) Foreign language;

111-26    (e) Civics or government;

111-27    (f) Economics;

111-28    (g) Geography;

111-29    (h) History; or

111-30    (i) The arts,

111-31  in grades 7, 8 or 9 at a middle school or junior high school must

111-32  hold a license to teach middle school or junior high school

111-33  education or a license to teach secondary education. For the

111-34  purposes of this subsection, a person is not “initially hired” if he

111-35  has been employed as a licensed teacher by another school district

111-36  or charter school in this state without an interruption in

111-37  employment before the date of hire by his current employer.

111-38    2.  The board of trustees of a school district:

111-39    (a) May employ teacher aides and other auxiliary,

111-40  nonprofessional personnel to assist licensed personnel in the

111-41  instruction or supervision of children, either in the classroom or at

111-42  any other place in the school or on the grounds thereof . [; and] A

111-43  person who is initially hired on or after July 1, 2004, to perform

111-44  a duty of a paraprofessional must hold a certificate as a

111-45  paraprofessional issued pursuant to section 88 of this act. For the


112-1  purposes of this paragraph, a person is not “initially hired” if he

112-2  has been employed as a paraprofessional by another school

112-3  district or charter school in this state without an interruption in

112-4  employment before the date of hire by his current employer.

112-5     (b) Shall establish policies governing the duties and

112-6  performance of teacher aides.

112-7     3.  [Each] Except as otherwise provided in this subsection,

112-8  each applicant for employment pursuant to this section[, except a

112-9  teacher or other person licensed by the Superintendent of Public

112-10  Instruction,] must, as a condition to employment, submit to the

112-11  school district a full set of his fingerprints and written permission

112-12  authorizing the school district to forward the fingerprints to the

112-13  Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Central Repository for

112-14  Nevada Records of Criminal History for their reports on the

112-15  criminal history of the applicant. The provisions of this section do

112-16  not apply to:

112-17    (a) A teacher or other person licensed by the Superintendent of

112-18  Public Instruction.

112-19    (b) A paraprofessional who has obtained a certificate pursuant

112-20  to section 88 of this act.

112-21    4.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 5, the board of

112-22  trustees of a school district shall not require a licensed teacher or

112-23  other person licensed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction

112-24  pursuant to NRS 391.033 who has taken a leave of absence from

112-25  employment authorized by the school district, including, without

112-26  limitation:

112-27    (a) Sick leave;

112-28    (b) Sabbatical leave;

112-29    (c) Personal leave;

112-30    (d) Leave for attendance at a regular or special session of the

112-31  Legislature of this state if the employee is a member thereof;

112-32    (e) Maternity leave; and

112-33    (f) Leave permitted by the Family and Medical Leave Act of

112-34  1993, 29 U.S.C. §§ 2601 et seq.,

112-35  to submit a set of his fingerprints as a condition of return to or

112-36  continued employment with the school district if the employee is in

112-37  good standing when the employee began the leave.

112-38    5.  A board of trustees of a school district may ask the

112-39  Superintendent of Public Instruction to require a person licensed by

112-40  the Superintendent of Public Instruction pursuant to NRS 391.033

112-41  who has taken a leave of absence from employment authorized by

112-42  the school district to submit a set of his fingerprints as a condition of

112-43  return to or continued employment with the school district if the

112-44  board of trustees has probable cause to believe that the person has


113-1  committed a felony or an offense involving moral turpitude during

113-2  the period of his leave of absence.

113-3     6.  The board of trustees of a school district may employ or

113-4  appoint persons to serve as school police officers. If the board of

113-5  trustees of a school district employs or appoints persons to serve as

113-6  school police officers, the board of trustees shall employ a law

113-7  enforcement officer to serve as the chief of school police who is

113-8  supervised by the superintendent of schools of the school district.

113-9  The chief of school police shall supervise each person appointed or

113-10  employed by the board of trustees as a school police officer. In

113-11  addition, persons who provide police services pursuant to subsection

113-12  7 or 8 shall be deemed school police officers.

113-13    7.  The board of trustees of a school district in a county that has

113-14  a metropolitan police department created pursuant to chapter 280 of

113-15  NRS[,] may contract with the metropolitan police department for

113-16  the provision and supervision of police services in the public

113-17  schools within the jurisdiction of the metropolitan police department

113-18  and on property therein that is owned by the school district. If a

113-19  contract is entered into pursuant to this subsection, the contract must

113-20  make provision for the transfer of each school police officer

113-21  employed by the board of trustees to the metropolitan police

113-22  department. If the board of trustees of a school district contracts

113-23  with a metropolitan police department pursuant to this subsection,

113-24  the board of trustees shall, if applicable, cooperate with appropriate

113-25  local law enforcement agencies within the school district for the

113-26  provision and supervision of police services in the public schools

113-27  within the school district and on property owned by the school

113-28  district, but outside the jurisdiction of the metropolitan police

113-29  department.

113-30    8.  The board of trustees of a school district in a county that

113-31  does not have a metropolitan police department created pursuant to

113-32  chapter 280 of NRS may contract with the sheriff of that county for

113-33  the provision of police services in the public schools within the

113-34  school district and on property therein that is owned by the school

113-35  district.

113-36    Sec. 98.  NRS 391.100 is hereby amended to read as follows:

113-37    391.100  1.  The board of trustees of a school district may

113-38  employ a superintendent of schools, teachers and all other necessary

113-39  employees. A person who is initially hired on or after January 1,

113-40  2006, to provide instruction in:

113-41    (a) English, reading or language arts;

113-42    (b) Mathematics;

113-43    (c) Science;

113-44    (d) Foreign language;

113-45    (e) Civics or government;


114-1     (f) Economics;

114-2     (g) Geography;

114-3     (h) History; or

114-4     (i) The arts,

114-5  in grades 7, 8 or 9 at a middle school or junior high school must

114-6  hold a license to teach middle school or junior high school education

114-7  or a license to teach secondary education. For the purposes of this

114-8  subsection, a person is not “initially hired” if he has been employed

114-9  as a licensed teacher by another school district or charter school in

114-10  this state without an interruption in employment before the date of

114-11  hire by his current employer.

114-12    2.  The board of trustees of a school district:

114-13    (a) May employ teacher aides and other auxiliary,

114-14  nonprofessional personnel to assist licensed personnel in the

114-15  instruction or supervision of children, either in the classroom or at

114-16  any other place in the school or on the grounds thereof. A person

114-17  who is [initially hired on or after July 1, 2004,]employed to perform

114-18  a duty of a paraprofessional must hold a certificate as a

114-19  paraprofessional issued pursuant to section 88 of this act. [For the

114-20  purposes of this paragraph, a person is not “initially hired” if he has

114-21  been employed as a paraprofessional by another school district or

114-22  charter school in this state without an interruption in employment

114-23  before the date of hire by his current employer.]

114-24    (b) Shall establish policies governing the duties and

114-25  performance of teacher aides.

114-26    3.  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, each

114-27  applicant for employment pursuant to this section must, as a

114-28  condition to employment, submit to the school district a full set of

114-29  his fingerprints and written permission authorizing the school

114-30  district to forward the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of

114-31  Investigation and the Central Repository for Nevada Records of

114-32  Criminal History for their reports on the criminal history of the

114-33  applicant. The provisions of this section do not apply to:

114-34    (a) A teacher or other person licensed by the Superintendent of

114-35  Public Instruction.

114-36    (b) A paraprofessional who has obtained a certificate pursuant to

114-37  section 88 of this act.

114-38    4.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 5, the board of

114-39  trustees of a school district shall not require a licensed teacher or

114-40  other person licensed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction

114-41  pursuant to NRS 391.033 who has taken a leave of absence from

114-42  employment authorized by the school district, including, without

114-43  limitation:

114-44    (a) Sick leave;

114-45    (b) Sabbatical leave;


115-1     (c) Personal leave;

115-2     (d) Leave for attendance at a regular or special session of the

115-3  Legislature of this state if the employee is a member thereof;

115-4     (e) Maternity leave; and

115-5     (f) Leave permitted by the Family and Medical Leave Act of

115-6  1993, 29 U.S.C. §§ 2601 et seq.,

115-7  to submit a set of his fingerprints as a condition of return to or

115-8  continued employment with the school district if the employee is in

115-9  good standing when the employee began the leave.

115-10    5.  A board of trustees of a school district may ask the

115-11  Superintendent of Public Instruction to require a person licensed by

115-12  the Superintendent of Public Instruction pursuant to NRS 391.033

115-13  who has taken a leave of absence from employment authorized by

115-14  the school district to submit a set of his fingerprints as a condition of

115-15  return to or continued employment with the school district if the

115-16  board of trustees has probable cause to believe that the person has

115-17  committed a felony or an offense involving moral turpitude during

115-18  the period of his leave of absence.

115-19    6.  The board of trustees of a school district may employ or

115-20  appoint persons to serve as school police officers. If the board of

115-21  trustees of a school district employs or appoints persons to serve as

115-22  school police officers, the board of trustees shall employ a law

115-23  enforcement officer to serve as the chief of school police who is

115-24  supervised by the superintendent of schools of the school district.

115-25  The chief of school police shall supervise each person appointed or

115-26  employed by the board of trustees as a school police officer. In

115-27  addition, persons who provide police services pursuant to subsection

115-28  7 or 8 shall be deemed school police officers.

115-29    7.  The board of trustees of a school district in a county that has

115-30  a metropolitan police department created pursuant to chapter 280 of

115-31  NRS may contract with the metropolitan police department for the

115-32  provision and supervision of police services in the public schools

115-33  within the jurisdiction of the metropolitan police department and on

115-34  property therein that is owned by the school district. If a contract is

115-35  entered into pursuant to this subsection, the contract must make

115-36  provision for the transfer of each school police officer employed by

115-37  the board of trustees to the metropolitan police department. If the

115-38  board of trustees of a school district contracts with a metropolitan

115-39  police department pursuant to this subsection, the board of trustees

115-40  shall, if applicable, cooperate with appropriate local law

115-41  enforcement agencies within the school district for the provision and

115-42  supervision of police services in the public schools within the school

115-43  district and on property owned by the school district, but outside the

115-44  jurisdiction of the metropolitan police department.


116-1     8.  The board of trustees of a school district in a county that

116-2  does not have a metropolitan police department created pursuant to

116-3  chapter 280 of NRS may contract with the sheriff of that county for

116-4  the provision of police services in the public schools within the

116-5  school district and on property therein that is owned by the school

116-6  district.

116-7     Sec. 99.  NRS 391.125 is hereby amended to read as follows:

116-8     391.125  1.  If the board of trustees of a school district

116-9  determines that a shortage of teachers exists within the school

116-10  district in a particular subject area, the board of trustees may submit

116-11  a written request to the Superintendent of Public Instruction to

116-12  employ persons who are licensed teachers but who do not hold an

116-13  endorsement to teach in the subject area for which there is a

116-14  shortage of teachers[.] at a public school within the school district

116-15  that is not designated as demonstrating need for improvement

116-16  pursuant to section 14 of this act. The Superintendent of Public

116-17  Instruction may grant such a request if the Superintendent

116-18  determines that a shortage of teachers exists in the subject area. If

116-19  the Superintendent of Public Instruction grants a request pursuant to

116-20  this subsection, a person who holds a license to teach but not an

116-21  endorsement in the subject area for which the request was granted

116-22  may be employed by the school district for not more than 2 school

116-23  years to teach in that subject area[.] at a public school within the

116-24  school district that is not designated as needing improvement

116-25  pursuant to section 14 of this act.

116-26    2.  If the Superintendent of Public Instruction grants a request

116-27  pursuant to subsection 1, the Superintendent shall submit a written

116-28  report to the Commission that includes the name of the school

116-29  district for which the request was granted and the subject area for

116-30  which the request was granted. Upon receipt of such a report,

116-31  the Commission shall consider whether to adopt revisions to the

116-32  requirements for an endorsement in that subject area to address the

116-33  shortage of teachers.

116-34    Sec. 100.  NRS 391.165 is hereby amended to read as follows:

116-35    391.165  1.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3 of

116-36  this section and except as otherwise required as a result of NRS

116-37  286.537, the board of trustees of a school district shall pay the cost

116-38  for a licensed teacher to purchase one-fifth of a year of service

116-39  pursuant to subsection 2 of NRS 286.300 if:

116-40    (a) The teacher is a member of the Public Employees’

116-41  Retirement System and has at least 5 years of service;

116-42    (b) The teacher has been employed as a licensed teacher in this

116-43  state for at least 5 consecutive school years, regardless of whether

116-44  the employment was with one or more school districts in this state;


117-1     (c) Each evaluation of the teacher conducted pursuant to NRS

117-2  391.3125 is at least satisfactory for the years of employment

117-3  required by paragraph (b); and

117-4     (d) In addition to the years of employment required by

117-5  paragraph (b), the teacher has been employed as a licensed teacher

117-6  for 1 school year at a school within the school district which, for

117-7  that school year, carries the designation of demonstrating need for

117-8  improvement pursuant to [NRS 385.367.] section 14 of this act.

117-9     2.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, the board of

117-10  trustees of a school district shall pay the cost for a licensed teacher

117-11  to purchase one-fifth of a year of service for each year that a teacher

117-12  is employed as a teacher at a school within the school district that is

117-13  described in paragraph (d) of subsection 1.

117-14    3.  In no event may the years of service purchased by a licensed

117-15  teacher as a result of subsection 2 of NRS 286.300 exceed 5 years.

117-16    4.  The board of trustees of a school district shall not:

117-17    (a) Assign or reassign a licensed teacher to circumvent the

117-18  requirements of this section.

117-19    (b) Include, as part of a teacher’s salary, the costs of paying the

117-20  teacher to purchase service pursuant to this section.

117-21    5.  As used in this section, “service” has the meaning ascribed

117-22  to it in NRS 286.078.

117-23    Sec. 101.  NRS 391.273 is hereby amended to read as follows:

117-24    391.273  1.  Except as otherwise provided in subsections 4 and

117-25  [9,] 10, the unlicensed personnel of a school district must be directly

117-26  supervised by licensed personnel in all duties which are instructional

117-27  in nature. To the extent practicable, the direct supervision must be

117-28  such that the unlicensed personnel are in the immediate location of

117-29  the licensed personnel and are readily available during such times

117-30  when supervision is required.

117-31    2.  Unlicensed personnel who are exempted pursuant to

117-32  subsection 4 must be under administrative supervision when

117-33  performing duties which are instructional in nature.

117-34    3.  Unlicensed personnel may temporarily perform duties under

117-35  administrative supervision which are not primarily instructional in

117-36  nature.

117-37    4.  [Upon] Except as otherwise provided in subsection 5, upon

117-38  application by a superintendent of schools, the Superintendent of

117-39  Public Instruction may grant an exemption from the provisions of

117-40  subsection 1. The Superintendent shall not grant an exemption

117-41  unless:

117-42    (a) The duties are within the employee’s special expertise or

117-43  training;

117-44    (b) The duties relate to the humanities or an elective course of

117-45  study, or are supplemental to the basic curriculum of a school;


118-1     (c) The performance of the duties does not result in the

118-2  replacement of a licensed employee or prevent the employment of a

118-3  licensed person willing to perform those duties;

118-4     (d) The secondary or combined school in which the duties will

118-5  be performed has less than 100 pupils enrolled and is at least 30

118-6  miles from a school in which the duties are performed by licensed

118-7  personnel; and

118-8     (e) The unlicensed employee submits his fingerprints for an

118-9  investigation pursuant to NRS 391.033.

118-10    5.  The exemption authorized by subsection 4 does not apply

118-11  to a paraprofessional if the provisions of 20 U.S.C. § 6319 and the

118-12  regulations adopted pursuant thereto require the paraprofessional

118-13  to be directly supervised by a licensed teacher.

118-14    6.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall file a record

118-15  of all exempt personnel with the clerk of the board of trustees of

118-16  each local school district, and advise the clerk of any changes

118-17  therein. The record must contain:

118-18    (a) The name of the exempt employee;

118-19    (b) The specific instructional duties he may perform;

118-20    (c) Any terms or conditions of the exemption deemed

118-21  appropriate by the Superintendent of Public Instruction; and

118-22    (d) The date the exemption expires or a statement that the

118-23  exemption is valid as long as the employee remains in the same

118-24  position at the same school.

118-25    [6.] 7.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction may adopt

118-26  regulations prescribing the procedure to apply for an exemption

118-27  pursuant to this section and the criteria for the granting of such

118-28  exemptions.

118-29    [7.] 8.  Except in an emergency, it is unlawful for the board of

118-30  trustees of a school district to allow a person employed as a

118-31  teacher’s aide to serve as a teacher unless the person is a legally

118-32  qualified teacher licensed by the Superintendent of Public

118-33  Instruction. As used in this subsection, “emergency” means an

118-34  unforeseen circumstance which requires immediate action and

118-35  includes the fact that a licensed teacher or substitute teacher is not

118-36  immediately available.

118-37    [8.] 9.  If the Superintendent of Public Instruction determines

118-38  that the board of trustees of a school district has violated the

118-39  provisions of subsection [7,] 8, he shall take such actions as are

118-40  necessary to reduce the amount of money received by the district

118-41  pursuant to NRS 387.124 by an amount equal to the product when

118-42  the following numbers are multiplied together:

118-43    (a) The number of days on which the violation occurred;

118-44    (b) The number of pupils in the classroom taught by the

118-45  teacher’s aide; and


119-1     (c) The number of dollars of basic support apportioned to the

119-2  district per pupil per day pursuant to NRS 387.1233.

119-3     [9.] 10.  The provisions of this section do not apply to

119-4  unlicensed personnel who are employed by the governing body of a

119-5  charter school[.] , unless a paraprofessional employed by the

119-6  governing body is required to be directly supervised by a licensed

119-7  teacher pursuant to the provisions of 20 U.S.C. § 6319 and the

119-8  regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

119-9     Sec. 102.  NRS 391.520 is hereby amended to read as follows:

119-10    391.520  1.  The Statewide Council shall meet not less than

119-11  four times per year.

119-12    2.  The Statewide Council shall:

119-13    (a) Adopt uniform standards for use by the governing body of

119-14  each regional training program in the review and approval by the

119-15  governing body of the training to be provided by the regional

119-16  training program pursuant to NRS 391.540 and 391.544. The

119-17  standards must ensure that the training provided by the regional

119-18  training programs includes activities set forth in 20 U.S.C. §

119-19  7801(34), as appropriate for the type of training offered, and is of

119-20  high quality and is effective in addressing the training programs

119-21  specified in subsection 1 of NRS 391.544.

119-22    (b) Coordinate the dissemination of information to school

119-23  districts, administrators and teachers concerning the training,

119-24  programs and services provided by the regional training programs.

119-25    (c) Disseminate information to the regional training programs

119-26  concerning innovative and effective methods to provide professional

119-27  development.

119-28    (d) Conduct long-range planning concerning the professional

119-29  development needs of teachers and administrators employed in this

119-30  state.

119-31    (e) Adopt uniform procedures for use by the governing body of

119-32  each regional training program to report the evaluation conducted

119-33  pursuant to NRS 391.552.

119-34    3.  The Statewide Council may:

119-35    (a) Accept gifts and grants from any source for use by the

119-36  Statewide Council in carrying out its duties pursuant to this

119-37  section and accept gifts and grants from any source on behalf of

119-38  one or more regional training programs to assist with the training

119-39  provided pursuant to NRS 391.544; and

119-40    (b) Comply with applicable federal laws and regulations

119-41  governing the provision of federal grants to assist the Statewide

119-42  Council in carrying out its duties pursuant to this section and

119-43  comply with applicable federal laws and regulations governing the

119-44  provision of federal grants to assist with the training provided

119-45  pursuant to NRS 391.544.


120-1     Sec. 103.  NRS 391.536 is hereby amended to read as follows:

120-2     391.536  1.  On an annual basis, the governing body of each

120-3  regional training program shall review the budget for the program

120-4  and submit a proposed budget to the Legislative Committee on

120-5  Education. The proposed budget must include, without limitation,

120-6  the amount of money requested by the governing body to pay for the

120-7  services of the coordinator of the program appointed pursuant to

120-8  NRS 391.532. In even-numbered years, the proposed budget must

120-9  be submitted to the Legislative Committee on Education at least 4

120-10  months before the commencement of the next regular session of the

120-11  Legislature.

120-12    2.  The governing body of a regional training program may:

120-13    (a) Accept gifts and grants from any source to assist the

120-14  governing body in providing the training required by

120-15  NRS 391.544.

120-16    (b) Comply with applicable federal laws and regulations

120-17  governing the provision of federal grants to assist with the training

120-18  provided pursuant to NRS 391.544.

120-19    Sec. 104.  NRS 391.540 is hereby amended to read as follows:

120-20    391.540  1.  The governing body of each regional training

120-21  program shall:

120-22    [1.] (a) Adopt a training model, taking into consideration other

120-23  model programs, including, without limitation, the program used by

120-24  the Geographic Alliance in Nevada.

120-25    [2.] (b) Assess the training needs of teachers and administrators

120-26  who are employed by the school districts within the primary

120-27  jurisdiction of the regional training program and adopt priorities of

120-28  training for the program based upon the assessment of needs. The

120-29  board of trustees of each such school district may submit

120-30  recommendations to the appropriate governing body for the types of

120-31  training that should be offered by the regional training program.

120-32    [3.] (c) Prepare a 5-year plan for the regional training program,

120-33  which includes, without limitation:

120-34    [(a)] (1) An assessment of the training needs of teachers and

120-35  administrators who are employed by the school districts within the

120-36  primary jurisdiction of the regional training program; and

120-37    [(b)] (2) Specific details of the training that will be offered by

120-38  the regional training program for the first 2 years covered by the

120-39  plan.

120-40    [4.] (d) Review the 5-year plan on an annual basis and make

120-41  revisions to the plan as are necessary to serve the training needs of

120-42  teachers and administrators employed by the school districts within

120-43  the primary jurisdiction of the regional training program.

120-44    2.  The Department, the University and Community College

120-45  System of Nevada and the board of trustees of a school district


121-1  may request the governing body of the regional training program

121-2  that serves the school district to provide training, participate in a

121-3  program or otherwise perform a service that is in addition to the

121-4  duties of the regional training program that are set forth in the

121-5  plan adopted pursuant to this section or otherwise required by

121-6  statute. An entity may not represent that a regional training

121-7  program will perform certain duties or otherwise obligate the

121-8  regional training program as part of an application by that entity

121-9  for a grant unless the entity has first obtained the written

121-10  confirmation of the governing body of the regional training

121-11  program to perform those duties or obligations. The governing

121-12  body of a regional training program may, but is not required to,

121-13  grant a request pursuant to this subsection.

121-14    Sec. 105.  NRS 391.544 is hereby amended to read as follows:

121-15    391.544  1.  Based upon the assessment of needs for training

121-16  within the region and priorities of training adopted by the governing

121-17  body pursuant to NRS 391.540, each regional training program must

121-18  provide:

121-19    (a) Training for teachers in the standards established by the

121-20  Council to Establish Academic Standards for Public Schools

121-21  pursuant to NRS 389.520; and

121-22    (b) At least one of the following types of training:

121-23        (1) Training for teachers and school administrators in the

121-24  assessment and measurement of pupil achievement and the effective

121-25  methods to analyze the test results and scores of pupils to improve

121-26  the achievement and proficiency of pupils.

121-27        (2) Training for teachers in specific content areas to enable

121-28  the teachers to provide a higher level of instruction in their

121-29  respective fields of teaching. Such training must include instruction

121-30  in effective methods to teach in a content area provided by teachers

121-31  who are considered masters in that content area.

121-32        (3) Training for teachers in the methods to teach basic skills

121-33  to pupils, such as providing instruction in reading with the use of

121-34  phonics and providing instruction in basic skills of mathematics

121-35  computation.

121-36    2.  The training required pursuant to subsection 1 must:

121-37    (a) Include the activities set forth in 20 U.S.C. § 7801(34), as

121-38  deemed appropriate by the governing body for the type of training

121-39  offered.

121-40    (b) Include appropriate procedures to ensure follow-up training

121-41  for teachers and administrators who have received training through

121-42  the program.

121-43    [(b)] (c) Incorporate training that addresses the educational

121-44  needs of:


122-1         (1) Pupils with disabilities who participate in programs of

122-2  special education; and

122-3         (2) Pupils [whose primary language is not English.] who are

122-4  limited English proficient.

122-5     3.  The governing body of each regional training program shall

122-6  prepare and maintain a list that identifies programs for the

122-7  professional development of teachers and administrators that

122-8  successfully incorporate the standards of content and performance

122-9  established by the Council to Establish Academic Standards for

122-10  Public Schools pursuant to NRS 389.520 and other training listed in

122-11  subsection 1. The governing body shall provide a copy of the list on

122-12  an annual basis to school districts for dissemination to teachers and

122-13  administrators.

122-14    4.  A regional training program may include model classrooms

122-15  that demonstrate the use of educational technology for teaching and

122-16  learning.

122-17    5.  A regional training program may contract with the board

122-18  of trustees of a school district that is served by the regional

122-19  training program as set forth in NRS 391.512 to provide

122-20  professional development to the teachers and administrators

122-21  employed by the school district that is in addition to the training

122-22  required by this section. Any training provided pursuant to this

122-23  subsection must include the activities set forth in 20 U.S.C. §

122-24  7801(34), as deemed appropriate by the governing body for the

122-25  type of training offered.

122-26    6.  To the extent money is available from legislative

122-27  appropriation or otherwise, a regional training program may

122-28  provide training to paraprofessionals.

122-29    Sec. 106.  NRS 391.552 is hereby amended to read as follows:

122-30    391.552  The governing body of each regional training program

122-31  shall:

122-32    1.  Establish a method for the evaluation of the success of the

122-33  regional training program. The method must be consistent with the

122-34  uniform procedures adopted by the Statewide Council pursuant to

122-35  NRS 391.520.

122-36    2.  On or before July 1 of each year, submit an annual report to

122-37  the State Board, the Commission, the Legislative Committee on

122-38  Education and the Legislative Bureau of Educational Accountability

122-39  and Program Evaluation that includes:

122-40    (a) The priorities for training adopted by the governing body

122-41  pursuant to NRS 391.540 . [;]

122-42    (b) The type of training offered through the program in the

122-43  immediately preceding year . [;]

122-44    (c) The number of teachers and administrators who received

122-45  training through the program in the immediately preceding year . [;]


123-1     (d) The number of paraprofessionals, if any, who received

123-2  training through the program in the immediately preceding year.

123-3     (e) An evaluation of the success of the program in accordance

123-4  with the method established pursuant to subsection 1 . [; and

123-5     (e)] (f) A description of the gifts and grants, if any, received by

123-6  the governing body in the immediately preceding year and the gifts

123-7  and grants, if any, received by the Statewide Council during the

123-8  immediately preceding year on behalf of the regional training

123-9  program. The description must include the manner in which the

123-10  gifts and grants were expended.

123-11    (g) The 5-year plan for the program prepared pursuant to NRS

123-12  391.540 and any revisions to the plan made by the governing body

123-13  in the immediately preceding year.

123-14    Sec. 107.  NRS 391.604 is hereby amended to read as follows:

123-15    391.604  “Examination” means:

123-16    1.  Achievement and proficiency examinations that are

123-17  administered to pupils pursuant to NRS 389.015 ; [or 389.550;] and

123-18    2.  Any other examinations which measure the achievement and

123-19  proficiency of pupils and which are administered to pupils on a

123-20  district-wide basis.

123-21    Sec. 108.  Chapter 392 of NRS is hereby amended by adding

123-22  thereto a new section to read as follows:

123-23    The State Board shall adopt regulations to carry out the

123-24  provisions of 20 U.S.C. § 7912 concerning the choice that must be

123-25  offered to a pupil to attend another public school, including,

123-26  without limitation, a charter school, if the pupil is enrolled in a

123-27  persistently dangerous school or is the victim of a violent offense

123-28  while at school or on the grounds of the school in which he is

123-29  enrolled. The regulations must include the criteria for identifying

123-30  a school as persistently dangerous.

123-31    Sec. 109.  NRS 392.128 is hereby amended to read as follows:

123-32    392.128  1.  Each advisory board to review school attendance

123-33  created pursuant to NRS 392.126 shall:

123-34    (a) Review the records of the attendance and truancy of pupils

123-35  submitted to the advisory board to review school attendance by the

123-36  board of trustees of the school district pursuant to subsection [6] 7

123-37  of NRS 385.347;

123-38    (b) Identify factors that contribute to the truancy of pupils in the

123-39  school district;

123-40    (c) Establish programs to reduce the truancy of pupils in the

123-41  school district;

123-42    (d) At least annually, evaluate the effectiveness of those

123-43  programs;

123-44    (e) Establish a procedure for schools and school districts for the

123-45  reporting of the status of pupils as habitual truants; and


124-1     (f) Inform the parents and legal guardians of the pupils who are

124-2  enrolled in the schools within the district of the policies and

124-3  procedures adopted pursuant to the provisions of this section.

124-4     2.  The chairman of an advisory board may divide the advisory

124-5  board into subcommittees. The advisory board may delegate one or

124-6  more of the duties of the advisory board to a subcommittee of the

124-7  advisory board, including, without limitation, holding hearings

124-8  pursuant to NRS 392.147. If the chairman of an advisory board

124-9  divides the advisory board into subcommittees, the chairman shall

124-10  notify the board of trustees of the school district of this action. Upon

124-11  receipt of such a notice, the board of trustees shall establish rules

124-12  and procedures for each such subcommittee. A subcommittee shall

124-13  abide by the applicable rules and procedures when it takes action or

124-14  makes decisions.

124-15    3.  An advisory board to review school attendance created in a

124-16  county pursuant to NRS 392.126 may use money appropriated by

124-17  the Legislature and any other money made available to the advisory

124-18  board for the use of programs to reduce the truancy of pupils in the

124-19  school district. The advisory board to review school attendance

124-20  shall, on a quarterly basis, provide to the board of trustees of the

124-21  school district an accounting of the money used by the advisory

124-22  board to review school attendance to reduce the truancy of pupils in

124-23  the school district.

124-24    Sec. 110.  NRS 392.463 is hereby amended to read as follows:

124-25    392.463  1.  Each school district shall adopt a plan to ensure

124-26  that the public schools within the school district are safe and free

124-27  of controlled substances. The plan must comply with the Safe and

124-28  Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, 20 U.S.C. §§ 7101 et

124-29  seq.

124-30    2.  Each school district shall prescribe written rules of behavior

124-31  required of and prohibited for pupils attending school within their

124-32  district and shall prescribe appropriate punishments for violations of

124-33  the rules. If suspension or expulsion is used as a punishment for a

124-34  violation of the rules, the school district shall follow the procedures

124-35  in NRS 392.467.

124-36    [2.] 3.  A copy of the plan adopted pursuant to subsection 1

124-37  and the rules of behavior, prescribed punishments and procedures to

124-38  be followed in imposing punishments prescribed pursuant to

124-39  subsection 2 must be distributed to each pupil at the beginning of

124-40  the school year and to each new pupil who enters school during the

124-41  year. Copies must also be made available for inspection at each

124-42  school located in that district in an area on the grounds of the school

124-43  which is open to the public.

 

 


125-1     Sec. 111.  NRS 392.466 is hereby amended to read as follows:

125-2     392.466  1.  Except as otherwise provided in this section, any

125-3  pupil who commits a battery which results in the bodily injury of an

125-4  employee of the school or who sells or distributes any controlled

125-5  substance while on the premises of any public school, at an activity

125-6  sponsored by a public school or on any school bus must, for the first

125-7  occurrence, be suspended or expelled from that school, although he

125-8  may be placed in another kind of school, for at least a period equal

125-9  to one semester for that school. For a second occurrence, the pupil

125-10  must:

125-11    (a) Be permanently expelled from that school; and

125-12    (b) Receive equivalent instruction authorized by the State Board

125-13  pursuant to subsection 1 of NRS 392.070.

125-14    2.  Except as otherwise provided in this section, any pupil who

125-15  is found in possession of a firearm or a dangerous weapon while on

125-16  the premises of any public school, at an activity sponsored by a

125-17  public school or on any school bus must, for the first occurrence, be

125-18  expelled from the school for a period of not less than 1 year,

125-19  although he may be placed in another kind of school for a period not

125-20  to exceed the period of the expulsion. For a second occurrence, the

125-21  pupil must:

125-22    (a) Be permanently expelled from the school; and

125-23    (b) Receive equivalent instruction authorized by the State Board

125-24  pursuant to subsection 1 of NRS 392.070.

125-25  The superintendent of schools of a school district may, for good

125-26  cause shown in a particular case in that school district, allow [an

125-27  exception] a modification to the expulsion requirement of this

125-28  subsection[.] if such modification is set forth in writing.

125-29    3.  Except as otherwise provided in this section, if a pupil is

125-30  deemed a habitual disciplinary problem pursuant to NRS 392.4655,

125-31  the pupil must be suspended or expelled from the school for a period

125-32  equal to at least one semester for that school. For the period of his

125-33  suspension or expulsion, the pupil must receive equivalent

125-34  instruction authorized by the State Board pursuant to subsection 1 of

125-35  NRS 392.070.

125-36    4.  This section does not prohibit a pupil from having in his

125-37  possession a knife or firearm with the approval of the principal of

125-38  the school. A principal may grant such approval only in accordance

125-39  with the policies or regulations adopted by the board of trustees of

125-40  the school district.

125-41    5.  Any pupil in grades 1 to 6, inclusive, except a pupil who has

125-42  been found to have possessed a firearm in violation of subsection 2,

125-43  may be suspended from school or permanently expelled from school

125-44  pursuant to this section only after the board of trustees of the school

125-45  district has reviewed the circumstances and approved this action in


126-1  accordance with the procedural policy adopted by the board for such

126-2  issues.

126-3     6.  A pupil who is participating in a program of special

126-4  education pursuant to NRS 388.520, other than a pupil who is gifted

126-5  and talented, may, in accordance with the procedural policy adopted

126-6  by the board of trustees of the school district for such matters, be:

126-7     (a) Suspended from school pursuant to this section for not more

126-8  than 10 days. Such a suspension may be imposed pursuant to this

126-9  paragraph for each occurrence of conduct proscribed by

126-10  subsection 1.

126-11    (b) Suspended from school for more than 10 days or

126-12  permanently expelled from school pursuant to this section only after

126-13  the board of trustees of the school district has reviewed the

126-14  circumstances and determined that the action is in compliance with

126-15  the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1400

126-16  et seq.

126-17    7.  As used in this section:

126-18    (a) “Battery” has the meaning ascribed to it in paragraph (a) of

126-19  subsection 1 of NRS 200.481.

126-20    (b) “Dangerous weapon” includes, without limitation, a

126-21  blackjack, slungshot, billy, sand-club, sandbag, metal knuckles, dirk

126-22  or dagger, a nunchaku, switchblade knife or trefoil, as defined in

126-23  NRS 202.350, a butterfly knife or any other knife described in NRS

126-24  202.350, or any other object which is used, or threatened to be used,

126-25  in such a manner and under such circumstances as to pose a threat

126-26  of, or cause, bodily injury to a person.

126-27    (c) “Firearm” includes, without limitation, any pistol, revolver,

126-28  shotgun, explosive substance or device, and any other item included

126-29  within the definition of a “firearm” in 18 U.S.C. § 921, as that

126-30  section existed on July 1, 1995.

126-31    Sec. 112.  NRS 179A.075 is hereby amended to read as

126-32  follows:

126-33    179A.075  1.  The Central Repository for Nevada Records of

126-34  Criminal History is hereby created within the Nevada Highway

126-35  Patrol Division of the Department.

126-36    2.  Each agency of criminal justice and any other agency

126-37  dealing with crime or delinquency of children shall:

126-38    (a) Collect and maintain records, reports and compilations of

126-39  statistical data required by the Department; and

126-40    (b) Submit the information collected to the Central Repository

126-41  in the manner recommended by the Advisory Committee and

126-42  approved by the Director of the Department.

126-43    3.  Each agency of criminal justice shall submit the information

126-44  relating to sexual offenses and other records of criminal history that

126-45  it creates or issues, and any information in its possession relating to


127-1  the genetic markers of a biological specimen of a person who is

127-2  convicted of an offense listed in subsection 4 of NRS 176.0913, to

127-3  the Division in the manner prescribed by the Director of the

127-4  Department. The information must be submitted to the Division:

127-5     (a) Through an electronic network;

127-6     (b) On a medium of magnetic storage; or

127-7     (c) In the manner prescribed by the Director of the

127-8  Department,

127-9  within the period prescribed by the Director of the Department. If an

127-10  agency has submitted a record regarding the arrest of a person who

127-11  is later determined by the agency not to be the person who

127-12  committed the particular crime, the agency shall, immediately upon

127-13  making that determination, so notify the Division. The Division

127-14  shall delete all references in the Central Repository relating to that

127-15  particular arrest.

127-16    4.  The Division shall, in the manner prescribed by the Director

127-17  of the Department:

127-18    (a) Collect, maintain and arrange all information submitted to it

127-19  relating to:

127-20        (1) Sexual offenses and other records of criminal history; and

127-21        (2) The genetic markers of a biological specimen of a person

127-22  who is convicted of an offense listed in subsection 4 of

127-23  NRS 176.0913.

127-24    (b) When practicable, use a record of the personal identifying

127-25  information of a subject as the basis for any records maintained

127-26  regarding him.

127-27    (c) Upon request, provide the information that is contained in

127-28  the Central Repository to the State Disaster Identification Team of

127-29  the Division of Emergency Management of the Department.

127-30    5.  The Division may:

127-31    (a) Disseminate any information which is contained in the

127-32  Central Repository to any other agency of criminal justice;

127-33    (b) Enter into cooperative agreements with federal and state

127-34  repositories to facilitate exchanges of information that may be

127-35  disseminated pursuant to paragraph (a); and

127-36    (c) Request of and receive from the Federal Bureau of

127-37  Investigation information on the background and personal history of

127-38  any person whose record of fingerprints the Central Repository

127-39  submits to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and:

127-40        (1) Who has applied to any agency of the State of Nevada or

127-41  any political subdivision thereof for a license which it has the power

127-42  to grant or deny;

127-43        (2) With whom any agency of the State of Nevada or any

127-44  political subdivision thereof intends to enter into a relationship of

127-45  employment or a contract for personal services;


128-1         (3) About whom any agency of the State of Nevada or any

128-2  political subdivision thereof has a legitimate need to have accurate

128-3  personal information for the protection of the agency or the persons

128-4  within its jurisdiction; or

128-5         (4) For whom such information is required to be obtained

128-6  pursuant to NRS 449.179.

128-7     6.  The Central Repository shall:

128-8     (a) Collect and maintain records, reports and compilations of

128-9  statistical data submitted by any agency pursuant to subsection 2.

128-10    (b) Tabulate and analyze all records, reports and compilations of

128-11  statistical data received pursuant to this section.

128-12    (c) Disseminate to federal agencies engaged in the collection of

128-13  statistical data relating to crime information which is contained in

128-14  the Central Repository.

128-15    (d) Investigate the criminal history of any person who:

128-16        (1) Has applied to the Superintendent of Public Instruction

128-17  for a license;

128-18        (2) Has applied to the State Board for a certificate as a

128-19  paraprofessional;

128-20        (3) Has applied to a county school district for employment;

128-21  or

128-22        [(3)] (4) Is employed by a county school district,

128-23  and notify the superintendent of each county school district and the

128-24  Superintendent of Public Instruction or the State Board, as

128-25  applicable, if the investigation of the Central Repository indicates

128-26  that the person has been convicted of a violation of NRS 200.508,

128-27  201.230, 453.3385, 453.339 or 453.3395, or convicted of a felony or

128-28  any offense involving moral turpitude.

128-29    (e) Upon discovery, notify the superintendent of each county

128-30  school district by providing him with a list of all persons:

128-31        (1) Investigated pursuant to paragraph (d); or

128-32        (2) Employed by a county school district whose fingerprints

128-33  were sent previously to the Central Repository for

128-34  investigation,

128-35  who the Central Repository’s records indicate have been convicted

128-36  of a violation of NRS 200.508, 201.230, 453.3385, 453.339 or

128-37  453.3395, or convicted of a felony or any offense involving moral

128-38  turpitude since the Central Repository’s initial investigation. The

128-39  superintendent of each county school district shall determine

128-40  whether further investigation or action by the district is appropriate.

128-41    (f) Investigate the criminal history of each person who submits

128-42  fingerprints or has his fingerprints submitted pursuant to NRS

128-43  449.176 or 449.179.

128-44    (g) On or before July 1 of each year, prepare and present to the

128-45  Governor a printed annual report containing the statistical data


129-1  relating to crime received during the preceding calendar year.

129-2  Additional reports may be presented to the Governor throughout the

129-3  year regarding specific areas of crime if they are recommended by

129-4  the Advisory Committee and approved by the Director of

129-5  the Department.

129-6     (h) On or before July 1 of each year, prepare and submit to the

129-7  Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau, for submission to the

129-8  Legislature, or the Legislative Commission when the Legislature is

129-9  not in regular session, a report containing statistical data about

129-10  domestic violence in this state.

129-11    (i) Identify and review the collection and processing of

129-12  statistical data relating to criminal justice and the delinquency of

129-13  children by any agency identified in subsection 2, and make

129-14  recommendations for any necessary changes in the manner of

129-15  collecting and processing statistical data by any such agency.

129-16    7.  The Central Repository may:

129-17    (a) At the recommendation of the Advisory Committee and in

129-18  the manner prescribed by the Director of the Department,

129-19  disseminate compilations of statistical data and publish statistical

129-20  reports relating to crime or the delinquency of children.

129-21    (b) Charge a reasonable fee for any publication or special report

129-22  it distributes relating to data collected pursuant to this section. The

129-23  Central Repository may not collect such a fee from an agency of

129-24  criminal justice, any other agency dealing with crime or the

129-25  delinquency of children which is required to submit information

129-26  pursuant to subsection 2 or the State Disaster Identification Team of

129-27  the Division of Emergency Management of the Department. All

129-28  money collected pursuant to this paragraph must be used to pay for

129-29  the cost of operating the Central Repository.

129-30    (c) In the manner prescribed by the Director of the Department,

129-31  use electronic means to receive and disseminate information

129-32  contained in the Central Repository that it is authorized to

129-33  disseminate pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

129-34    8.  As used in this section:

129-35    (a) “Advisory Committee” means the Committee established by

129-36  the Director of the Department pursuant to NRS 179A.078.

129-37    (b) “Personal identifying information” means any information

129-38  designed, commonly used or capable of being used, alone or in

129-39  conjunction with any other information, to identify a person,

129-40  including, without limitation:

129-41        (1) The name, driver’s license number, social security

129-42  number, date of birth and photograph or [computer generated]

129-43  computer-generated image of a person; and

129-44        (2) The fingerprints, voiceprint, retina image and iris image

129-45  of a person.


130-1     Sec. 113.  NRS 218.5354 is hereby amended to read as

130-2  follows:

130-3     218.5354  1.  The Committee may:

130-4     (a) Evaluate, review and comment upon issues related to

130-5  education within this state, including, but not limited to:

130-6         (1) Programs to enhance accountability in education;

130-7         (2) Legislative measures regarding education;

130-8         (3) The progress made by this state, the school districts and

130-9  the public schools in this state in satisfying the goals and

130-10  objectives of the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, 20

130-11  U.S.C. §§ 6301 et seq., and the annual measurable objectives

130-12  established by the State Board of Education pursuant to section 4

130-13  of this act;

130-14        (4) Methods of financing public education;

130-15        [(4)] (5) The condition of public education in the elementary

130-16  and secondary schools;

130-17        [(5)] (6)  The program to reduce the ratio of pupils per class

130-18  per licensed teacher prescribed in NRS 388.700, 388.710 and

130-19  388.720;

130-20        [(6)] (7)  The development of any programs to automate the

130-21  receipt, storage and retrieval of the educational records of pupils;

130-22  and

130-23        [(7)] (8) Any other matters that, in the determination of the

130-24  Committee, affect the education of pupils within this state.

130-25    (b) Conduct investigations and hold hearings in connection with

130-26  its duties pursuant to this section.

130-27    (c) Request that the Legislative Counsel Bureau assist in the

130-28  research, investigations, hearings and reviews of the Committee.

130-29    (d) Make recommendations to the Legislature concerning the

130-30  manner in which public education may be improved.

130-31    2.  The Committee shall:

130-32    (a) In addition to any standards prescribed by the Department of

130-33  Education, prescribe standards for the review and evaluation of the

130-34  reports of the State Board of Education, school districts and public

130-35  schools pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection 1 of NRS 385.359.

130-36    (b) For the purposes set forth in NRS 385.389, recommend to

130-37  the Department of Education programs of remedial study for each

130-38  subject tested on the examinations administered pursuant to NRS

130-39  389.015. In recommending these programs of remedial study, the

130-40  Committee shall consider programs of remedial study that have

130-41  proven to be successful in improving the academic achievement of

130-42  pupils.

130-43    (c) Recommend to the Department of Education providers of

130-44  supplemental educational services for inclusion on the list of

130-45  approved providers prepared by the Department pursuant to


131-1  section 37 of this act. In recommending providers, the Committee

131-2  shall consider providers with a demonstrated record of

131-3  effectiveness in improving the academic achievement of pupils.

131-4     Sec. 114.  NRS 218.5356 is hereby amended to read as

131-5  follows:

131-6     218.5356  1.  The Legislative Bureau of Educational

131-7  Accountability and Program Evaluation is hereby created within the

131-8  Fiscal Analysis Division of the Legislative Counsel Bureau. The

131-9  fiscal analysts shall appoint to the Legislative Bureau of Educational

131-10  Accountability and Program Evaluation a Chief and such other

131-11  personnel as the fiscal analysts determine are necessary for the

131-12  Bureau to carry out its duties pursuant to this section.

131-13    2.  The Bureau shall, as the fiscal analysts determine is

131-14  necessary or at the request of the Committee:

131-15    (a) Collect and analyze data and issue written reports

131-16  concerning:

131-17        (1) The effectiveness of the provisions of NRS 385.3455 to

131-18  385.391, inclusive, and sections 2 to 37, inclusive, of this act, in

131-19  improving the accountability of the schools of this state;

131-20        (2) The statewide program to reduce the ratio of pupils per

131-21  class per licensed teacher prescribed in NRS 388.700, 388.710 and

131-22  388.720;

131-23        (3) The statewide program to educate persons with

131-24  disabilities that is set forth in chapter 395 of NRS;

131-25        (4) The results of the examinations of the National

131-26  Assessment of Educational Progress that are administered pursuant

131-27  to NRS 389.012; and

131-28        (5) Any program or legislative measure, the purpose of

131-29  which is to reform the system of education within this state.

131-30    (b) Conduct studies and analyses to evaluate the performance

131-31  and progress of the system of public education within this state.

131-32  Such studies and analyses may be conducted:

131-33        (1) As the fiscal analysts determine are necessary; or

131-34        (2) At the request of the Legislature.

131-35  This paragraph does not prohibit the Bureau from contracting with a

131-36  person or entity to conduct studies and analyses on behalf of the

131-37  Bureau.

131-38    (c) On or before December 31 of each even-numbered year,

131-39  submit a written report of its findings pursuant to paragraphs (a) and

131-40  (b) to the Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau for

131-41  transmission to the next regular session of the Legislature. The

131-42  Bureau shall, on or before December 31 of each odd-numbered year,

131-43  submit a written report of its findings pursuant to paragraphs (a) and

131-44  (b) to the Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau for

131-45  transmission to the Legislative Commission.


132-1     3.  The Bureau may, pursuant to NRS 218.687, require a

132-2  school, a school district, the University and Community College

132-3  System of Nevada or the Department of Education to submit to the

132-4  Bureau books, papers, records and other information that the Chief

132-5  of the Bureau determines are necessary to carry out the duties of the

132-6  Bureau pursuant to this section. An entity whom the Bureau requests

132-7  to produce records or other information shall provide the records or

132-8  other information in any readily available format specified by the

132-9  Bureau.

132-10    4.  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, any

132-11  information obtained by the Bureau pursuant to this section shall be

132-12  deemed a work product that is confidential pursuant to NRS

132-13  218.625. The Bureau may, at the discretion of the Chief and after

132-14  submission to the Legislature or Legislative Commission, as

132-15  appropriate, publish reports of its findings pursuant to paragraphs

132-16  (a) and (b) of subsection 2.

132-17    5.  This section does not prohibit the Department of Education

132-18  or the State Board of Education from conducting analyses,

132-19  submitting reports or otherwise reviewing educational programs in

132-20  this state.

132-21    Sec. 115.  NRS 354.598 is hereby amended to read as follows:

132-22    354.598  1.  At the time and place advertised for public

132-23  hearing, or at any time and place to which the public hearing is from

132-24  time to time adjourned, the governing body shall hold a public

132-25  hearing on the tentative budget, at which time interested persons

132-26  must be given an opportunity to be heard.

132-27    2.  At the public hearing, the governing body shall indicate

132-28  changes, if any, to be made in the tentative budget[,] and shall

132-29  adopt a final budget by the favorable votes of a majority of all

132-30  members of the governing body. Except as otherwise provided in

132-31  this subsection, the final budget must be adopted on or before June 1

132-32  of each year. The final budgets of school districts must be adopted

132-33  on or before June 8 of each year . [and must be accompanied by

132-34  copies of the written report and written procedure prepared pursuant

132-35  to subsection 3 of NRS 385.351.] Should the governing body fail to

132-36  adopt a final budget that complies with the requirements of law and

132-37  the regulations of the Committee on Local Government Finance on

132-38  or before the required date, the budget adopted and used for

132-39  certification of the combined ad valorem tax rate by the Department

132-40  of Taxation for the current year, adjusted as to content and rate in

132-41  such a manner as the Department of Taxation may consider

132-42  necessary, automatically becomes the budget for the ensuing fiscal

132-43  year. When a budget has been so adopted by default, the governing

132-44  body may not reconsider the budget without the express approval of

132-45  the Department of Taxation. If the default budget creates a


133-1  combined ad valorem tax rate in excess of the limit imposed by

133-2  NRS 361.453, the Nevada Tax Commission shall adjust the budget

133-3  as provided in NRS 361.4547 or 361.455.

133-4     3.  The final budget must be certified by a majority of all

133-5  members of the governing body , and a copy of it, together with an

133-6  affidavit of proof of publication of the notice of the public hearing,

133-7  must be transmitted to the Nevada Tax Commission. If a tentative

133-8  budget is adopted by default as provided in subsection 2, the clerk of

133-9  the governing body shall certify the budget and transmit to the

133-10  Nevada Tax Commission a copy of the budget, together with an

133-11  affidavit of proof of the notice of the public hearing, if that notice

133-12  was published. Certified copies of the final budget must be

133-13  distributed as determined by the Department of Taxation.

133-14    4.  Upon the adoption of the final budget or the amendment of

133-15  the budget in accordance with NRS 354.598005, the several

133-16  amounts stated in it as proposed expenditures are appropriated for

133-17  the purposes indicated in the budget.

133-18    5.  No governing body may adopt any budget which

133-19  appropriates for any fund any amount in excess of the budget

133-20  resources of that fund.

133-21    6.  If a local government makes a change in its final budget

133-22  which increases the combined ad valorem tax rate, the local

133-23  government shall submit the amended final budget to the county

133-24  auditor within 15 days after making the change.

133-25    Sec. 116.  Section 4 of this act is hereby amended to read as

133-26  follows:

133-27    Sec. 4.  1.  The State Board shall define the

133-28  measurement for determining whether each public school,

133-29  each school district and this state are making adequate yearly

133-30  progress. The definition of adequate yearly progress must:

133-31    (a) Comply with 20 U.S.C. § 6311(b)(2) and the

133-32  regulations adopted pursuant thereto;

133-33    (b) Be designed to ensure that all pupils, including,

133-34  without limitation, the pupils in each subgroup identified in

133-35  paragraph (d), will meet or exceed the minimum level of

133-36  proficiency set by the State Board;

133-37    (c) Except as otherwise provided in subsections 2 and 3,

133-38  be based primarily upon the measurement of the progress of

133-39  pupils on the examinations administered pursuant to NRS

133-40  389.015 ;[and 389.550;]

133-41    (d) Include annual measurable objectives established

133-42  pursuant to 20 U.S.C. § 6311(b)(2)(G) and the regulations

133-43  adopted pursuant thereto, including, without limitation,

133-44  separate annual measurable objectives for each of the

133-45  following subgroups of pupils:


134-1         (1) Pupils who are economically disadvantaged, as

134-2  defined by the State Board;

134-3         (2) Pupils from major racial and ethnic groups, as

134-4  defined by the State Board;

134-5         (3) Pupils with disabilities; and

134-6         (4) Pupils who are limited English proficient;

134-7     (e) For high schools, include the rate of graduation; and

134-8     (f) For elementary schools, junior high schools and

134-9  middle schools, include the rate of attendance.

134-10    2.  The examination in writing administered to pupils in

134-11  grade 4 must not be included in the definition of adequate

134-12  yearly progress.

134-13    3.  The examination in science must not be included in

134-14  the definition of adequate yearly progress.

134-15    Sec. 117.  Section 5 of this act is hereby amended to read as

134-16  follows:

134-17    Sec. 5.  1.  The State Board shall adopt regulations that

134-18  prescribe, consistent with 20 U.S.C. §§ 6301 et seq. and the

134-19  regulations adopted pursuant thereto, the manner in which

134-20  pupils enrolled in:

134-21    (a) A program of distance education pursuant to NRS

134-22  388.820 to 388.874, inclusive;

134-23    (b) An alternative program for the education of pupils at

134-24  risk of dropping out of high school; or

134-25    (c) A program of education that:

134-26        (1) Primarily serves pupils with disabilities; or

134-27        (2) Is operated within a:

134-28            (I) Youth training center;

134-29            (II) Youth center;

134-30            (III) Juvenile forestry camp;

134-31            (IV) Detention home;

134-32            (V) Youth camp;

134-33            (VI) Juvenile correctional institution; or

134-34            (VII) Correctional institution,

134-35  will be included within the statewide system of accountability

134-36  set forth in sections 2 to 37, inclusive, of this act.

134-37    2.  The regulations adopted pursuant to subsection 1 must

134-38  also set forth the manner in which:

134-39    (a) The progress of pupils enrolled in a program of

134-40  distance education, an alternative program or a program of

134-41  education described in subsection 1 will be accounted for

134-42  within the statewide system of accountability; and

134-43    (b) The results of pupils enrolled in a program of distance

134-44  education, an alternative program or a program of education


135-1  described in subsection 1 on the examinations administered

135-2  pursuant to NRS 389.015 [and 389.550] will be reported.

135-3     Sec. 118.  Section 6 of this act is hereby amended to read as

135-4  follows:

135-5     Sec. 6.  1.  The State Board shall prepare an annual

135-6  report of accountability that includes, without limitation:

135-7     (a) Information on the achievement of all pupils based

135-8  upon the results of the examinations administered pursuant to

135-9  NRS 389.015 , [and 389.550,] reported for each school

135-10  district, including, without limitation, each charter school in

135-11  the district, and for this state as a whole.

135-12    (b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, pupil

135-13  achievement, reported separately by gender and reported

135-14  separately for the following subgroups of pupils:

135-15        (1) Pupils who are economically disadvantaged, as

135-16  defined by the State Board;

135-17        (2) Pupils from major racial and ethnic groups, as

135-18  defined by the State Board;

135-19        (3) Pupils with disabilities;

135-20        (4) Pupils who are limited English proficient; and

135-21        (5) Pupils who are migratory children, as defined by

135-22  the State Board.

135-23    (c) A comparison of the achievement of pupils in each

135-24  subgroup identified in paragraph (d) of subsection 1 of

135-25  section 4 of this act with the annual measurable objectives of

135-26  the State Board for that subgroup established pursuant to that

135-27  section.

135-28    (d) The percentage of all pupils who were not tested,

135-29  reported for each school district, including, without

135-30  limitation, each charter school in the district, and for this state

135-31  as a whole.

135-32    (e) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, the

135-33  percentage of pupils who were not tested, reported separately

135-34  by gender and reported separately for the subgroups identified

135-35  in paragraph (b).

135-36    (f) The most recent 3-year trend in the achievement of

135-37  pupils in each subject area tested and each grade level tested

135-38  pursuant to NRS 389.015 , [and 389.550,] reported for each

135-39  school district, including, without limitation, each charter

135-40  school in the district, and for this state as a whole, which may

135-41  include information regarding the trend in the achievement of

135-42  pupils for more than 3 years, if such information is available.

135-43    (g) Information on whether each school district has made

135-44  adequate yearly progress, including, without limitation, the

135-45  name of each school district, if any, designated as


136-1  demonstrating need for improvement pursuant to section 32

136-2  of this act and the number of consecutive years that the

136-3  school district has carried that designation.

136-4     (h) Information on whether each public school, including,

136-5  without limitation, each charter school, has made adequate

136-6  yearly progress, including, without limitation, the name of

136-7  each public school, if any, designated as demonstrating need

136-8  for improvement pursuant to section 14 of this act and the

136-9  number of consecutive years that the school has carried that

136-10  designation.

136-11    (i) Information on the results of pupils who participated in

136-12  the examinations of the National Assessment of Educational

136-13  Progress required pursuant to NRS 389.012.

136-14    (j) The ratio of pupils to teachers in kindergarten and at

136-15  each grade level for all elementary schools, reported for each

136-16  school district, including, without limitation, each charter

136-17  school in the district, and for this state as a whole, and the

136-18  average class size for each core academic subject, as set forth

136-19  in NRS 389.018, for each secondary school, reported for each

136-20  school district and for this state as a whole.

136-21    (k) Information on the professional qualifications of

136-22  teachers employed by school districts and charter schools,

136-23  including, without limitation:

136-24        (1) The percentage of teachers who are:

136-25            (I) Providing instruction pursuant to NRS 391.125;

136-26            (II) Providing instruction pursuant to a waiver of

136-27  the requirements for licensure for the grade level or subject

136-28  area in which the teachers are employed; or

136-29            (III) Otherwise providing instruction without an

136-30  endorsement for the subject area in which the teachers are

136-31  employed;

136-32        (2) The percentage of classes in the core academic

136-33  subjects, as set forth in NRS 389.018, in this state that are not

136-34  taught by highly qualified teachers; and

136-35        (3) The percentage of classes in the core academic

136-36  subjects, as set forth in NRS 389.018, in this state that are not

136-37  taught by highly qualified teachers in schools that are:

136-38            (I) In the top quartile of poverty in this state; and

136-39            (II) In the bottom quartile of poverty in this state.

136-40    (l) The total expenditure per pupil for each school district

136-41  in this state, including, without limitation, each charter school

136-42  in the district.

136-43    (m) The total statewide expenditure per pupil.

136-44    (n) For all elementary schools, junior high schools and

136-45  middle schools, the rate of attendance, reported for each


137-1  school district, including, without limitation, each charter

137-2  school in the district, and for this state as a whole.

137-3     (o) The annual rate of pupils who drop out of school in

137-4  grades 9 to 12, inclusive, reported for each school district,

137-5  including, without limitation, each charter school in the

137-6  district, and for this state as a whole, excluding pupils who:

137-7         (1) Provide proof to the school district of successful

137-8  completion of the examinations of general educational

137-9  development.

137-10        (2) Are enrolled in courses that are approved by the

137-11  Department as meeting the requirements for an adult standard

137-12  diploma.

137-13        (3) Withdraw from school to attend another school.

137-14    (p) The attendance of teachers who provide instruction,

137-15  reported for each school district, including, without

137-16  limitation, each charter school in the district, and for this state

137-17  as a whole.

137-18    (q) Incidents involving weapons or violence, reported for

137-19  each school district, including, without limitation, each

137-20  charter school in the district, and for this state as a whole.

137-21    (r) Incidents involving the use or possession of alcoholic

137-22  beverages or controlled substances, reported for each school

137-23  district, including, without limitation, each charter school in

137-24  the district, and for this state as a whole.

137-25    (s) The suspension and expulsion of pupils required or

137-26  authorized pursuant to NRS 392.466 and 392.467, reported

137-27  for each school district, including, without limitation, each

137-28  charter school in the district, and for this state as a whole.

137-29    (t) The number of pupils who are deemed habitual

137-30  disciplinary problems pursuant to NRS 392.4655, reported for

137-31  each school district, including, without limitation, each

137-32  charter school in the district, and for this state as a whole.

137-33    (u) The number of pupils in each grade who are retained

137-34  in the same grade pursuant to NRS 392.033 or 392.125,

137-35  reported for each school district, including, without

137-36  limitation, each charter school in the district, and for this state

137-37  as a whole.

137-38    (v) The transiency rate of pupils, reported for each school

137-39  district, including, without limitation, each charter school in

137-40  the district, and for this state as a whole. For the purposes of

137-41  this paragraph, a pupil is not a transient if he is transferred to

137-42  a different school within the school district as a result of a

137-43  change in the zone of attendance by the board of trustees of

137-44  the school district pursuant to NRS 388.040.


138-1     (w) Each source of funding for this state to be used for the

138-2  system of public education.

138-3     (x) The amount and sources of money received by this

138-4  state for remedial education.

138-5     (y) The percentage of pupils who graduated from a high

138-6  school or charter school in the immediately preceding year

138-7  and enrolled in remedial courses in reading, writing or

138-8  mathematics at a university or community college within the

138-9  University and Community College System of Nevada,

138-10  reported for each school district, including, without

138-11  limitation, each charter school in the district, and for this state

138-12  as a whole.

138-13    (z) The technological facilities and equipment available

138-14  for educational purposes, reported for each school district,

138-15  including, without limitation, each charter school in the

138-16  district, and for this state as a whole.

138-17    (aa) For each school district, including, without

138-18  limitation, each charter school in the district, and for this state

138-19  as a whole, the number and percentage of pupils who

138-20  received:

138-21        (1) A standard high school diploma.

138-22        (2) An adjusted diploma.

138-23        (3) A certificate of attendance.

138-24    (bb) The number and percentage of pupils who did not

138-25  receive a high school diploma because the pupils failed to

138-26  pass the high school proficiency examination, reported for

138-27  each school district, including, without limitation, each

138-28  charter school in the district, and for this state as a whole.

138-29    (cc) The number of habitual truants who are reported to a

138-30  school police officer or law enforcement agency pursuant to

138-31  paragraph (a) of subsection 2 of NRS 392.144 and the

138-32  number of habitual truants who are referred to an advisory

138-33  board to review school attendance pursuant to paragraph (b)

138-34  of subsection 2 of NRS 392.144, reported for each school

138-35  district, including, without limitation, each charter school in

138-36  the district, and for this state as a whole.

138-37    (dd) Information on the paraprofessionals employed at

138-38  public schools in this state, including, without limitation, the

138-39  charter schools in this state. The information must include:

138-40        (1) The number of paraprofessionals employed,

138-41  reported for each school district, including, without

138-42  limitation, each charter school in the district, and for this state

138-43  as a whole; and

138-44        (2) Whether each paraprofessional employed holds a

138-45  certificate issued pursuant to section 88 of this act, reported


139-1  for each school district, including, without limitation, each

139-2  charter school in the district, and for this state as a whole.

139-3     (ee) An identification of appropriations made by the

139-4  Legislature to improve the academic achievement of pupils

139-5  and programs approved by the Legislature to improve the

139-6  academic achievement of pupils.

139-7     2.  A separate reporting for a subgroup of pupils must not

139-8  be made pursuant to this section if the number of pupils in

139-9  that subgroup is insufficient to yield statistically reliable

139-10  information or the results would reveal personally identifiable

139-11  information about an individual pupil. The State Board shall

139-12  prescribe a mechanism for determining the minimum number

139-13  of pupils that must be in a subgroup for that subgroup to yield

139-14  statistically reliable information.

139-15    3.  The annual report of accountability must:

139-16    (a) Comply with 20 U.S.C. § 6311(h)(1) and the

139-17  regulations adopted pursuant thereto;

139-18    (b) Be prepared in a concise manner; and

139-19    (c) Be presented in an understandable and uniform format

139-20  and, to the extent practicable, provided in a language that

139-21  parents can understand.

139-22    4.  On or before August 1 of each year, the State Board

139-23  shall provide for public dissemination of the annual report of

139-24  accountability and submit a copy of the report to the:

139-25    (a) Governor;

139-26    (b) Committee;

139-27    (c) Bureau;

139-28    (d) Board of Regents of the University of Nevada;

139-29    (e) Board of trustees of each school district; and

139-30    (f) Governing body of each charter school.

139-31    5.  As used in this section, “highly qualified” has the

139-32  meaning ascribed to it in 20 U.S.C. § 7801(23).

139-33    Sec. 119.  Section 10 of this act is hereby amended to read as

139-34  follows:

139-35    Sec. 10.  1.  On or before January 1 of each year, the

139-36  Department shall determine whether each public school is

139-37  making adequate yearly progress, as defined by the State

139-38  Board pursuant to section 4 of this act. The determination for

139-39  a public school, including, without limitation, a charter school

139-40  sponsored by the board of trustees of the school district, must

139-41  be made in consultation with the board of trustees of the

139-42  school district in which the public school is located. If a

139-43  charter school is sponsored by the State Board, the

139-44  Department shall make a determination for the charter school


140-1  in consultation with the State Board. On or before January 1

140-2  of each year, the Department shall transmit:

140-3     (a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b), the

140-4  determination made for each public school to the board of

140-5  trustees of the school district in which the public school is

140-6  located.

140-7     (b) To the State Board the determination made for each

140-8  charter school that is sponsored by the State Board.

140-9     2.  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the

140-10  Department shall determine that a public school has failed to

140-11  make adequate yearly progress if any subgroup identified in

140-12  paragraph (d) of subsection 1 of section 4 of this act does not

140-13  satisfy the annual measurable objectives established by the

140-14  State Board pursuant to that section. To comply with 20

140-15  U.S.C. § 6311(b)(2)(I) and the regulations adopted pursuant

140-16  thereto, the State Board shall prescribe by regulation the

140-17  conditions under which a school shall be deemed to have

140-18  made adequate yearly progress even though a subgroup

140-19  identified in paragraph (d) of subsection 1 of section 4 of this

140-20  act did not satisfy the annual measurable objectives of the

140-21  State Board.

140-22    3.  In addition to the provisions of subsection 2, the

140-23  Department shall determine that a public school has failed to

140-24  make adequate yearly progress if:

140-25    (a) The number of pupils enrolled in the school who took

140-26  the examinations administered pursuant to NRS 389.015 [and

140-27  389.550] is less than 95 percent of all pupils enrolled in the

140-28  school who were required to take the examinations; or

140-29    (b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, for each

140-30  subgroup of pupils identified in paragraph (d) of subsection 1

140-31  of section 4 of this act, the number of pupils in the subgroup

140-32  enrolled in the school who took the examinations

140-33  administered pursuant to NRS 389.015 [and 389.550] is less

140-34  than 95 percent of all pupils in that subgroup enrolled in the

140-35  school who were required to take the examinations.

140-36    4.  If the number of pupils in a particular subgroup who

140-37  are enrolled in a public school is insufficient to yield

140-38  statistically reliable information:

140-39    (a) The Department shall not determine that the school

140-40  has failed to make adequate yearly progress pursuant to

140-41  paragraph (b) of subsection 3 based solely upon that

140-42  particular subgroup.

140-43    (b) The pupils in such a subgroup must be included in the

140-44  overall count of pupils enrolled in the school who took the

140-45  examinations.


141-1  The State Board shall prescribe the mechanism for

141-2  determining the number of pupils that must be in a subgroup

141-3  for that subgroup to yield statistically reliable information.

141-4     5.  If an irregularity in testing administration or an

141-5  irregularity in testing security occurs at a school and the

141-6  irregularity invalidates the test scores of pupils, those test

141-7  scores must not be included in the scores of pupils reported

141-8  for the school and the attendance of those pupils must not be

141-9  counted towards the total number of pupils who took the

141-10  examinations, but must be included in the total number of

141-11  pupils who were required to take the examinations. If the

141-12  pupils take an additional administration of the examinations

141-13  during the same school year, the scores of pupils on those

141-14  examinations must not be included in the scores of pupils

141-15  reported for the school.

141-16    6.  As used in this section:

141-17    (a) “Irregularity in testing administration” has the

141-18  meaning ascribed to it in NRS 389.604.

141-19    (b) “Irregularity in testing security” has the meaning

141-20  ascribed to it in NRS 389.608.

141-21    Sec. 120.  Section 11 of this act is hereby amended to read as

141-22  follows:

141-23    Sec. 11.  1.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection

141-24  3, if the number of pupils enrolled in a school who took the

141-25  examinations administered pursuant to NRS 389.015 , [and

141-26  389.550,] excluding the high school proficiency examination,

141-27  is less than 95 percent of all pupils enrolled in the school who

141-28  were required to take the examinations, the Department shall

141-29  notify the school and the school district in which the school is

141-30  located that the school is required to provide, in the same

141-31  school year, for an additional administration of examinations,

141-32  excluding the high school proficiency examination, as

141-33  prescribed by the State Board pursuant to subsection 2.

141-34  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the school

141-35  district shall pay for all costs related to the administration of

141-36  the examinations pursuant to this subsection. If a charter

141-37  school is required to administer examinations pursuant to this

141-38  subsection, the charter school shall pay for all costs related to

141-39  the administration of the examinations to pupils enrolled in

141-40  the charter school.

141-41    2.  The State Board shall prescribe by regulation the

141-42  examinations that a school must administer pursuant to

141-43  subsection 1.

141-44    3.  The Department may, for good cause shown, grant a

141-45  waiver to a school from the requirements of subsection 1.


142-1     Sec. 121.  Section 12 of this act is hereby amended to read as

142-2  follows:

142-3     Sec. 12.  If the Department determines that a public

142-4  school has failed to make adequate yearly progress pursuant

142-5  to subsection 3 of section 10 of this act:

142-6     1.  The Department or its designee shall monitor at the

142-7  school the administration of the examinations that are

142-8  required pursuant to NRS 389.015 [and 389.550] and ensure

142-9  that all eligible pupils who are in attendance on the day of the

142-10  administration of the examinations are given an opportunity

142-11  to take the examinations until the percentage of pupils who

142-12  take the examinations is 95 percent or more of all pupils

142-13  enrolled in the school who are required to take the

142-14  examinations.

142-15    2.  The school is not required to adopt a program of

142-16  remedial study pursuant to NRS 385.389 and is not eligible to

142-17  receive money for remedial programs made available by

142-18  legislative appropriation for the purposes of NRS 385.389.

142-19    Sec. 122.  Section 19 of this act is hereby amended to read as

142-20  follows:

142-21    Sec. 19.  1.  In addition to the duties prescribed in

142-22  section 18 of this act, a support team established for a school

142-23  shall prepare an annual written report that includes:

142-24    (a) Information concerning the most recent plan to

142-25  improve the achievement of the school’s pupils, including,

142-26  without limitation, an evaluation of:

142-27        (1) The appropriateness of the plan for the school; and

142-28        (2) Whether the school has achieved the goals and

142-29  objectives set forth in the plan;

142-30    (b) The written revisions to the plan to improve the

142-31  achievement of the school’s pupils adopted by the support

142-32  team pursuant to section 18 of this act;

142-33    (c) A summary of each program for remediation, if any,

142-34  purchased for the school with money that is available from

142-35  the Federal Government, this state and the school district in

142-36  which the school is located, including, without limitation:

142-37        (1) The name of the program;

142-38        (2) The date on which the program was purchased and

142-39  the date on which the program was carried out by the school;

142-40        (3) The percentage of personnel at the school who

142-41  were trained regarding the use of the program;

142-42        (4) The satisfaction of the personnel at the school with

142-43  the program; and


143-1         (5) An evaluation of whether the program has

143-2  improved the academic achievement of the pupils enrolled in

143-3  the school who participated in the program;

143-4     (d) An analysis of the problems and factors at the school

143-5  which contributed to the designation of the school as

143-6  demonstrating need for improvement, including, without

143-7  limitation, issues relating to:

143-8         (1) The financial resources of the school;

143-9         (2) The administrative and educational personnel of

143-10  the school;

143-11        (3) The curriculum of the school;

143-12        (4) The facilities available at the school, including the

143-13  availability and accessibility of educational technology; and

143-14        (5) Any other factors that the support team believes

143-15  contributed to the designation of the school as demonstrating

143-16  need for improvement; and

143-17    (e) Other information concerning the school, including,

143-18  without limitation:

143-19        (1) The results of the pupils who are enrolled in the

143-20  school on the examinations that are administered pursuant to

143-21  NRS 389.015 ; [and 389.550;]

143-22        (2) Records of the attendance and truancy of pupils

143-23  who are enrolled in the school;

143-24        (3) The transiency rate of pupils who are enrolled in

143-25  the school;

143-26        (4) A description of the number of years that each

143-27  teacher has provided instruction at the school and the rate of

143-28  turnover of teachers and other educational personnel

143-29  employed at the school;

143-30        (5) A description of the participation of parents and

143-31  legal guardians in the educational process and other activities

143-32  relating to the school;

143-33        (6) A description of each source of money for the

143-34  remediation of pupils who are enrolled in the school; and

143-35        (7) A description of the disciplinary problems of the

143-36  pupils who are enrolled in the school, including, without

143-37  limitation, the information contained in paragraphs (k) to (n),

143-38  inclusive, of subsection 2 of NRS 385.347.

143-39    2.  On or before April 15, the support team shall submit a

143-40  copy of the final written report to the:

143-41    (a) Principal of the school;

143-42    (b) Board of trustees of the school district in which the

143-43  school is located;

143-44    (c) Superintendent of schools of the school district in

143-45  which the school is located;


144-1     (d) Department; and

144-2     (e) Bureau.

144-3  The support team shall make the written report available,

144-4  upon request, to each parent or legal guardian of a pupil who

144-5  is enrolled in the school.

144-6     Sec. 123.  Section 30 of this act is hereby amended to read as

144-7  follows:

144-8     Sec. 30.  1.  On or before January 1 of each year, the

144-9  Department shall determine whether each school district is

144-10  making adequate yearly progress, as defined by the State

144-11  Board pursuant to section 4 of this act. If a charter school is

144-12  sponsored by the board of trustees of a school district, the

144-13  pupils who are enrolled in the charter school must be included

144-14  in the determination made for that school district.

144-15    2.  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the

144-16  Department shall determine that a school district has failed to

144-17  make adequate yearly progress if any subgroup of pupils

144-18  identified in paragraph (d) of subsection 1 of section 4 of this

144-19  act who are enrolled in the school district does not satisfy the

144-20  annual measurable objectives established by the State Board

144-21  pursuant to that section. To comply with 20 U.S.C. §

144-22  6311(b)(2)(I) and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto,

144-23  the State Board shall prescribe by regulation the conditions

144-24  under which a school district shall be deemed to have made

144-25  adequate yearly progress even though a subgroup of pupils

144-26  identified in paragraph (d) of subsection 1 of section 4 of this

144-27  act who are enrolled in the school district did not satisfy the

144-28  annual measurable objectives of the State Board.

144-29    3.  In addition to the provisions of subsection 2, the

144-30  Department shall determine that a school district has failed to

144-31  make adequate yearly progress if:

144-32    (a) The number of pupils enrolled in the school district

144-33  who took the examinations administered pursuant to NRS

144-34  389.015 [and 389.550] is less than 95 percent of all pupils

144-35  enrolled in the school district who were required to take the

144-36  examinations; or

144-37    (b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, for each

144-38  subgroup of pupils identified in paragraph (d) of subsection 1

144-39  of section 4 of this act, the number of pupils enrolled in the

144-40  school district who took the examinations administered

144-41  pursuant to NRS 389.015 and 389.550] is less than 95 percent

144-42  of all pupils in the subgroup who were required to take the

144-43  examinations.


145-1     4.  If the number of pupils in a particular subgroup who

145-2  are enrolled in a school district is insufficient to yield

145-3  statistically reliable information:

145-4     (a) The Department shall not determine that the school

145-5  district has failed to make adequate yearly progress pursuant

145-6  to paragraph (b) of subsection 3 based solely upon that

145-7  particular subgroup.

145-8     (b) The pupils in such a subgroup must be included in the

145-9  overall count of pupils enrolled in the school district who

145-10  took the examinations.

145-11  The State Board shall prescribe the mechanism for

145-12  determining the minimum number of pupils that must be in a

145-13  subgroup for that subgroup to yield statistically reliable

145-14  information.

145-15    Sec. 124.  Section 46 of this act is hereby amended to read as

145-16  follows:

145-17    Sec. 46.  A person who is [initially hired] employed by a

145-18  charter school [on or after July 1, 2004,] to perform a duty of

145-19  a paraprofessional, as defined in section 84 of this act, must

145-20  hold a certificate as a paraprofessional issued pursuant to

145-21  section 88 of this act[. For the purposes of this section, a

145-22  person is not “initially hired” if he has been employed as a

145-23  paraprofessional by another school district or charter school

145-24  in this state without an interruption in employment before the

145-25  date of hire by his current employer.]

145-26    Sec. 125.  Section 64 of this act is hereby amended to read as

145-27  follows:

145-28    Sec. 64.  1.  If a pupil with a disability is unable to take

145-29  an examination administered pursuant to NRS 389.015 [or

145-30  389.550] under regular testing conditions, the pupil may take

145-31  the examination with modifications and accommodations that

145-32  the pupil’s individualized education program team

145-33  determines, in consultation with the Department and in

145-34  accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education

145-35  Act, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1400 et seq., and the No Child Left Behind

145-36  Act of 2001, 20 U.S.C. §§ 6301 et seq., are necessary to

145-37  measure the progress of the pupil. If modifications or

145-38  accommodations are made in the administration of an

145-39  examination for a pupil with a disability, the modifications or

145-40  accommodations must be set forth in the pupil’s

145-41  individualized education program. The results of each pupil

145-42  with a disability who takes an examination with modifications

145-43  or accommodations must be reported and must be included in

145-44  the determination of whether the school and the school

145-45  district have made adequate yearly progress.


146-1     2.  The State Board shall prescribe an alternate

146-2  examination for administration to a pupil with a disability if

146-3  the pupil’s individualized education program team

146-4  determines, in consultation with the Department, that the

146-5  pupil cannot participate in all or a portion of an examination

146-6  administered pursuant to NRS 389.015 [or 389.550] even

146-7  with modifications and accommodations. The results of a

146-8  pupil with a disability who takes an alternate examination

146-9  must not be included in the determination of whether the

146-10  school and the school district have made adequate yearly

146-11  progress.

146-12    3.  The State Board shall prescribe, in accordance with

146-13  the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. §§

146-14  1400 et seq., and the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, 20

146-15  U.S.C. §§ 6301 et seq., the modifications and

146-16  accommodations that may be used in the administration of an

146-17  examination to a pupil with a disability who is unable to take

146-18  the examination under regular testing conditions.

146-19    4.  As used in this section:

146-20    (a) “Individualized education program” has the meaning

146-21  ascribed to it in 20 U.S.C. § 1414(d)(1)(A).

146-22    (b) “Individualized education program team” has the

146-23  meaning ascribed to it in 20 U.S.C. § 1414(d)(1)(B).

146-24    Sec. 126.  Section 88 of this act is hereby amended to read as

146-25  follows:

146-26    Sec. 88.  1.  The State Board shall adopt regulations

146-27  prescribing the qualifications for the certification of

146-28  paraprofessionals and the procedures for the issuance and

146-29  renewal of such certificates. The regulations must include the

146-30  causes for suspension and revocation of a certificate and the

146-31  procedures to be carried out if action is taken to suspend or

146-32  revoke a certificate. The State Board shall consider and may

146-33  adopt regulations that provide for the reciprocal certification

146-34  of paraprofessionals from other states.

146-35    2.  An applicant for a certificate as a paraprofessional

146-36  must submit to the State Board proof that he satisfies the

146-37  requirements of the State Board established by regulation

146-38  pursuant to subsection 1 and that he has:

146-39    (a) Completed at least 2 years of study at an institution of

146-40  higher education;

146-41    (b) Obtained an associate’s degree or a higher degree; or

146-42    (c) Passed an examination prescribed by the State Board

146-43  pursuant to this subsection.

146-44  The State Board shall prescribe at least one examination that

146-45  is required of an applicant for a certificate as a


147-1  paraprofessional if the applicant does not qualify for a

147-2  certificate pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b).

147-3     3.  [An application for the issuance of a certificate must

147-4  include the social security number of the applicant.

147-5     4.]  Every applicant for a certificate must submit with his

147-6  application a complete set of his fingerprints and written

147-7  permission authorizing the State Board to forward the

147-8  fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and to the

147-9  Central Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History

147-10  for their reports on the criminal history of the applicant.

147-11    [5.] 4.  A certificate must be issued to an applicant if:

147-12    (a) The State Board determines that the applicant satisfies

147-13  the requirements of this section and the requirements

147-14  prescribed by the State Board pursuant to subsection 1;

147-15    (b) The applicant submits [:

147-16        (1) The] the fee prescribed by section 91 of this act;

147-17  and

147-18        [(2) The statement required by section 90 of this act;

147-19  and]

147-20    (c) The reports on the criminal history of the applicant

147-21  from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Central

147-22  Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History:

147-23        (1) Do not indicate that the applicant has been

147-24  convicted of a felony or any other offense involving moral

147-25  turpitude; or

147-26        (2) Indicate that the applicant has been convicted of a

147-27  felony or an offense involving moral turpitude but the State

147-28  Board determines that the conviction is unrelated to the

147-29  position within the school district or charter school for which

147-30  the applicant applied.

147-31    [6.] 5.  A person who holds a certificate issued pursuant

147-32  to this section must not be considered a licensed teacher or

147-33  other licensed employee of a school district or charter school

147-34  unless he holds a license to teach issued pursuant to

147-35  NRS 391.031.

147-36    Sec. 127.  1.  There is hereby appropriated from the State

147-37  General Fund to the Department of Education the sum of

147-38  $9,950,000 for educational technology.

147-39    2.  The Department of Education shall distribute the money

147-40  appropriated by subsection 1 as follows:

147-41    (a) For the Commission on Educational Technology to grant

147-42  money to local school districts for schools within the school district

147-43  to acquire the minimal level of educational technology that is

147-44  necessary to provide a networked computer for each classroom, as

147-45  recommended by the Commission:


148-1  For the fiscal year 2003-2004$1,250,000

148-2  For the fiscal year 2004-2005$1,250,000

148-3     (b) For the Commission on Educational Technology to provide

148-4  grants to local school districts for the repair, replacement or upgrade

148-5  of computer hardware and software, including, without limitation,

148-6  contracts for maintenance:

148-7  For the fiscal year 2003-2004$2,500,000

148-8  For the fiscal year 2004-2005$2,500,000

148-9     (c) For the Commission on Educational Technology to grant to

148-10  local school districts for hardware, software and contracting services

148-11  to provide or enhance technical support to the school districts:

148-12  For the fiscal year 2003-2004$625,000

148-13  For the fiscal year 2004-2005$625,000

148-14    (d) For the Commission on Educational Technology to grant to

148-15  local school districts for pilot programs that demonstrate best

148-16  practices for the use of educational technology to improve the

148-17  achievement of pupils:

148-18  For the fiscal year 2003-2004$150,000

148-19  For the fiscal year 2004-2005$150,000

148-20    (e) For the Commission on Educational Technology to distribute

148-21  for the KLVX Distance Learning Satellite Service    $400,000

148-22  (f) For the Commission on Educational Technology to grant to

148-23  the Division of State Library and Archives of the Department of

148-24  Cultural Affairs for licenses to allow school libraries access to

148-25  research databases and other on-line resources appropriate for

148-26  pupils............................................... $500,000

148-27    3.  The sums appropriated by paragraphs (a) to (d), inclusive, of

148-28  subsection 2 are available for either fiscal year. Any balance of

148-29  those sums must not be committed for expenditure after June 30,

148-30  2005, and reverts to the State General Fund as soon as all payments

148-31  of money committed have been made.

148-32    4.  Any remaining balance of the appropriation made by

148-33  paragraphs (e) and (f) of subsection 2 must not be committed for

148-34  expenditure after June 30, 2005, and reverts to the State General

148-35  Fund as soon as all payments of money committed have been made.

148-36    Sec. 128.  1.  To receive a grant of money pursuant to section

148-37  127 of this act, a school district must:

148-38    (a) Complete forms provided by the Superintendent of Public

148-39  Instruction.

148-40    (b) Submit a written request to the Commission on Educational

148-41  Technology that identifies the schools within the school district

148-42  which need educational technology and the financial needs of those

148-43  schools to obtain the educational technology.

148-44    (c) Submit a plan to the Commission on Educational

148-45  Technology for the use of educational technology to improve the


149-1  instruction and academic achievement of pupils, based upon the

149-2  most recent version of the plan adopted by the Commission pursuant

149-3  to NRS 388.795 for the use of educational technology in the public

149-4  schools of this state. A school district may, as part of its plan and

149-5  upon approval of the Commission, elect to use refurbished

149-6  computers that do not meet the technical standards established by

149-7  the Commission.

149-8     (d) Submit a plan for evaluation in accordance with guidelines

149-9  submitted by the Commission on Educational Technology that

149-10  includes the effectiveness of the use of educational technology in

149-11  improving the academic achievement of pupils.

149-12    (e) Provide any additional information requested by the

149-13  Commission on Educational Technology.

149-14    2.  The Commission on Educational Technology shall

149-15  determine the amount of money that must be distributed to school

149-16  districts based upon the needs of each school district and the wealth

149-17  of the school district relative to the other school districts in this

149-18  state.

149-19    3.  A school district that receives a grant of money pursuant to

149-20  section 127 of this act shall:

149-21    (a) Account for the money separately; and

149-22    (b) Use the money to supplement, and not replace, the money

149-23  that the school district would otherwise expend for educational

149-24  technology.

149-25    4.  A school district that receives a grant of money pursuant to

149-26  section 127of this act shall not use the money to:

149-27    (a) Settle or arbitrate disputes or negotiate settlements between

149-28  an organization that represents licensed employees of the school

149-29  district and the school district.

149-30    (b) Adjust the schedules of salaries and benefits of the

149-31  employees of the school district.

149-32    5.  On or before January 1, 2005, each school district that

149-33  receives a grant of money pursuant to section 127of this act shall

149-34  submit to the Department of Education and the Commission on

149-35  Educational Technology a written report in the format required by

149-36  the Department. The report must include, without limitation:

149-37    (a) A statement of the amount of money distributed to the school

149-38  district pursuant to section 127of this act;

149-39    (b) A record of the manner in which the money was expended;

149-40    (c) The purposes of each such expenditure; and

149-41    (d) Any other expenditures for similar purposes from other

149-42  money available to the school district.

149-43    6.  On or before February 1, 2005, the Department of Education

149-44  shall submit a written summary to the Governor, the Commission on

149-45  Educational Technology and the Director of the Legislative Counsel


150-1  Bureau for transmission to the 73rd Session of the Nevada

150-2  Legislature. The written summary must include, without limitation:

150-3     (a) The name of each school district that received a grant of

150-4  money pursuant to section 127 of this act; and

150-5     (b) A compilation of the reports submitted to the Department

150-6  pursuant to subsection 5.

150-7     Sec. 129.  1.  There is hereby appropriated from the State

150-8  General Fund to the Legislative Fund created by NRS 218.085 the

150-9  sum of $50,000 for use by the Legislative Bureau of Educational

150-10  Accountability and Program Evaluation to hire a qualified,

150-11  independent consultant to conduct an evaluation of educational

150-12  technology.

150-13    2.  The Legislative Bureau of Educational Accountability and

150-14  Program Evaluation shall, after consulting with the Commission on

150-15  Educational Technology, use the money appropriated by subsection

150-16  1 to hire a qualified, independent consultant to conduct an

150-17  evaluation of the effectiveness of educational technology in

150-18  improving the achievement of pupils, to identify issues relating to

150-19  the implementation of educational technology and to identify best

150-20  practices relating to the use of educational technology to improve

150-21  the achievement of pupils.

150-22    3.  The consultant shall provide to the Legislative Committee

150-23  on Education, upon the request of the Committee, an interim report

150-24  of the progress of the consultant. On or before February 1, 2005, the

150-25  consultant hired pursuant to subsection 2 shall submit a written

150-26  report of the results of his evaluation to the Legislative Bureau of

150-27  Educational Accountability and Program Evaluation. On or before

150-28  February 21, 2005, the Legislative Bureau of Educational

150-29  Accountability and Program Evaluation shall submit a copy of the

150-30  written report and any recommendations for legislation to

150-31  the Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau for transmission to

150-32  the 73rd Session of the Nevada Legislature.

150-33    4.  Any remaining balance of the appropriation made by

150-34  subsection 1 must not be committed for expenditure after June 30,

150-35  2005, and reverts to the State General Fund as soon as all payments

150-36  of money committed have been made.

150-37    Sec. 130.  1.  There is hereby appropriated from the State

150-38  General Fund to the Department of Education the sum of $705,000

150-39  for a pilot program to provide bonuses to experienced

150-40  administrators, exemplary teachers and unlicensed instructional

150-41  support employees who are employed at certain schools that are

150-42  designated as needing improvement. The Department may retain not

150-43  more than $25,000 from the appropriation for the hiring of a

150-44  qualified and independent consultant to assist the Department with


151-1  carrying out the pilot program and conducting the evaluation

151-2  required by subsection 5.

151-3     2.  The Department of Education shall establish a pilot program

151-4  to provide bonuses to experienced administrators, exemplary

151-5  teachers and unlicensed instructional support employees who are

151-6  employed at a school that is designated as needing improvement for

151-7  3 consecutive years or more. The board of trustees of a school

151-8  district may apply to the Department of Education for a school

151-9  within the school district to participate in the pilot program for the

151-10  2004-2005 school year. The Department of Education shall select

151-11  not more than four schools for participation in the pilot program.

151-12    3.  The board of trustees of each school district that includes a

151-13  school that is selected for participation in the program shall, in

151-14  consultation with the Superintendent of Public Instruction, select

151-15  one experienced person to serve as principal of the school and one

151-16  experienced person to serve as vice principal of the school.

151-17    4.  Upon selection of a principal and vice principal pursuant to

151-18  subsection 3, the Department of Education shall distribute from the

151-19  appropriation made by subsection 1 to each school that is selected

151-20  for participation in the program:

151-21    (a) For one experienced principal employed at the school,

151-22  $6,000.

151-23    (b) For one experienced vice principal employed at the school,

151-24  $6,000.

151-25    (c) An amount of money, not to exceed $150,000, for exemplary

151-26  teachers employed at the school to receive a bonus. The principal of

151-27  the school shall select not more than 50 exemplary teachers

151-28  employed at the school to receive a bonus of $3,000 per teacher.

151-29  The amount of a bonus paid to a teacher pursuant to this paragraph

151-30  must not exceed $3,000.

151-31    (d) For experienced instructional support staff employed at the

151-32  school, $8,000. The principal of the school shall select eight

151-33  unlicensed instructional support employees to receive a bonus of

151-34  $1,000 per employee from the distribution. The amount of a bonus

151-35  paid to an employee pursuant to this paragraph must not exceed

151-36  $1,000.

151-37  The bonuses provided pursuant to this subsection must be

151-38  distributed to each employee upon completion of 1 full school year

151-39  of employment. A bonus must not be paid to an employee who does

151-40  not complete a full school year of employment. A school that

151-41  receives a distribution of money on behalf of an employee who does

151-42  not complete 1 full school year of employment at the school shall

151-43  return the money to the Department immediately upon the

151-44  employee’s departure.


152-1     5.  The Department of Education shall evaluate the pilot

152-2  program established pursuant to this section and prepare a written

152-3  report of the evaluation. The evaluation must include, without

152-4  limitation, specific and measurable criteria for determining the

152-5  effect of the pilot program on improving the academic achievement

152-6  of pupils and removing the school from the designation of

152-7  demonstrating need for improvement. On or before February 1,

152-8  2005, the Department shall submit a draft of the written report of the

152-9  evaluation to the Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau for

152-10  transmission to the 73rd Session of the Nevada Legislature. On or

152-11  before June 30, 2005, the Department shall submit the final written

152-12  report of the evaluation to the Legislative Committee on Education.

152-13    6.  Any remaining balance of the appropriation made by

152-14  subsection 1 must not be committed for expenditure after June 30,

152-15  2005, and reverts to the State General Fund as soon as all payments

152-16  of money committed have been made.

152-17    7.  As used in this section, “exemplary teacher” has the

152-18  meaning ascribed to it in 20 U.S.C. § 7801(19).

152-19    Sec. 131.  1.  There is hereby appropriated from the State

152-20  General Fund to the Interim Finance Committee the sum of

152-21  $287,427 to continue the contractual services for a consultant to

152-22  carry out a financial analysis model program in:

152-23    (a) Each school district; and

152-24    (b) The charter schools selected for participation by the Interim

152-25  Finance Committee,

152-26  that is designed to track educational expenditures and revenues to

152-27  individual schools and to provide for uniformity in financial

152-28  reporting among school districts and charter schools.

152-29    2.  The Department of Education, each school district and each

152-30  charter school that is selected for participation by the Interim

152-31  Finance Committee shall provide on or before November 15 of each

152-32  year, such information as is necessary for the consultant to carry out

152-33  his duties pursuant to subsection 1.

152-34    3.  Any remaining balance of the appropriation made by

152-35  subsection 1 must not be committed for expenditure after June 30,

152-36  2005, and reverts to the State General Fund as soon as all payments

152-37  of money committed have been made.

152-38    Sec. 132.  1.  To determine whether public schools and school

152-39  districts have made adequate yearly progress and to designate public

152-40  schools and school districts pursuant to sections 2 to 37, inclusive,

152-41  of this act, the Department of Education shall:

152-42    (a) For the 2003-2004 school year, use the results on the

152-43  examinations administered to pupils in the spring semester of 2003

152-44  pursuant to NRS 389.550 and the results on the examinations


153-1  administered to pupils in the fall semester of 2003 pursuant to

153-2  NRS 389.015.

153-3     (b) For the 2004-2005 school year, use the results on the

153-4  examinations administered to pupils in the spring semester of 2004

153-5  pursuant to NRS 389.550 and the results on the examinations

153-6  administered to pupils in the fall semester of 2004 pursuant to

153-7  NRS 389.015.

153-8     2.  Notwithstanding the provisions of NRS 389.550 to the

153-9  contrary, the examinations required by that section must not be

153-10  administered to pupils in the 2004-2005 school year.

153-11    Sec. 133.  Each designation of a public school as

153-12  demonstrating need for improvement before January 1, 2004, must

153-13  be counted in determining the number of consecutive years that the

153-14  school has carried that designation when the Department of

153-15  Education or the board of trustees of a school district, as applicable,

153-16  designates public schools on January 5, 2004, pursuant to section 14

153-17  of this act.

153-18    Sec. 134.  The high school proficiency examination that

153-19  measures the performance of pupils on the standards of content and

153-20  performance in science must first be administered to pupils enrolled

153-21  in grade 11 in the 2007-2008 school year, who must pass the

153-22  examination before the completion of grade 12 to graduate with a

153-23  standard high school diploma in the 2008-2009 school year.

153-24    Sec. 135.  The Department of Education shall purchase the

153-25  examinations required by section 67 of this act during the 2003-

153-26  2004 school year. The Department shall conduct a pilot program of

153-27  the examinations required by section 67 of this act in the fall

153-28  semester of 2004. The results of those examinations must be used

153-29  solely to gather information and data concerning the examinations.

153-30    Sec. 136.  1.  On or before January 1, 2004, the State Board of

153-31  Education shall:

153-32    (a) Adopt regulations pursuant to section 88 of this act that set

153-33  forth the qualifications for certification as a paraprofessional and

153-34  prescribe the examination for certification. The regulations must

153-35  become effective on a date that will allow paraprofessionals who are

153-36  initially hired on or after July 1, 2004, to obtain a certificate before

153-37  that date, if required by section 46 or 97 of this act.

153-38    (b) Begin accepting applications to ensure that all

153-39  paraprofessionals initially hired on or after July 1, 2004, will have

153-40  the opportunity to obtain a certificate before that date.

153-41    2.  On or before September 1, 2004, the State Board of

153-42  Education shall submit to the Legislative Committee on Education,

153-43  for the review and comment by the Committee, a plan that sets forth

153-44  the manner in which the State Board will ensure that each person

153-45  who is employed by a school district or charter school before July 1,


154-1  2004, to perform a duty of a paraprofessional, as defined in section

154-2  84 of this act, is, on or before January 1, 2006, qualified for

154-3  certification as a paraprofessional pursuant to section 88 of this act.

154-4     3.  After reviewing the plan submitted pursuant to subsection 2,

154-5  the Legislative Committee on Education shall notify the State Board

154-6  of Education of the opinion of the Committee regarding the plan.

154-7     4.  The Legislative Committee on Education may make

154-8  recommendations for appropriate legislation as a result of its review

154-9  of a plan pursuant to this section.

154-10    Sec. 137.  1.  On or before July 1, 2004, the Commission on

154-11  Professional Standards in Education shall adopt regulations pursuant

154-12  to section 94 of this act prescribing the qualifications for a license to

154-13  teach middle school or junior high school education. The regulations

154-14  must:

154-15    (a) Comply with the provisions of 20 U.S.C. § 6319(a) and the

154-16  regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

154-17    (b) Become effective on a date that will allow teachers who are

154-18  initially hired on or after January 1, 2006, to obtain the license

154-19  before that date, if required by section 53 or 97 of this act.

154-20    2.  On or before September 1, 2004, the State Board of

154-21  Education shall prepare and submit, in consultation with the

154-22  Commission on Professional Standards in Education, a plan to the

154-23  Legislative Committee on Education setting forth the manner in

154-24  which the State Board proposes to ensure that all persons who are

154-25  employed by the board of trustees of a school district or the

154-26  governing body of a charter school to teach:

154-27    (a) English, reading or language arts;

154-28    (b) Mathematics;

154-29    (c) Science;

154-30    (d) Foreign language;

154-31    (e) Civics or government;

154-32    (f) Economics;

154-33    (g) Geography;

154-34    (h) History; or

154-35    (i) The arts,

154-36  in grades 7, 8 or 9 to pupils enrolled in a middle school or junior

154-37  high school will possess the qualifications required by 20 U.S.C. §

154-38  6319(a) and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto. The plan must

154-39  include a timeline by which the teachers will attain those

154-40  qualifications.

154-41    3.  After reviewing the plan submitted pursuant to subsection 2,

154-42  the Legislative Committee on Education shall notify the State Board

154-43  of Education of the opinion of the Committee regarding the plan.


155-1     4.  The Legislative Committee on Education may make

155-2  recommendations for appropriate legislation as a result of its review

155-3  of a plan pursuant to this section.

155-4     Sec. 138.  On or before July 1, 2004, the Commission on

155-5  Professional Standards in Education shall review the regulations

155-6  adopted by the Commission governing the qualifications for the

155-7  licensure of teachers and other educational personnel and make such

155-8  revisions to the regulations as are necessary to ensure compliance

155-9  with 20 U.S.C. § 6319(a) and the regulations adopted pursuant

155-10  thereto.

155-11    Sec. 139.  1.  The State Board of Education shall submit a

155-12  draft of the regulations that it proposes to adopt pursuant to sections

155-13  2 to 37, inclusive, of this act to the Legislative Committee on

155-14  Education for the review and comment by the Committee.

155-15    2.  After reviewing a regulation submitted pursuant to

155-16  subsection 1, the Legislative Committee on Education shall notify

155-17  the State Board of Education of the opinion of the Committee

155-18  regarding the advisability of adopting the regulation.

155-19    3.  The Legislative Committee on Education may make

155-20  recommendations for appropriate legislation as a result of its review

155-21  of regulations pursuant to this section.

155-22    Sec. 140.  Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 46 and

155-23  97 of this act to the contrary, if the board of trustees of a school

155-24  district or the governing body of a charter school initially hires a

155-25  paraprofessional, as defined in section 84 of this act, on or after

155-26  January 8, 2002, the board of trustees or the governing body, as

155-27  applicable, shall comply with 20 U.S.C. § 6319(c), if that section is

155-28  applicable to the type of duties for which the paraprofessional is

155-29  hired to perform.

155-30    Sec. 141.  1.  NRS 385.351, 385.356, 385.363, 385.364,

155-31  385.365, 385.367, 385.368, 385.369, 385.371, 385.373, 385.375,

155-32  385.378, 385.381, 385.383 and 385.386 are hereby repealed.

155-33    2.  NRS 389.550, 389.560 and 389.570 are hereby repealed.

155-34    3.  Sections 38 and 39 of chapter 13, Statutes of Nevada 2001

155-35  Special Session, at page 190, are hereby repealed.

155-36    Sec. 142.  1.  This section and sections 1 to 5, inclusive, 10,

155-37  30, 31, 32, 36, 37, 38, 40, 41, 44, 45, 46, 47, 53 to 60, inclusive, 62

155-38  to 66, inclusive, 69, 72, 82, 83, 84, 86, 87, 91, 93, 101 to 105,

155-39  inclusive, 108 to 111, inclusive, 113, 114, 115, 127 to 140,

155-40  inclusive, and subsection 3 of section 141 of this act become

155-41  effective on July 1, 2003.

155-42    2.  Section 88 of this act becomes effective on July 1, 2003, for

155-43  the purpose of adopting regulations and on January 1, 2004, for all

155-44  other purposes.


156-1     3.  Section 94 of this act becomes effective on July 1, 2003, and

156-2  expires by limitation on June 30, 2005.

156-3     4.  Subsection 1 of section 141 of this act becomes effective on

156-4  December 31, 2003.

156-5     5.  Sections 6 to 9, inclusive, 11 to 29, inclusive, 33, 34, 35, 39,

156-6  43, 48, 49, 50, 52, 89, 97, 99, 100, 106 and 112 of this act become

156-7  effective on January 1, 2004.

156-8     6.  Sections 90 and 92 of this act become effective on

156-9  January 1, 2004, and expire by limitation on the date on which the

156-10  provisions of 42 U.S.C. § 666 requiring each state to establish

156-11  procedures under which the state has authority to withhold or

156-12  suspend, or to restrict the use of, professional, occupational and

156-13  recreational licenses of persons who:

156-14    (a) Have failed to comply with a subpoena or warrant relating to

156-15  a proceeding to determine the paternity of a child or to establish or

156-16  enforce an obligation for the support of a child; or

156-17    (b) Are in arrears in the payment of support of one or more

156-18  children,

156-19  are repealed by the Congress of the United States.

156-20    7.  Sections 85 and 96 of this act become effective on July 1,

156-21  2004.

156-22    8.  Sections 42, 51, 61, 67, 70, 71, 73 to 81, inclusive, 107, 116

156-23  to 123, inclusive, 125 and subsection 2 of section 141 of this act

156-24  become effective on July 1, 2005.

156-25    9.  Section 95 of this act becomes effective at 12:01 a.m. on

156-26  July 1, 2005.

156-27    10.  Sections 98 and 124 of this act become effective on

156-28  January 1, 2006.

156-29    11.  Section 68 of this act becomes effective on July 1, 2007.

156-30    12.  Section 126 of this act becomes effective on the date on

156-31  which the provisions of 42 U.S.C. § 666 requiring each state to

156-32  establish procedures under which the state has authority to withhold

156-33  or suspend, or to restrict the use of, professional, occupational and

156-34  recreational licenses of persons who:

156-35    (a) Have failed to comply with a subpoena or warrant relating to

156-36  a procedure to determine the paternity of a child or to establish or

156-37  enforce an obligation for the support of a child; or

156-38    (b) Are in arrears in the payment for the support of one or more

156-39  children,

156-40  are repealed by the Congress of the United States.


 

 

157-1  LEADLINES OF REPEALED SECTIONS OF NRS AND

157-2  TEXT OF REPEALED SECTIONS OF STATUTES OF NEVADA

 

 

157-3     385.351  Submission of accountability reports; preparation

157-4   of additional report; preparation of procedure to improve

157-5   achievement; inclusion of reports and procedure in final

157-6   budget; maintenance of information by Department.

157-7     385.356  Maintenance of records by Department.

157-8     385.363  Annual evaluation and designation of schools by

157-9   Department; conditions under which Department will not make

157-10   designation.

157-11    385.364  Exemption from designation if insufficient number

157-12   of pupils take examinations; duty of school district.

157-13    385.365  Designations: Demonstrating exemplary, high or

157-14   adequate achievement.

157-15    385.367  Designations: Demonstrating need for

157-16   improvement; ineligibility for certain money for remedial

157-17   programs under certain circumstances.

157-18    385.368  Designations: Demonstrating need for

157-19   improvement if school is exempt from initial designation;

157-20   ineligibility for certain money for remedial programs under

157-21   certain circumstances.

157-22    385.369  Written notice of designations given and reasons

157-23   for nondesignation.

157-24    385.371  Designation as demonstrating need for

157-25   improvement: Preparation and submission of plan by board of

157-26   trustees.

157-27    385.373  Designation as demonstrating need for

157-28   improvement: Academic probation; preparation and

157-29   submission of plan by Department.

157-30    385.375  Designation as demonstrating need for

157-31   improvement: Continuation of academic probation;

157-32   preparation and submission of plan by Department; submission

157-33   of reports by trustees.

157-34    385.378  Designation as demonstrating need for

157-35   improvement: Appointment of panel to supervise academic

157-36   probation of school; waiver from establishment of panel.

157-37    385.381  Powers and duties of panel to supervise academic

157-38   probation; preparation and submission of written report by

157-39   panel; written response by school district; follow-up report by

157-40   board of trustees; duties of Department.


158-1     385.383  Additional duties of panel to supervise academic

158-2  probation if school does not improve achievement.

158-3     385.386  Appointment of administrator to oversee school

158-4   demonstrating need for improvement; powers and duties of

158-5   administrator; reports by trustees after termination of

158-6   administrator.

158-7     389.550  Administration of examinations that measure

158-8   achievement in standards.

158-9     389.560  Reporting of results of examinations; reporting

158-10   and reconciliation of number of pupils taking examinations;

158-11   exemption for certain pupils.

158-12    389.570  Council required to review and evaluate results of

158-13   examinations; report of evaluation.

 

158-14    Section 38 of chapter 13, Statutes of Nevada 2001 Special

158-15   Session:

158-16    Sec. 38.  Commencing in the 2003-2004 school year, the

158-17   high school proficiency examination that, pursuant to NRS

158-18   389.015, pupils must pass to receive a standard high school

158-19   diploma must measure the performance of pupils on the

158-20   standards of content and performance in science established

158-21   by the council to establish academic standards for public

158-22   schools pursuant to NRS 389.520 and adopted by the state

158-23   board of education. The high school proficiency examination

158-24   that measures the performance of pupils in the standards of

158-25   content and performance in science established by the

158-26   council to establish academic standards for public schools

158-27   must first be administered to pupils enrolled in grade 11 in

158-28   the 2003-2004 school year, who must pass the examination

158-29   before the completion of grade 12 to graduate with a

158-30   standard high school diploma in the 2004-2005 school year.

158-31   Pupils who graduate in the 2003-2004 school year are not

158-32   required to pass the examination that measures the

158-33   performance of pupils on the standards in science established

158-34   by the council to establish academic standards for public

158-35   schools, but must pass the examination that is administered

158-36   to pupils in the immediately preceding school year.

 

158-37    Section 39 of chapter 13, Statutes of Nevada 2001 Special

158-38   Session:

158-39    Sec. 39.  Notwithstanding the provisions of NRS

158-40   389.015 to the contrary, the board of trustees of a school

158-41   district and the governing body of a charter school shall, for

158-42   the 2002-2003 school year, administer the norm-referenced

158-43   examinations on reading, mathematics and science that are


159-1  otherwise required to be administered to pupils who are

159-2  enrolled in grade 8 to pupils who are enrolled in grade 7,

159-3   rather than to pupils who are enrolled in grade 8. In addition,

159-4   the results of the examinations administered to pupils

159-5   enrolled in grade 7 must be reported as the results of the

159-6   examinations are otherwise reported pursuant to NRS

159-7   385.347 and 389.017.

 

159-8  H