Plus: Clark County School District to pay $36K in legal fees related to public records battle, and free meals for Washoe County students on spring break. Good morning, and welcome to the Indy Education newsletter. I’m Rocio Hernandez, The Nevada Independent’s K-12 education reporter. This newsletter provides a recap of the latest education stories and highlights interesting educators, students,… [Read More]
More than a third of Nevada students chronically absent, continuing pandemic-era trend
Officials say the pandemic prompted student disengagement that schools are still reeling from. They favor strategies that incentivize, not discipline, students. Ignacio Prado has noticed a change at Futuro Academy in East Las Vegas ever since the pandemic: More parents are keeping their kids at home if they are sick. It’s a factor that Prado,… [Read More]
Pandemic ‘survival mode’ complicates students’ pathways to graduation
Flowers and balloons decorated a makeshift stage on Virginia City High School’s football field, where cap and gown-clad students collected their diplomas last May. The sunny day came on the heels of a late snowstorm that threatened the outdoor ceremony, a pandemic-era plan to keep everyone safe. The moment brought hugs and tears for students,… [Read More]
Schools ramp up suicide prevention efforts as another academic year affected by the coronavirus begins
Like many teachers, Adam Gent is looking forward to seeing his students in person this school year. Gent teaches physical education at Spring Valley High School in Las Vegas. He also runs the school’s Hope Squad, a peer-to-peer program that trains students to keep an eye on at-risk classmates, catch suicide warning signs and seek… [Read More]
Board of Health votes to mandate COVID vaccine for Nevada college students
The state Board of Health voted unanimously in an emergency meeting Friday to require the COVID-19 vaccine for students enrolling in Nevada’s public colleges and universities this spring, adding the state’s seven degree-granting schools to the more than 740 nationwide that have implemented similar requirements. Amending an existing regulation that requires certain vaccines for enrollment, the new mandate will… [Read More]
Meet Juliana Urtubey, Nevada’s First Latina to be named National Teacher of the Year
Juliana Urtubey, a bilingual special education teacher in Las Vegas, received widespread attention last month after she was named the National Teacher of the Year — becoming the first teacher from Nevada and the first Latina in at least the last 16 years to receive the award. Having immigrated to the U.S. from Colombia at age five and being an English and Spanish speaker, Urtubey says her personal… [Read More]
Lawmakers advance mining tax deal in Nevada
State lawmakers voted Monday to advance a major mining tax package that will allocate a combined $500 million to public education through new and extended mining taxes and federal COVID relief dollars — pushing the compromise package through the legislative process quickly on the final day of session. The Assembly vote on AB495 was 28-14, with all… [Read More]
Efforts continue to expand undocumented student access to Silver State Opportunity Grant
Allowing undocumented Nevada students to apply for the need-based Silver State Opportunity Grant without filling out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form, which requires a Social Security number, would cost about $250,000 annually, officials told lawmakers on Thursday. Attending college can be particularly burdensome for students without legal status, who are ineligible… [Read More]
NSHE announces draft plans to mandate COVID vaccinations for students
The Nevada System of Higher Education announced late Thursday that it was in the process of drafting a mandate for COVID-19 vaccinations for students returning to college campuses this fall “with some limited exceptions.” NSHE’s surprise announcement follows a string of decisions to mandate coronavirus vaccinations at colleges and universities across the country. That includes the… [Read More]
What it’s like to be an international student in a pandemic
Before the pandemic, the United States was welcoming more than a million international students each year. However, the pandemic along with an increase in the number of student visa delays, and a difficult political environment has caused a historic decline nationally. Noticiero Móvil’s María Palma spoke with several international students from the University of Nevada, Reno… [Read More]