In 2024, Nevada was ranked 48th in the nation for public school overall rankings. At the same time, Nevada’s student success ranking was 45th. Our state continues to be in the bottom fifth of education even though Nevada’s legislature continues to throw money at the problem. These additional funds do not come with any solutions that will improve student scores. The money seems to benefit the adults in education more than students.

Nevada Policy has identified a number of reforms as ways to improve student performance without increasing per-pupil spending. Some can be implemented right away to start making an impact. These ideas focus on structural changes, accountability, and choice to drive better outcomes for Nevada’s students.

Our Reform Ideas For Better Student Outcomes

Lack of funding is consistently mentioned as a big contributor to Nevada’s education challeneges. The per-pupil funding in Nevada is $4,000 less than the national average. Despite a funding increase of $2.6 Billion education funding increase, Nevada student scores have not improved.

Nevada Policy has developed a framework of 30 reform ideas that focus on improving student outcomes without spending more money. One such way would be an expansion in the state’s Opportunity Scholarship program. Those scholarships cost much less than the per-pupil amount spent by Nevada’s public school system. And each scholarship given translates into an increase in per-pupil funding for the students who remain in the public school system. 

Reform Ideas That Can Happen Now

Rather than taxing and spending its way to fund improved education scores, we can use what we have right now to make positive changes. Some of these ideas, such as alternative teacher certification and leveraging technology in the classroom, can easily be implemented to start helping Nevada’s K-12 population.

Another reform focused on results would be expanding school choice. These programs and policies let Nevada families use public money to access schools beyond their local public school option. Underperforming schools would lose students (and funding) unless they do something to improve academics. Loss of funding would fuel change.

Success Leaves Clues

We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. These reforms have been successful in other states. It CAN be done. Opponents of school choice claim that it harms education. Keep in mind that the usual naysayers are the ones who stand to gain from maintaining the status quo of the public school system. They insist that further increasing Nevada’s per-pupil spending is the only way to improve performance. The state of Florida has shown that this is not true.

Florida has the most expansive school choice program in the nation. This has helped Florida to rise from 11th to the 4th highest K-12 achievement ranking in the country. School choice has helped, and there is a large body of academic literature that finds school choice not only improves academic performance but there is an increase in civic engagement and parental satisfaction as well.

You Can Make a Difference 

Want to make a difference in the lives of other Nevadans? Visit Nevada Policy’s Action Center and join other Nevadans voicing their concerns to elected officials. Your voice CAN make a difference. Voice your support for education reforms that focus on innovation and accountability rather than simply allocating more money to schools.