Nevadans for Quality Education believes that high quality education for all students must be the state's priority since it is the framework for a sound and prosperous community. The state of Nevada is constitutionally mandated to provide a public education for all of Nevada's children so we must look to our legislative representatives to fully support a quality education.
It is NQE's goal to ensure academic achievement for all of Nevada's students so Nevadans for Quality Education has established the following priorities for the 2009 legislative session:
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Funding © No part of this document may be copied without permission
NQE supports legislation that places improved funding for K-12 education as a top priority. Financial resources should be distributed equitably and be substantial enough to demonstrate an investment in quality education in Nevada. We support the following:
- Dependable, sustainable and sufficient revenue sources for the Distributive School Account (DSA)
- Full funding for all existing and future state mandates
- Additional resources to meet the rising expectations of state and federal standards and accountability
- Transparency for parents and taxpayers to better understand education funding
- DSA "rainy day" fund instead of reversion to the General Fund
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Quality Teaching and Learning
NQE supports legislative efforts that enhance the ability of students to be successful. NQE advocates for and advances teaching and learning that promote high standards for students and teachers. Quality learning for students cannot exist without quality teaching and support. We support the following: ©
- Pay for Performance Programs
- State Standards for Teachers and Students
- State and National Certification
- Teacher Evaluation and Accountability
- Student Assessment and Academic Accountability
- Recruitment and Retention of Quality Teachers
- Professional Development and Work-Related Training
- School Curriculum Alignment
- Teacher and Student Bill of Rights
- Mentoring, Peer Assistance, and Peer Review
- Lengthening of School Day/School Year
- Class Size Reduction
- Bilingual Education and Immersion
- Career and Technical Education
- Full Day Kindergarten
- Alternative Pathways to Graduation
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Opposition
NQE opposes any efforts to:
- Fund non-public schools through tuition tax credits, vouchers, or other methods
- Divert state funds from the public schools by any means including tuition tax credits/vouchers
- Mandate universal open enrollment of students
- Mandate programs without appropriating the necessary funds to implement and sustain the programs
- Impose tax freezes, limits, or breaks that will negatively affect K-12 education funding
- Constrain the power and authority of local school boards
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Ratified by members September 15, 2008
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