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Education Policy

Policy Issues in Nevada Education: Policy Papers

2021

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Full-Text Articles in Education

Prepping For Another Recession: Re-Assessing The Validity Of Teacher Evaluation Systems For Human Capital Decision-Making, Bradley D. Marianno, Adam Kho, Tiberio Garza, Jonathan Hilpert Jan 2021

Prepping For Another Recession: Re-Assessing The Validity Of Teacher Evaluation Systems For Human Capital Decision-Making, Bradley D. Marianno, Adam Kho, Tiberio Garza, Jonathan Hilpert

Policy Issues in Nevada Education: Policy Papers

Problem. The school budget cuts concomitant with the COVID-19 pandemic mean educator jobs may again be threatened by layoffs. During prior recessions, school district administration primarily deter- mined teacher layoffs by virtue of seniority. However, as new evidence emerges that seniority policies may not be the most equitable way to determine teacher layoffs, some have turned towards performance-based measures from evaluation systems. Purpose. The purpose of this paper is to examine the validity and reli- ability of the Nevada Educator Performance Framework (NEPF) for making human capital decisions like layoffs. Recommendations. We recommend that Nevada and other states improve the …


Challenges And Opportunities For Virtual Teaching In Nevada, Linda F. Quinn, Lois B. Paretti Jan 2021

Challenges And Opportunities For Virtual Teaching In Nevada, Linda F. Quinn, Lois B. Paretti

Policy Issues in Nevada Education: Policy Papers

Problem. School closures in Nevada due to the COVID-19 pandemic created an unprecedented chal- lenge to schools, districts, teachers, parents and students. The rapid switch to virtual teaching left many students unaccounted for and teachers unprepared for teaching virtually. Therefore, there exists a need for advanced planning to assure education in Nevada continues at a high level, whether through on-prem- ise learning in schools or through remote teaching. Purpose. This policy paper discusses ways virtual teaching requires adaptations to teacher professional development, access to technology, and teacher preparation. Ways to improve the viability of virtual teaching to enhance student achievement, …


The Covid-19 Pandemic And Its Implications For Nevada’S Future Workforce, Stefani R. Relles, Mark L. Spinrad Jan 2021

The Covid-19 Pandemic And Its Implications For Nevada’S Future Workforce, Stefani R. Relles, Mark L. Spinrad

Policy Issues in Nevada Education: Policy Papers

Problem. Nevada’s capacity for economic recovery in the pandemic’s wake has been jeopardized by COVID-related educational impacts. The diversity of Nevada’s student population and inequitable rates of college participation and degree attainment infer imminent skilled labor shortages. Purpose. Based on the assumptions of prior research, the authors suggest a multi-tiered strategy of policy triage to address workforce pipeline erosion at its weakest juncture, when students transition from high school to college. Recommendations. The paper outlines short-term and long-term policy options that target students and institutions. During school closures, nudge interventions are a low-cost option that sends text messages to remind …


Eliminating Exclusionary Practices In Early Childhood Education In Nevada, Melissa Beck Yarczower, Jenna Weglarz-Ward, Claire T. Tredwell Jan 2021

Eliminating Exclusionary Practices In Early Childhood Education In Nevada, Melissa Beck Yarczower, Jenna Weglarz-Ward, Claire T. Tredwell

Policy Issues in Nevada Education: Policy Papers

Problem. Many young children under 5 years old spend a significant part of their days in early childhood settings which provide them access to environments and activities that foster their learning. Unfortunate- ly, in many of these early childhood settings, young children are expelled and suspended at a rate that is three times the rate of students in a K-12 setting leading to detrimental, long-term outcomes for young children, families, and the community. Purpose. This paper gives an overview of exclusionary practices in early childhood, discusses causes and consequences of these practices, and provides recommendations to eliminate exclusionary practices in …