Nevada’s State Highlights

Summary of Grades

Nevada scores below average in two of the four graded policy categories in Quality Counts.

The state performs at the national average for policies related to standards and accountability. The American Federation of Teachers has rated the state’s standards in the four core subjects as clear, specific, and grounded in content at nearly all grade spans. The exceptions are elementary-level standards in science and social studies. The state also falters on some of the school accountability indicators. For example, it does not sanction all low-performing schools or reward high-performing or improving schools.

In teacher quality, Nevada posts a below-average grade. But it earns full credit for indicators that capture state efforts to hold schools and teacher-preparation programs accountable for teacher quality. For example, state policy limits out-of-field teaching.

Nevada outscores only a handful of states in school climate. This is due in part to its poor showing on indicators related to school size and school facilities. Compared to the average state, a much lower percentage of students in Nevada attend smaller schools. In addition, Nevada does not provide funding for school construction.

Nevada ranks first in the nation for resource equity. Its score on the wealth-neutrality measure indicates that its poorer districts tend to have higher per-pupil funding levels than wealthier districts do. Nevada is one of only 10 states in which this pattern is found.

Note: Details may not sum to totals due to rounding.