One-time Clark County School District board member Danielle Ford is challenging incumbent René Cantú for a seat on the Nevada State Board of Education.
The learning environment for Nevada’s school children is largely driven by policies and regulations determined or approved by the Nevada State Board of Education — including graduation requirements, teacher performance evaluations, and school star ratings.
If you’re unfamiliar with the state board and its duties, you’re not alone. Since it was restructured by the Nevada Legislature nearly a decade ago, the nonpartisan board has largely flown under the radar. But its policies and the direction it gives to districts can affect schools and students across the state.
Eleven people sit on the Nevada State Board of Education. Four are elected by voters — one from each congressional district. The other seven are appointed by the governor or various public bodies.
Nevada law requires the Board to develop a 5-year strategic plan to improve the achievement of students enrolled in public schools across Nevada. Part of those plans include setting standards for how schools and educators are evaluated, and establishing graduation requirements, including the number of credits needed or the types of diplomas offered by the state.