Quality of Life Indicators

educational infrastructure to meet community needs data

educational funding adequacy -- updated 6/17/10
use of technology for learning--updated 6/17/10
special needs education opportunities--updated 6/16/10

educational funding adequacy -- updated 6/17/10

According to Washoe Ready for Life (convened by the Nevada Public Education Foundation), In 2008, more than 19,500 students dropped out of Nevada’s high schools; the lost lifetime earnings total more than $5.1 billion.  Because high school dropouts are likely to stay in the region, taking lower skill and lower paying jobs, northern Nevada businesses also pay the price of training basic job skills.  In the long run, all taxpayers loose unless our education system is adequately funded to ensure student success throughout their lives.  Supporting quality education with tax dollars is critical unless alternative funding sources are tapped.  And although quality education isn’t guaranteed through state funding, the fact remains that there’s no such thing as free education.  According to Education Week’s State Facts at a Glance, Nevada’s quality counts state grade is a D+, which isn’t surprising since the state ranks last in the nation for school funding support.

According to the iNVest ‘07 Report, educators and legislators agree on the importance of preparing a highly educated workforce, but many of Nevada’s 430,000 plus students face obstacles to academic achievement. Nevada continues to hover among the lowest four states in the nation in education funding, as does our student achievement. Critical programs that will help our students improve academically must be funded and implemented if education in Nevada is to improve.  Compared to the 11 western states, Nevada ranks last in high school graduation rate, chance for college, and state tax funds per $1,000 of personal income, according to the NSHE, Instutional Analysis & Planning, April 2009.

iNVest is based on three tenets, all designed to improve student achievement:

1. Districts must have adequate basic support;
2. Districts must have the capacity to attract and retain a quality work force; and
3. Districts must have the means to increase instructional time and expand educational opportunities.

use of technology for learning--updated 6/17/10

Computers and high-speed Internet access are a necessary part of educational infrastructure in addition to textbooks, quality teachers, and other instructional support.  As less resources are available for educational infrastructure within Washoe County, WCSD continues to lag behind the state percentage of classroom instructional computers with Internet access.

special needs education opportunities--updated 6/16/10

The WCSD is required by law to provide education for special needs students. Student Support Services’ mission is to provide the support needed to ensure the educational, intellectual, social/emotional, and vocational development of students with disabilities to enable them to participate in, and be productive members of, society.  WCSD special education services

By law, the Washoe County School District (WCSD) must accept all students, regardless of the capacity of the schools. The school district has used year-round school schedules and rezoning to accommodate growth. Total enrollment has averaged around 3% for the last several years. While 24 new schools have opened since 1990, overcrowding is a problem, especially at the middle school level.  The 2005 WSCD enrollment projections study identified growth projections slowing somewhat, but estimated total enrollment in 2011 at 74,077 students. WCSD enrollment projections