PUBLIC EDUCATION, THE GREAT EQUALIZER
Public education is the great equalizer, and Nevada made significant efforts in recent years to increase education equity. Unfortunately, the move to distance learning heightened inequities, especially for students with individual education plans, English learners, and at-risk students.
There is no replacing in-person/one-on-one teacher-student instruction, especially with shortcomings of distance learning in reaching all students. Nevada needs to keep focused on improving education equity, which means continued investment in special education and models that work for English learners and at-risk students, like Zoom and Victory schools. Meanwhile, during a pandemic that has resulted in such disruption, successful reopening of our public schools must include meeting the social and emotional needs of our students and educators.
The institution of public education that we are protecting is fundamentally about equity—giving opportunity and leveling the playing field for all students in the state.
NSEA has been a strong supporter of the state’s Zoom School and Victory School programs, providing additional resources to schools in Nevada’s poorest communities, with large concentrations of English language learners and low-income and at-risk students.
