School bills: Some head to governor, others await legislative action

CARSON CITY — Much of Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval’s sweeping education agenda overcame key legislative hurdles on Saturday, as lawmakers passed bills aimed at poor-performing schools, boosting academic performance, and giving incentives to educators.

Here are some of the measures that won final approval from the Legislature and were sent to Sandoval for his signature:

— Read by Three: Senate Bill 391 is aimed at boosting students’ reading ability. Under the bill, third-grade students cannot move on to fourth grade if they are still deficient, unless the superintendent or school board grants an exception. The bill also calls for training for teachers, plans to improve student improvement and grants for literacy programs. It has a $27 million cost. The Senate agreed with changes the Assembly made, and it passed both chambers.

—Professional development: Senate Bill 474 establishes the Great Teaching and Learning Fund. The $16.3 million effort is aimed at recruiting new teachers and professional development and leadership programs to support and retain them. The Senate agreed with changes that the Assembly made to the bill, and both chambers have approved it.

—Achievement School District: The Senate voted 11-8 to pass Assembly Bill 448, which authorizes the state Department of Education to take over underperforming schools and put them into the state’s Achievement School District. Under this last resort for failing schools, the state will identify and list public schools with unsatisfactory student achievement. Schools picked will become achievement charter schools. Those schools could remain in the Achievement School District, seek to become a charter school outside the state-overseen district, or convert back to a traditional public school if they show improvement.

—Charter school management: The Assembly voted 40-1 to pass Senate Bill 491, which will give a matching grant to nonprofit organizations to recruit charter school leaders and management organizations. The $10 million Charter School Harbor Master fund requires matching funds from the nonprofits.

Other measures still face more action in the Legislature. They include:

—Victory Schools: Senate Bill 432 would put nearly $50 million toward schools in high-poverty areas that the state designates as Victory Schools. The state Department of Education would pick about 35 schools. Schools could use the money toward a variety of programs such as prekindergarten, a summer academy, professional development, or social and health services. The bill still needs final approval in the Senate, following amendments made in the Assembly.

—Incentives for new teachers: Senate Bill 511 would start a $15 million program to give scholarships to college students preparing to teach in Nevada public schools and a $5,000 annual incentive during each of the two years a beginning teacher works in disadvantaged schools. It has passed the Senate and still needs approval from the Assembly.

Contact Ben Botkin at bbotkin@reviewjournal.com. Find him on Twitter: @BenBotkin1.