EDITORIAL: Making the grade

Nevada's education system has been getting lots of national attention thanks to its new Education Savings Accounts. But good news is coming from other fronts.

First, National Journal on Sunday ranked and graded states based on how their graduation rates changed between 2011 and 2013. Nevada, which has long had the country's worst graduation rate, got an A for showing the greatest improvement, from 62 percent to 71 percent, close to the national average. The big reason for that improvement: lifting achievement among Hispanic students.

Second, Newsweek on Wednesday released its list of the top 500 high schools in the United States, based on achievement, college readiness and the performance of students from low-income households. Four Las Vegas-area high schools made the list: College of Southern Nevada High School West at No. 133; Advanced Technologies Academy at No. 179; College of Southern Nevada High School East at No. 300; and West Career and Technical Academy at No. 494. All are public magnet programs, and all have graduation rates of 99 percent or 100 percent.

Nevada's schools have a long way to go, but the state is clearly on its way to a better-performing education system — and ridding itself of the lingering national perception that Nevada's schools are the worst of the worst. Thanks and congratulations to everyone whose hard work is creating this good news.