Existing law creates the Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education and requires the Commission to develop a statewide vision and implementation plan to improve the public education system in this State. (NRS 385.910, 385.920) Section 1 of this bill creates the Subcommittee on Metrics of the Commission and requires the Subcommittee to develop, in collaboration with the Department of Education, metrics for local educational agencies and schools to measure the progress and success of pupils, schools and school districts. Section 2 of this bill makes a conforming change to apply the definition of the term “Commission,” which is applicable to provisions governing the Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education, to the provisions of section 1. Section 2.5 of this bill revises the membership of the Commission by adding: (1) the deans of the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Nevada, Reno, and the College of Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas; and (2) the dean of the School of Education at Nevada State University. Section 24 of this bill makes an appropriation of $68,910 for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 and $68,910 for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 for a staff position to oversee the implementation of recommendations made by the Commission. Section 26 of this bill makes an appropriation of $25,000 for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 and $25,000 for the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 for the travel expenses of the members of the Commission and Subcommittee. Existing law requires the Department to establish a pilot program to provide competency-based education. (NRS 389.210) Existing law defines “competency-based education” as a system of instruction by which a pupil advances to a higher level of learning when the pupil demonstrates mastery of a concept or skill, regardless of the time, place or pace at which the pupil progresses. (NRS 389.200) Section 6 of this bill changes the term “competency-based education” to “personalized, competency-based learning,” and revises the definition for that term. Section 4.3 of this bill authorizes the board of trustees of a school district, the governing body of a charter school or university school for profoundly gifted pupils, a committee to form a charter school or a charter management organization to apply to the Department to provide a program of personalized, competency-based learning and prescribes requirements for the application process. Section 4.4 of this bill requires the board of trustees of a school district or the governing body of a charter school or university school for profoundly gifted pupils to ensure that the program is run in a manner that complies with any applicable statutes, regulations or rules or policies of the school district, charter school or university school. Section 4.5 of this bill authorizes a program of personalized, competency-based learning to be provided on an alternative schedule. Section 4.6 of this bill requires the State Board of Education to adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of sections 4.3, 4.4 and 4.5. Section 4.2 of this bill requires the Department, not later than July 1, 2040, and at least once every 5 years thereafter, to review and, as necessary, revise its Portrait of a Nevada Learner to align with the educational needs of this State. Existing law requires the boards of trustees of school districts to schedule and provide a minimum of 180 days of free school in the districts under their charge. (NRS 388.090) Existing law authorizes the Superintendent of Public Instruction to authorize a school district to provide a program of instruction based on an alternative schedule, including a schedule which involves the reduction of not more than 15 school days to provide a 12-month school program. (NRS 388.090) Section 3 of this bill eliminates provisions authorizing the reduction of up to 15 school days to provide for a 12-month school program and instead generally authorizes an alternative schedule for a school to involve a reduction in the number of school days. Existing law requires the State Board of Education to establish a course of study in occupational guidance and counseling and requires such instruction to be made available for pupils in grades 7-12. Existing law requires the board of trustees in each school district to organize and offer the curriculum within the limits of money made available for that purpose. (NRS 389.041) Section 5 of this bill authorizes a local educational agency to develop, maintain and publish on its Internet website recommendations for educational materials and information regarding career exploration suitable for pupils in grades 1-5. Existing law creates the Board of Economic Development, which, among other duties, is required to make recommendations to the Executive Director of the Office of Economic Development relating to the criteria to be used by the Office in providing development resources and making allocations, grants and loans. (NRS 231.033, 231.037) Existing law additionally requires the Board to review and evaluate all programs of economic development in this State and make recommendations to the Legislature for legislation. (NRS 231.037) Section 9 of this bill further requires such recommendations to include recommendations to provide incentives for businesses, including small businesses, to provide opportunities for career exploration to pupils enrolled in public high schools in this State. Section 9 additionally requires the Board to review and make recommendations to the Department regarding technologies to facilitate the exploration by pupils of careers in industries in this State. Existing law authorizes the Office to approve transferable tax credits and abatements or partial abatements of certain property taxes, business taxes and sales and use taxes for certain businesses in certain circumstances. The Office is prohibited from approving an application for such credits or abatements unless the applicant satisfies certain criteria. (NRS 231.1555, 274.310, 274.320, 274.330, 360.750, 360.753, 360.754, 360.759, 360.889, 360.945) Sections 10-23 of this bill authorize the Office to require an applicant for transferable tax credits or a tax abatement to enter into an agreement with the Office that includes a plan by the applicant to provide work-based learning opportunities to pupils enrolled in public high schools in this State. Section 8.5 of this bill requires the Department to adopt a definition of “work-based learning opportunity” for the purpose of such agreements. Section 25 of this bill appropriates $2,250,000 to the Department to enter into a contract with a qualified entity to provide professional development regarding personalized, competency-based learning programs and assist the Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education in developing recommendations and the Department in implementing such recommendations. Section 25.5 of this bill appropriates to the Department an additional $222,763 for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 and $279,956 for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 for personnel and operating costs to carry out the provisions of this bill.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 385.900, 388.090, 389.041, 389.200, 389.210, 389.230, 231.037, 231.1555, 274.310, 274.320, 274.330, 360.750, 360.753, 360.754, 360.759, 360.888, 360.889, 360.891, 360.894, 360.940, 360.945
Reprint 1: 385.900, 385.910, 388.090, 389.041, 389.171, 389.200, 231.037, 231.1555, 274.310, 274.320, 274.330, 360.750, 360.753, 360.754, 360.759, 360.888, 360.889, 360.891, 360.894, 360.940, 360.945
Reprint 2: 385.900, 385.910, 388.090, 389.041, 389.171, 389.200, 231.037, 231.1555, 274.310, 274.320, 274.330, 360.750, 360.753, 360.754, 360.759, 360.888, 360.889, 360.891, 360.894, 360.940, 360.945
BDR: 385.900, 388.090, 389.041, 389.200, 389.210, 389.230, 231.037, 231.1555, 274.310, 274.320, 274.330, 360.750, 360.753, 360.754, 360.759, 360.888, 360.889, 360.891, 360.894, 360.940, 360.945