Math scores fall short of federal standards

Jeffrey Libby

Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2002 | 11:25 a.m.

About half of Clark County's third and fifth graders failed to meet new federal standards in reading and math, according to test scores released Tuesday by the School District.

The Clark County scores on the Nevada Criterion Referenced Examination were slightly better than the statewide average scores, which were released last week, but gaps in achievement between white students and black, Hispanic and other students remain of particular concern, a Clark County superintendent of education said.

Scores must be significantly improved by 2013-2014 in order to preserve millions of dollars annually in federal funding.

"The message has to be communicated strongly how dire this situation is, especially in light of the No Child Left Behind Act," Assemblywoman Vonne Chowning, D-North Las Vegas, said. "I'd be surprised if we have any schools that will pass,"

She said teachers, students and parents are working admirably under ever-increasing standards.

"I don't want to slam anyone," said Chowning, a member of a governor-appointed legislative committee charged with improving academic standards. "The worst thing is to have the students and parents and teachers feel so deflated that they don't want to continue."

Of the state's roughly $1 billion annual operating budget, the federal government supplied $72 million for the 2002-2003 school year, or 7 percent. A federal report this year ranked Nevada 49th in education spending.

The state needs to commit more resources to educating children, Chowning said, noting that Gov. Kenny Guinn has pledged to support legislation that would help get all students reading by the third grade.

Agustin Orci, Clark County deputy superintendent for instruction, also said low funding is the main obstacle to improving student achievement. The school district wants to offer summer school at more affordable rates, reduce class sizes and provide more afternoon programs, Orci said.

"We have many, many things we would like to do, but they are very expensive," Orci said. "We're hoping that the governor and Legislature will reform the tax structure in the state to enable schools to be funded at much higher levels than they currently are."

Of Clark County third-graders who took the proficiency exam last spring, 53 percent met standards in reading and 52 percent met standards in math.

Of Clark County fifth-graders who took the exam, 48 percent met reading standards and 51 percent met math standards.

Their scores were one to two percentage points higher than the scores statewide.

But in Clark County, black and Hispanic students, students learning English, and students qualifying for free or reduced price lunches all scored significantly lower than other students. Only 32 percent of English Language Learners met standards, for example.

"We have a high priority on reducing achievement gaps," Orci said.

More than 45,000 Clark County students are enrolled in English Language Learner classes and the enrollment is expected to increase to 80,000 in the next two years, officials said.