LOOKING IN ON: EDUCATION

By Emily Richmond

Sunday, June 3, 2007 | 7:11 a.m.

Too many tests. Not enough funding. Unrealistic expectations.

Asked to share their thoughts on the federal No Child Left Behind Act, Clark County's education community gave Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid an earful.

At Hollingsworth Elementary School on Wednesday Reid spoke with parents, teachers and staff about the federal law, which is up for reauthorization by Congress. No Child Left Behind is here to stay, Reid said, so it's up to the lawmakers, with input from the public, to fix it.

Reid assured state education officials that he fully supports allowing schools to demonstrate progress based on improvement over a prior year's test scores, rather than the current requirement that every student reach a specific achievement benchmark. A handful of states has already been allowed to switch to the "growth model," and Nevada should be next, Reid said.

The emphasis on standardized test performance comes at the expense of instruction in areas such as history and government, which are "so enjoyable," Reid said.

"Had I had to depend on testing to get into high school and college, I never would have graduated eighth grade," said Reid, who has never shied from discussing his humble academic roots.

Reid said his primary areas of concern include how the law affects rural districts, the lack of funding for new school construction and renovations, and finding more effective ways to assess students with limited proficiency in English.

More of Clark County's high school seniors passed the statewide proficiency exam in May, the second consecutive year of improvement in reading and math.

Schools are still calculating how many diplomas will be handed out after commencement season begins Friday . The district expects this year's graduation rate to be close to last year's, which was 63.5 percent. That's a strong gain over the 60.1 percent of seniors who graduated in 2005.

In addition to passing the proficiency test, students must complete a minimum number of required courses.

The pass rate for seniors in math, widely considered the most difficult section of the exam, jumped to 24.4 percent from 20.5 percent last year. In reading 27.6 percent passed, compared with 19.4 percent in 2006.

Students take the math test for the first time as sophomores, and for the second consecutive year their pass rate increased: 47.7 percent, compared with 44.6 in 2006.

The May test is for seniors only. Students who do not pass but do complete the required courses will receive a certificate of attendance. The district offers a final test in July. Students who pass the exam then may trade in their certificates for diplomas from their high schools and are counted toward the districtwide graduation rate.

Bishop Gorman High School will say goodbye Monday to its home on Maryland Parkway. After 53 years in the heart of Las Vegas, the private school is moving to a new, 35-acre campus in Summerlin.

Clark County School District now owns the 6.5 acres at 1801 Maryland Parkway. Its short-term plans are to use the property as a freshman academy for students at overcrowded Eldorado High School.

The long-term fate of the campus worries some local residents. Assemblyman Richard "Tick" Segerblom, D-Las Vegas, failed in his effort to push through legislation to require the School District to consult a historian before making any major changes to the site.

Monday will be a day rich in ceremony and symbolism. Crucifixes will be collected from each classroom and kept safe until the first day of school in August. Several of the school's athletic banners will also be removed and presented to Head of School Paul Sullivan and the athletic department. All of the banners, including those representing 68 state championships, will be in place in the new gym by the time students arrive.