Paul Takahashi

Education Reporter

Paul was born in New York City and grew up in a New Jersey suburb, exit 163. He studied journalism at Northwestern University because he loves to tell stories about issues affecting the everyday lives of ordinary Americans. Previous to joining the Sun in 2010, Paul helped cover Barack Obama's election night rally from Grant Park for a Chicago TV station, and filed video stories from South Africa.

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Story Archive

Scarlet and Gray to observe golden anniversary commencement Sunday: Saturday, May 18, 2013; UNLV is celebrating its 50th commencement, a milestone that represents incredible growth for the university. UNLV began as an extension campus of UNR in 1951 with 12 full-time students and 16 part-time students who met in the dressing rooms of Las Vegas High School's auditorium.
From music to TV to the Strip: UNLV's famous grads: Saturday, May 18, 2013; ESPN broadcaster Kenny Mayne, longtime NBA owner George Maloof and Food Network personality Guy Fieri are among the famous who have earned degrees from UNLV.
Boy, 15, run over by SUV and killed during theft of iPad: Friday, May 17, 2013; A teenager died Thursday after a man grabbed an iPad out of his hands and fled in an SUV that ran over the boy as he struggled to hold on to the device.
Volunteer high school coach arrested on student sex charges: Thursday, May 16, 2013; A female volunteer basketball coach at Shadow Ridge High School was arrested Thursday on two counts of sexual misconduct with a student and one count of child luring, according to Clark County School District Police.
Nevada kindergartners' access to health care, insurance lacking, UNLV survey finds: Thursday, May 16, 2013; More Nevada children are entering kindergarten without health insurance and face greater barriers to health care access, according to an UNLV report released Thursday.
CCSD budget, unburdened by cutbacks, wins easy approval: Wednesday, May 15, 2013; The Clark County School Board unanimously approved a $2.1 billion final budget for next school year, which includes funding for nearly 50 new special education teaching assistants and summer remediation programs for middle and high school students.
Children with school-issued iPads are tempting targets, Metro Police say: 83 iPads have been stolen from students this year, CCSD reports; Tuesday, May 14, 2013; Thieves are targeting schoolchildren carrying CCSD-issued iPads to and from school, according to Metro Police. Although educators praise iPads for raising student engagement, local authorities are concerned they could pose a new safety hazard for students.
UNLV engineering seniors roll out inventions: Saturday, May 11, 2013; An iPhone application that recites cooking recipes, a mechanical sheet-music page-turner and a self-folding stroller with automatic safety features were some of the inventions showcased at UNLV's engineering design competition this week.
Six new CCSD teachers recognized for stellar rookie years: Thursday, May 9, 2013; The Clark County School Board honored six New Teachers of the Year on Thursday. The six were chosen among a list of teachers nominated by their respective schools for commendable work during their first year of employment with the School District.
Sandoval to settle on next state schools superintendent in August: Thursday, May 9, 2013; Gov. Brian Sandoval is expected to announce a new state superintendent by the end of the summer, according to a search timeline released Thursday.
Elaine Wynn bemoans state of education in Nevada, lobbies for national search for new superintendent: Thursday, May 9, 2013; Elaine Wynn called upon the Clark County School Board to conduct a national search for its next superintendent during her keynote address Wednesday at a Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
Fourth-grade teacher honored for being among 'teaching elite': Thursday, May 9, 2013; The Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce honored Rogers Elementary School teacher Maggie Reardon at its luncheon Wednesday as part of Clark County's Teacher Appreciation Week.
District, partners show their appreciation for teachers: Tuesday, May 7, 2013; Teachers at one local elementary school were surprised Tuesday with free lunch, entertainment and gift cards for school supplies in celebration of National Teacher Appreciation Day.
Timeline of UNLV-Majestic breakup: Tuesday, May 7, 2013; Here's a look at events in UNLV's partnership and breakup with Majestic Realty on the UNLV Now stadium proposal:
Anatomy of a breakup: Emails offer glimpse into why UNLV dumped Majestic on stadium project: Tuesday, May 7, 2013; UNLV mulled the idea of dropping Majestic Realty nearly a month before making its decision public, according to emails between the two former UNLV stadium partners. More than 1,000 pages of emails between UNLV Now project leader Don Snyder and Majestic point man Craig Cavileer, sent from January to March, offer a look at reasons why UNLV ended its 2 1/2-year partnership with Majestic.
8 CCSD campuses make America's Best High Schools list: Tuesday, May 7, 2013; Thirteen Nevada high schools — including eight in Clark County — were named among the best high schools in the nation, according to Newsweek and the Daily Beast.
Cost to ease crowded Clark County classrooms put at $1.2 billion: Monday, May 6, 2013; Reducing class sizes in Southern Nevada to the national average would take $1.2 billion over four years, according to figures recently released by the Clark County School District. But it will take more than the will of the School District or its teachers union to bring class sizes down. The Nevada Legislature also will have to agree — and find a way to fund the effort.
Proposal for 'master teachers' with $200K annual salary has its skeptics — among teachers: Friday, May 3, 2013; Jim Guthrie's idea to pay a group of top-performing teachers an annual salary of $200,000 received mixed reactions from Clark County schoolteachers this week.
Consultant finds wide community support for UNLV president: Thursday, May 2, 2013; UNLV faculty, students and community leaders overwhelmingly support the leadership of President Neal Smatresk, according to the results of an independent evaluation announced Thursday.
Suicide in school: District's prevention effort leads to student hospitalizations: Four identified through program of being at risk as CCSD strives to combat a rising statistic; Thursday, May 2, 2013; Four Clark County School District students were placed on suicide watch at area hospitals last weekend after the students took part in a suicide prevention program and were deemed a high risk, according to district officials.
Guest-teacher experience brings together Las Vegas students, community leaders: Teach for America Week helps familiarize political, industry leaders with education organization; Wednesday, May 1, 2013; More than a dozen local politicians, business and community leaders are participating in the annual Teach for America Week, which is taking place in 46 Teach for America regions across the nation.
Roseman University to bring valley its first M.D.-granting medical school: Friday, April 26, 2013; Roseman University of Health Sciences announced plans Friday to create the first M.D.-granting medical school in Southern Nevada. Over the next several months, Roseman will begin the accreditation process for the medical school. Although the timeline and details are still being worked out, the new Roseman University School of Medicine may begin enrolling students by 2015 or 2016.
$34 million in new bonds to buy CCSD new computers, buses: Thursday, April 25, 2013; The Clark County School Board approved a decade-long $34 million bond program to purchase new computers and buses.
School Board member endorses interim chief Skorkowsky as next superintendent: Thursday, April 25, 2013; Clark County School Board member Chris Garvey officially announced her support for hiring Pat Skorkowsky as the next superintendent overseeing the Las Vegas school system.
Board OKs hike in school lunch prices: Thursday, April 25, 2013; The Clark County School Board approved a school lunch price increase of 15 cents, or about $27 annually, on Thursday.
Rainbow Dreams school has its charter renewed: Thursday, April 25, 2013; The Clark County School Board renewed its contract with the two star-ranked Rainbow Dreams Academy Charter School on Thursday.
'A-Tech' still striving to be better, principal says: Wednesday, April 24, 2013; Advanced Technologies Academy, known more commonly as A-Tech, has been consistently ranked one of Clark County and Nevada's top magnet schools. The five-star school in the central valley was named a national Blue Ribbon school in 2002 and 2011. It also was named a “school of excellence” by the Magnet Schools of America.
Advanced Technologies Academy tops in Nevada, magazine says: Wednesday, April 24, 2013; Advanced Technologies Academy has been named the best public high school in Nevada, according to the U.S. News and World Report. The national magazine reviewed more than 21,000 public high schools from across the nation as part of its 2013 Best High Schools rankings. The annual rankings, which were released Tuesday, aim to identify the top-performing public high schools in the countr
CCSD students' proficiency up in science, reading but down in math: Tuesday, April 23, 2013; The Clark County School District students made significant gains in reading and science, but dropped precipitously in math, according to 2012 proficiency test scores.
10 facts you should know about sex education and teen pregnancy rates in Nevada: Tuesday, April 23, 2013; Should sex education be a school or a parent's responsibility? Or both? That's perhaps the most contentious question surrounding Assembly Bill 230, which would change sex education in Nevada from an opt-in to an opt-out program.
UNLV Now stadium proposal on track, regents are told: Saturday, April 20, 2013; UNLV officials updated Nevada's higher education leaders on Friday about the details of a proposed tax district to finance a new stadium on campus.
Regent questions priorities behind UNLV Now stadium project: Saturday, April 20, 2013; Regent Allison Stephens accused UNLV officials on Friday of catering to the resort community at the expense of students. The first-year regent urged UNLV officials to think about building a student village first – before embarking on a new on-campus stadium. Both are included in plans the university and regents are considering.
Pair of North Las Vegas car accidents leaves two dead: Friday, April 19, 2013; Two people died in separate car accidents Friday in North Las Vegas.
Regents reaffirm opposition to guns on campus: Friday, April 19, 2013; Nevada's higher education leaders voted to maintain an on-campus ban on guns after a heated debate Friday.
Regents near-unanimous in opposing expansion to allow student representative: Friday, April 19, 2013; Nevada's higher education leaders opposed on Friday a bill that would allow a student representative on the board of regents, which oversees Nevada's seven colleges and universities.
Gamble backfires: How the district's 2012 estimated graduation rate exceeded the final state tally: Friday, April 19, 2013; Instead of posting a graduation rate of 64.9 percent as originally estimated, Clark County's actual graduation rate was 61.6 – a discrepancy of 3.3 percentage points. Instead of a 5.5 percentage point improvement in Clark County's graduation rate as originally thought, the School District improved by 2.2 percent from 2011. The Las Vegas schools' remarkable improvement wasn't so remarkable after all.
UNLV selects new dean of education: Tuesday, April 16, 2013; UNLV has a new dean for its college of education. Kim Metcalf, a director of institutional research and planning at the University of West Georgia, will become the seventh education dean starting July 1. UNLV made the announcement in a news release Tuesday morning.
Four CCSD high schools ranked among nation's most challenging: Tuesday, April 16, 2013; Sixteen Nevada high schools — including four from Clark County — have made the Washington Post's list of the most challenging high schools in the nation.
Foothill High band celebrates news it'll march in 2014 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: Friday, April 12, 2013; Each Thanksgiving Day for as long as he could remember, Nicolas Zelidon would tune into the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on television to watch the great spectacle unfold. Gigantic balloons, big-name celebrities and flashy marching bands from across the country all marching the two-and-a-half miles in the heart of New York City in celebration of the most American of holidays: Thanksgiving. The 16-year-old Foothill High School sophomore would watch the parade but never thought in a million years he would ever march in it.
Money OK'd to bring in 150 more Teach for America educators to CCSD: Thursday, April 11, 2013; The Clark County School Board unanimously approved a $300,000 contract on Thursday to hire 150 additional Teach for America educators for next school year, representing a 50 percent increase in TFA teachers in the School District.
Interim CCSD chief Skorkowsky scores $65,000 raise: Thursday, April 11, 2013; Interim Clark County Schools Superintendent Pat Skorkowsky is getting a 45 percent raise to lead the nation's fifth-largest school district. Skorkowsky — who has 25 years of experience in the district — will be paid a base annual salary of $186,000.
Former UNLV leader on short list for presidency at New Mexico State: Wednesday, April 10, 2013; David Ashley, the embattled former president of UNLV, has been named a finalist for president of New Mexico State University.

A presidential search committee on Tuesday delivered the names of five finalists – including Ashley – to the New Mexico board of regents.
53 CCSD schools to offer full-time kindergarten in 2013-14 — for a price: Wednesday, April 10, 2013; The Clark County School District is now accepting applications for tuition-based, full-day kindergarten at 53 schools next year. Since the mid-2000s, the School District has offered full-day kindergarten at some elementary schools with the resources and space to offer it. Parents can pay $375 a month to keep their 5- and 6-year-old children in school for an additional three hours a day. The tuition – which comes out to about $3,100 a year – funds teacher salaries and facilities, and also includes a $100 registration fee.
UNLV to begin allowing students to return to water-damaged dorm: Small fire activates sprinkler system, causes evacuation at Dayton North Complex; Tuesday, April 9, 2013; Some students at one UNLV dormitory will be allowed back into their rooms Tuesday afternoon after being evacuated early Monday morning as a result of a trashcan fire. About 160 students at the Dayton North Complex were evacuated about 2:30 a.m. Monday when a trashcan fire in a second-floor restroom tripped the smoke alarm and sprinkler system, causing water damage to the four-story building's first and second floors. There were no injuries.
School Board hosting community meetings for input on superintendent search: Monday, April 8, 2013; The Clark County School Board is hosting 12 community meetings in April and May to get public input on the search for a new superintendent.
Nevada getting $3.8 million to aid struggling schools: Monday, April 8, 2013; Nevada is receiving $3.8 million in federal grant money to implement “turnaround” efforts at more low-performing schools. The Silver State is one of 13 states awarded School Improvement Grant funding for next school year.
5 most common communicable diseases reported in Clark County schools: Monday, April 8, 2013; Even though they are often seen as incubators of communicable diseases, schools can play a profound role in maintaining public health. Before a child can enroll in school, parents must vaccinate them for a number of infectious diseases. From a young age, schoolchildren are taught to be vigilant about washing their hands. In later grades, students are required to take gym and health classes to learn about healthy living.
Reading and writing and reefer: 'Budtender School' to open in Las Vegas: Friday, April 5, 2013; While Nevada lawmakers debate the merits of legalizing marijuana, one company is looking at opening the state's first medical marijuana school this month. The Budtender School is expected to have its grand opening on April 13. Created by the Cannabis Career Institute, the school will teach students how to establish and maintain a successful and legal medical marijuana dispensary business.
School District's funding influx clears way for new teacher hires, school buses: Wednesday, April 3, 2013; The Clark County School Board approved increased funding for new teacher hires and school buses on Wednesday.
School Board again puts off decision on search for superintendent: Wednesday, April 3, 2013; After a heated three-hour debate over the merits of conducting a national superintendent search, the Clark County School Board tabled its vote on a contract with a search firm indefinitely – essentially abandoning a national search for now.