School choice breathes opportunity into communities where the public school option fails by injecting competition and challenging the status quo. Our laws should expand the freedom to choose our child’s educational experience. The option to choose which school is best suited to a student’s needs is a panacea for poverty, and increases educational opportunities for all Nevada students.
School Choice and Resources
Microschools:
Microschools expand the traditional educational model to better prepare children for the future. They are small institutions where parents personalize their child’s education. Micro-schools differ from homeschools because often the teacher may be hired or parents of children in the school teach the material. This is why micro-schools are often described as “outsourced homeschooling.” They are free from standardized testing, and mandatory curriculum that defines today’s public school system. For more information National Microschooling Center
Homeschool:
Homeschool is parent-directed education. Some families choose homeschool co-ops for field trips or education related activities a few times per week Nevada Homeschool Resources
Charter School:
Charter schools are generally run by a non-profit organization and regulated by the Charter Authority. Magnet Schools are managed by the public school system and are still considered public schools but have a focus or emphasis that traditional public schools may not offer.
Private School:
Tuition-based education that can be religious or secular. Parents often have more influence over events and curriculum because they are funding their child’s education.Public School:A school that is maintained at public expense for the education of the children of a community or district and that constitutes a part of a system of free public education commonly including primary and secondary schools.
Benefits of school choice
Reduces racial segregation
These studies examine the effect of school voucher programs on racial and ethnic diversity in public and private schools.
Total Number of Studies
Any Positive Effect
No Visible Effect
Any Negative Effect
11
6
5
0
Increases outcomes for public school student
Public schools that face greater competitive pressure—more expansive private school choice programs—may be systematically different than public schools that face lesser competitive pressures— more limited private school choice programs
Total Number of Studies
Any Positive Effect
No Visible Effect
Any Negative Effect
28
25
1
2
Parent Satisfaction
Studies in this section use surveys of parents to learn whether they are more satisfied with their children’s schools after using such programs.
Total Number of Studies
Any Positive Effect
No Visible Effect
Any Negative Effect
32
30
1
2
DOES MORE WITH LESS
The vast majority of studies finds ESA, voucher and tax-credit scholarship programs save money.
Total Number of Studies
Any Positive Effect
No Visible Effect
Any Negative Effect
73
68
4
5
Recent News
Parents Need To Know: Gender Policies in Clark County School District, Washoe County School District
By Rachel Caldwell, Power2Parent
The policies governing gender identity and expression differ substantially between Nevada’s two largest school districts – Clark County School District and Washoe County School District.
Clark County School District is governed by Policy 5138 – ‘Addressing the Rights and Needs of Students with Diverse Gender Identities or Expressions.’ It is the more conservative policy of the two.
Washoe County School District is governed by Administrative Regulation 5161 – ‘Gender Identity and Gender Non-Conformity – Students.’
The biggest difference between the two is the stance each governing document takes on a parent or legal guardian’s right to know if a child is identifying with anything other than their physiological and biological identity at school.
CCSD’s policy states that upon a child identifying as gender diverse at school, the school will form a Gender Support Team that includes the parents of the child, the student, the Equity and Diversity Education Department Administrative Team, select school personnel, and any representatives of community-based support groups (including faith groups) as designated by the parents of the student in question.
WCSD, on the other hand, takes that stance that staff do not have the right to inform parents of the student’s gender expression or identity at school. The regulation states that “staff shall not disclose information that may reveal a student’s transgender or gender non-conforming status to others, including parents/ guardians and other staff members, unless there is a specific ‘need to know,’ they are legally required to do so or unless the student has authorized such disclosure.”
Furthermore, “staff must be mindful of the confidentiality and privacy rights of students when contacting parents/guardians so as to not reveal, imply or refer to a student’s actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression,” according to the regulation.
Both policies allow for the student to use the restroom and locker room that correlates with their professed gender identity. The CCSD policy states that restroom and locker room use decisions may by assessed on a case-by-case basis, while the WCSD regulation provides more of a seemingly ‘carte-blanche’ accommodation.
No accommodation is made within either policy for other students who may be uncomfortable with the gender non-conforming student’s ability to use either restroom or locker room.
Additionally, there are no specific requirements in either policy to be called by an alternative name on unofficial school records.
Access the governing documents here:
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