Most parents consider a quality education for their children a top priority, but Nevada public schools have long struggled to help students read, write, and do math proficiently.
According to the most recent test scores, fewer than half of students in third through eighth grade were proficient in English Language Arts. Fewer than 40% of students in third through eighth grade were proficient in math.
As for the schools themselves, despite posting improvements during the 2024-25 school year, the number of 5-star schools, the best rating, across the state declined, while the number of one-star schools, the worst rating, increased.
So, what will it take to see improvements?
According to Democratic gubernatorial candidate Aaron Ford, bringing the state's annual average per-pupil funding amount in line with the national average
"Money is important, period, point blank," Ford said. "The fact that we are so far behind on the national average demonstrates continued work that we need to do and commit ourselves to doing on a consistent basis."
For Republican incumbent Governor Joe Lombardo, funding is also key to hiring and keeping high-quality teachers in the classroom.
"We [have] got to continue to be competitive in the market and ensure that we have retention," Lombardo said. "It's [also] career pathways, right? And for the newbies, the new teachers coming in, [asking] 'Am I going to be encumbered by student loans getting into this profession?' No, we're going to help you in that endeavor."
So, what should we make of the two candidates' education proposals, and what will it take to significantly improve public education in Nevada?
April Corbin Girnus, deputy editor of the Nevada Current, says more money is key.
"When you talk about the most recent big [funding] increase and what impact we have seen, I think that is shown most clearly through vacancy rates in terms of how many teachers are available. Those [rates] have lowered as a result of that."
Guests: Aaron Ford, democrat, Nevada Attorney General and Candidate for Governor; April Corbin Girnus, deputy editor, The Nevada Current
