Nevada’s High School Graduation Rates Show Modest Improvement Post-Pandemic
CARSON CITY, NV – Nevada’s high school graduation rate is slowly recovering from the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching 81.6 percent this year, a slight increase of 0.2 percentage points from last year, according to the Nevada Department of Education.
State Superintendent Jhone Ebert praised the uptick, admitting, “Any improvement is cause for celebration, even a modest one.” However, he stressed the ongoing challenges that must be addressed, noting, “It is premature to claim victory as long as even one student is struggling to graduate.”
The data revealed that 14 of Nevada’s 17 school districts surpassed the state graduation average, with nine districts, including Nye County, reporting notable gains. The Clark County School District, the state’s largest, maintained its graduation rate at 81.5 percent.
Disparities remain, particularly among marginalized groups. While the graduation rate for American Indian/Alaska Native students rose to 74 percent, students from various backgrounds, including Black/African American communities and those experiencing transient housing, still lag behind the state average by up to 39 percentage points.
Before the pandemic, Nevada’s graduation rates were steadily improving, rising from about 74 percent in the 2016-2017 school year to 84 percent by 2019-2020. The pandemic’s impact on education severely affected this progress, as students faced significant learning losses, exacerbated by family needs for support during challenging times.
Looking forward, Ann Marie Dickson, deputy superintendent for student achievement, noted that while recent funding increases for K-12 education are promising, tangible improvements may take three to five years to manifest. Efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism and enhance student proficiency are also underway, emphasizing the importance of personalized learning for student engagement and success.
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Photo credit thenevadaindependent.com
