The Nevada Department of Education has secured a federal grant aimed at tackling high chronic absenteeism rates across various local education agencies. The grant, amounting to $231,234, was awarded through the Stronger Connections Technical Assistance and Capacity Building (SCTAC) program.
The funding will support a project designed to reduce chronic absenteeism by 15 to 20 percent over three years. This initiative will encompass professional development, training, mentorship programs, and strategic partnerships with community entities.
“We have seen improvement in our state’s chronic absenteeism rate and that’s encouraging news,” stated Dr. Steve Canavero, Interim Superintendent of Public Instruction. “However, we know that there’s work left to do to ensure that our students are in classrooms learning. This project will enable us to provide targeted support to schools and districts that are experiencing high absenteeism rates.”
The chronic absenteeism rate in Nevada has been a considerable challenge, exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. A student is deemed chronically absent if they miss 10 percent or more of their school days. During the 2023-24 school year, Nevada reported a 25.9 percent absenteeism rate, which marked a 9-point improvement compared to the previous year.
In the last academic year, 77 percent of schools successfully reduced their absenteeism rates, with 58 percent achieving a reduction of at least 10 percentage points.
To support this initiative, staff from the Nevada Department of Education will work alongside the University of Nevada, Reno, to facilitate professional training and provide tailored guidance to local education agencies.
“We are excited to promote a systems approach based in data and local partnerships,” said Christy McGill, Deputy Superintendent for Educator Effectiveness and Family Engagement.
