Nevada
Chronic absenteeism decreases at Nevada schools, proficiency rates improve – The Nevada Independent
Public schools statewide are making progress toward lowering chronic student absenteeism and improving student achievement, according to data from the 2023-24 school year released Monday by the Nevada Department of Education (NDE).
However, despite the gains the state experienced in its math and English Language Arts proficiency rates among third- through eighth-grade students, they still lag behind pre-pandemic levels.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jhone Ebert said the data points are a sign that things are headed in the right direction. She credits the progress to some of the recent investment the state has made in K-12 education including professional development opportunities on reading instruction and the work that NDE has been doing to personalize learning for students.
“Coming out of the pandemic, we knew that there were a lot of pieces to the puzzle that we needed to tackle,” Ebert said. “I think all of those coming together: making sure that teachers have resources, making sure that kids are coming to school, all of those components help lean in on the increase in ELA and the increase in math.”
Chronic absenteeism
The state’s chronic absenteeism for the 2023-24 school year dropped by 9 percentage points from about 35 percent during the 2022-23 school year to 26 percent last school year, with some 60 percent of the state’s 781 schools lowering their rates by at least 10 percentage points, NDE said in a Monday statement.
Students are considered chronically absent when they miss 10 percent or more of school days.
Ebert credits the decrease to the work that schools are doing to connect with students and their families. That includes home visits and efforts to track down missing students.
The state’s largest school district, Clark County, also saw an improvement in its chronic absenteeism rate from 38 percent during the 2022-23 school year to 31 percent last school year. But Clark County remains higher than the statewide rate.
Washoe County, which saw a surprising increase in chronic absenteeism rate in the 2022-2023 school year from the year prior, dropped its rate by about 3 percentage points in the 2023-2024 school year.
Despite the improvements, the chronic absenteeism rate remains much higher than before the pandemic. About 77 percent of schools saw increases in chronic absenteeism — averaging about 8 percentage points — from the 2018-2019 to the 2023-2024 school years, according to a Nevada Independent analysis.
Esmeralda County, the state’s smallest district with about 90 students, had the highest chronic absenteeism rate among all of the 17 school districts and the state’s charter school system, 43 percent. Douglas County School District with about 5,000 students had the lowest at less than 21 percent.
Student achievement
Nevada schools saw improvements in mathematics proficiency among students in grades third through eighth for a second consecutive year. Overall, about a third of students in those grade levels demonstrated proficiency in math – a 1 percentage-point increase compared with the 2022-23 school year. But it still remains behind the pre-pandemic math rate, which is about 38 percent.
The state’s English Language Arts rate for those grade levels, 41 percent, also saw a slight uptick, but it too is behind the pre-pandemic rate of about 49 percent. Statewide, more than half of schools increased their English and math proficiency from the 2022-2023 school year, according to a Nevada Independent analysis.
Clark County School District (CCSD) students in grades third through eighth are performing below the state’s rates, scoring 30 percent in math proficiency and 39 percent in English Language Arts. CCSD’s high schoolers’ math proficiency rate has been on a downward trend since the 2018-19 school year, which mirrors the state’s rate.
Ebert attributed this to a need for more math teachers and an increase in student engagement.
Take the maps below, for example. They show that most schools in the Las Vegas Valley increased their English and math proficiency in the past year, though there were schools with falling proficiency levels, mostly in the central and eastern parts of the valley. Still, it’s a marked improvement from the same maps a year ago (shown here), which had many more schools with falling English proficiency.
However, the proficiency rates still lag significantly behind pre-pandemic levels. The Indy found that more than 75 percent of schools have lower English and math proficiency than in the 2018-2019 school year. The rate was slightly higher among Title I schools, a federal designation for schools with a higher percentage of students from low-income households.
Of all the district and charter schools, Lincoln County students in grades three through eight had the highest rate in math proficiency (47 percent), while Eureka County students had the highest rate in English Language Arts proficiency (59 percent).
Eureka County 11th graders outperformed their peers in other districts in math proficiency with a rate of 32 percent, while 11th graders in the state charter school system outperformed their peers in English language proficiency, 53 percent.
While the state is working on strategies to move the needle on K-12 education at a faster rate, Ebert said it will take some time until the investments made during the 2023 legislative session on K-12 education are reflected in the data.
“We’re driving specific, specialized resources to those that are most in need, and those resources just became available a year ago,” she said. “To implement any program you’re looking at least two to three years to see some shifts.”
LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles has received nearly 21,000 complaints about illegal drivers through its new online reporting portal in just two months, with more than 83 percent of those reports coming from Clark County.
The Registration Spotter tool, launched in October on the DMV’s website, allows residents to report vehicles with no plates, expired or invalid registration, or illegal out-of-state plates. The initiative was part of an effort to address what officials call a pervasive problem affecting road safety and contributing to rising car insurance costs.
WATCH | Plenty of reports, not enough action — what’s the deal?
Nevada DMV receives nearly 21,000 reports of illegal drivers in two months
“It’s everywhere all the time,” said J.D. Decker from the DMV’s Compliance Enforcement Division during a February ride-along.
However, some residents who have filed reports are questioning the effectiveness of the system, like Las Vegas resident Paul who emailed to ask, “Darcy, what’s the deal?”
“I reported a car without plates over two months ago and I still see it parking where I live. Why don’t they investigate? I also see so many cars on the road without plates and even see cops that don’t stop them. Why don’t police stop them?” Paul asked.
KTNV
DMV officials acknowledge that enforcement is lacking. DMV spokesperson Hailey Foster said the agency agrees “this is certainly an issue we, the DMV, would like to see be enforced more.”
The DMV admits it’s still working to distribute data from the online portal to other agencies and cannot guarantee specific action on reports. Foster explained that if a vehicle is parked in someone’s driveway and not being operated, that’s technically legal. Officers need to see the car being driven on streets to issue a citation.
“This takes everybody, and there’s so much of it right now, and it’s going to take all of Nevada law enforcement to address,” Decker said.
KTNV
The DMV does not track enforcement statistics based on whether action comes from patrol, investigation or complaints submitted by residents, making it impossible to determine how many Registration Spotter tips have led to enforcement action.
But, traffic enforcement overall is increasing. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police made about 82,000 traffic stops this year, according to a Dec. 16 social media post.
A newly formed multi-agency traffic task force, which we told you about on Dec. 8, has logged 26 registration violations and 14 insurance violations since its formation, though their primary focus is on dangerous driving.
KTNV
We also asked other agencies for their enforcement statistics over the last two months. North Las Vegas Police said, “While NLVPD does not receive or track the individual public-submitted reports sent directly to the DMV as part of that program, we are able to provide our department’s registration-related enforcement statistics during the same general timeframe.
For the period October 1, 2025 through December 18, 2025, North Las Vegas Police Department officers issued:
- 557 citations
- 601 total offenses related to registration and license plate violations
These offenses include, but are not limited to:
- Failure to possess or surrender certificate of registration
- Improper display of license plates
- Operating a vehicle without valid Nevada vehicle registration
Henderson Police citations from 10/01/2025 – 12/17/2025:
Operate vehicle w/expired registration or plates: 214
Operate unregistered vehicle-trailer or semi trailer: 84
Display fictitious vehicle registration/plate/title: 8
Fail to obtain and properly display permit to operate unregistered vehicle: 3
Operate unregistered moped: 1
Rear license plate lamp violation: 1
License plates improperly displayed: 1
Nevada State Police was only able to provide citation information for the month of October.
Nevada Highway Patrol statewide citation information:
Total citations issued: 12,962
Registration-related citations: 1,475
All other citations: 11,487
Statement from the Department:
“The Nevada State Police Highway Patrol Division recognizes public interest related to unregistered vehicles and has and will continue to enforce all traffic laws on Nevada’s roadways, including laws related to vehicle registration. Enforcement of unregistered vehicles has long been part of routine traffic enforcement efforts statewide. As with all enforcement activity, the Nevada Highway Patrol prioritizes public safety and responds based on observed violations, calls for service, and operational considerations, including impaired driving and other serious safety concerns. Traffic enforcement is continuous and ongoing, and troopers take appropriate enforcement action when unregistered vehicles are encountered during patrol or traffic stops. The Nevada Highway Patrol strongly encourages drivers to ensure their vehicles are properly registered in accordance with Nevada law.”
The DMV is asking each law enforcement agency in the state to increase enforcement of the types of violations reported through Registration Spotter. DMV officials say the best outcome would be for each agency to conduct their own enforcement patrols and crack down on these violations.
Wondering what the deal is with something happening in the valley? Reach out to Darcy Spears at Darcy.Spears@ktnv.com.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — While Strip tourism declined this year, outdoor recreation across Nevada continues to grow, with some areas seeing increased business and new facilities opening to accommodate visitors.
Valley of Fire State Park reached 1 million visitors this year and recently opened a new $30 million visitors center. Lake Mead National Recreation Area also continues to draw tourists, including those taking holiday-themed rafting tours through Black Canyon.
Chad Taylor, director of operations for the Hospitality Division of Guest Services and Hoover Dam Rafting Adventures, calls outdoor recreation an “enormous” boost for the state economy.
Last month, the Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation (NDOR) released an Economic Impact Analysis finding that outdoor recreation is a $24 billion industry in Nevada, generating $13.7 billion in total economic output, supporting more than 75,000 jobs, and contributing $8.8 billion to the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
NDOR reports outdoor recreation has officially surpassed the mining industry in GDP contribution and is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of Nevada’s economic diversification strategy.
The Hoover Dam Rafting Adventure, which has operated for more than four decades, saw slightly lower numbers this year for its 12-mile Colorado River tours starting at the base of the dam. Taylor said the rafting business typically follows Las Vegas tourism trends.
“As Las Vegas tourism increases or decreases, we typically see the same out here for the tour specifically,” Taylor said.
However, other outdoor properties showed growth. Taylor said Lake Mead properties, including Callville Bay, Cottonwood Cove, and Temple Bar, saw increased business this year.
Taylor, who sits on the governor’s advisory board for outdoor tourism, said the state is investing heavily in outdoor recreation infrastructure. Nevada is building Adventure Centers in Northern Nevada and Southern Nevada.
The Southern Nevada Adventure Center, under construction in Boulder City, will serve as a one-stop shop for booking outdoor activities. The facility is expected to open in summer 2026.
“Not only at the federal level, but the state level, the amount of energy and effort that they’ve put into outdoor recreation over the last few years, especially when it comes to the two new adventure centers that they’re building in Northern Nevada and Southern Nevada, they’re doubling down on outdoor recreation,” Taylor said.
The Hoover Dam rafting company continues its holiday-themed tours with Santa through Christmas Eve.
Reservations can be made at hooverdamraftingadventures.com or by calling (800) 455-3490.
Copyright 2025 KVVU. All rights reserved.
The U.S. House passed a bill Thursday put forward by Nevada Rep. Mark Amodei that would reinvigorate mining activity on federal lands.
Amodei, a Republican who represents the state’s top half, described the bill as strengthening the nation’s mineral supply chain and helping to counter China’s dominance with minerals.
“Western states are sitting on a wealth of resources and a critical opportunity to break our dangerous reliance on foreign adversaries while powering our own economy,” he said in a statement.
“The Mining Regulatory Clarity Act … gives domestic mining operations the certainty they need to compete aggressively and win.”
The bill passed 219 to 198. Republicans voted 210 in favor, 1 opposed and 9 not voting. Democrats voted 9 in favor, 197 opposed and 7 not voting. It was one of the House’s last actions before adjourning for the year.
Nevada delegation split on mining bill
Amodei was joined by Las Vegas Democrat Steven Horsford, who co-sponsored the bill in the House.
“Streamlining the hardrock mining process will create good jobs and strengthen our energy sector,” Horsford said.
The state’s other two House members — Democrats Susie Lee and Dina Titus — voted in opposition.
Titus spokesperson Dick Cooper told the Reno Gazette Journal that the congresswoman voted no because the bill would allow for increased dumping of mine waste on public lands.
“It would also allow mining companies to gain permanent rights to occupy public lands and preclude other uses including recreational and cultural uses,” he added.
It now heads to the Senate, where Nevada Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto will work to get it passed.
“This bill is common sense, and it’s key for communities across Nevada that count on mining for their livelihoods,” Cortez Masto said in a social media post.
Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada, a Democrat, also supports it. She helped introduce the Senate companion version of Amodei’s bill.
“Nevada is one of the few places in the United States with an abundance of critical minerals and a robust hardrock mining industry,” Rosen said. “The responsible mining of these minerals supports thousands of jobs and will help to strengthen our domestic manufacturing and clean energy supply chains.”
What does Amodei’s Mining Regulatory Clarity Act do?
The bill is a response to a 2022 decision by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals involving the Rosemont Copper Mine in Arizona.
The decision basically meant that mining companies must prove valuable minerals exist on a piece of land before they can dump waste material on it. Called the “mineral validity” requirement, it disrupted decades of precedent.
Amodei’s bill would reverse that and allow the practice to resume of using nearby land for mining waste without proving the land contains commercial deposits — something mining companies say is essential for operating on federal land.
“This legislation ensures the fundamental ability to conduct responsible mining activities on federal lands,” said Rich Nolan, National Mining Association president and CEO, in a statement. “Regulatory certainty, or the lack thereof, will either underpin or undermine efforts to decisively confront our minerals crisis.”
The bill also creates an “Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund.” Some fees related to mining claims will be used to fund a program to inventory, assess and clean up abandoned hardrock mines.
Environmental groups blast House vote on Mining Regulatory Clarity Act
Some environmental groups campaigned against the bill and described it as choosing corporate interests over people, Native Americans’ rights and the environment.
Lauren Pagel, policy director for Earthworks, said the bill “will remove already-scarce protections for natural resources and sacred cultural sites in U.S. mining law.”
The Center for Biological Diversity said the bill surrenders public lands to mining conglomerates.
“The so-called Mining Regulatory Clarity Act would bypass the validity requirement and grant mining companies — including foreign companies — the statutory right to permanently occupy and indiscriminately use public lands upon approval of a company’s self-written plan of operations,” said the nonprofit conservation organization in an online post.
Mark Robison is the state politics reporter for the Reno Gazette Journal, with occasional forays into other topics. Email comments to mrobison@rgj.com or comment on Mark’s Greater Reno Facebook page.
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