Nevada graduation rates up, but so is bullying

Associated Press

Published Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015 | 8:26 a.m.

Updated Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015 | 9:41 a.m.

CARSON CITY — Nevada's statewide graduation rate ticked up almost one percentage point amid gains at the massive Clark County School District, according to data released Thursday as part of the annual Nevada Report Card.

State education officials said that the preliminary graduation rate for the Class of 2015 was 70.9 percent, up from 70 percent the year earlier. Clark County logged a 72 percent graduation rate, up from 70.9 percent the year before, while Washoe County had a 75 percent graduation rate, up from 72.7 percent a year earlier.

"The data released today illustrates that many of our schools have worked hard in certain areas, such as improving graduation rates and reducing credit deficiency and truancy," State Superintendent Steve Canavero said in a statement. "However, I am troubled by data showing that we still have much work to do to ensure our school environments are free from violence and bullying."

State officials said there were nearly 5,158 reported bullying incidents that led to discipline last school year, up significantly from 3,754 the year before. Meanwhile, the number of reported cyber bullying incidents that led to discipline fell slightly from 544 to 480 year-over-year.

Lawmakers passed a bill this spring that strengthens reporting requirements for bullying incidents, and creates a new state-level anti-bullying office whose new director came on board this month.

Lawmakers also approved millions of dollars to hire social workers to address bullying at Nevada schools. The state Board of Examiners approved money this week to administer a statewide survey of students that will help determine where bullying is most acute and where social workers are needed most.

"The staff of (the Nevada Department of Education's) new Office for a Safe and Respectful Learning Environment is dedicated to working with districts and schools to address issues of bullying and school safety," Canavero said.