Public can help with education standards

The state-appointed Council to Establish Academic Standards is looking to Nevada residents to help craft the goals of their children's school experience.

The council has completed a list of standards, goals and expectations for students and teachers to meet in social studies, computer and technology education, the arts and health and physical education.

The standards give an idea of what students should know in a certain subject at different grade levels, and the council is hoping to get the public's input on the newly drafted plans.

"This is a major effort by people from all over the state, and now we need input from other parents, teachers and business people," council chairwoman Debbie Smith said. "These standards are going to be the mainstays for our children."

The standards for mathematics, science and English were established last year and have already been put into use in the state's school districts, Smith said.

For example, according to the math standards, by the end of the third grade a Nevada student should be able to use addition, subtraction and multiplication facts to 81, and solve two-step addition and subtraction problems and single step multiplication problems.

To look over the standards and make comments residents can log onto the website (www.nsn.k12.nv.us/nvdoe).

Public comment will be accepted through Nov. 30, and the comments and standards will be reviewed by the board Dec. 7 in Las Vegas, Smith said. Another public comment period will follow that meeting before the final standards are presented to the board for approval on Jan. 13.

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