Referred to Committee on Legislative Affairs and Operations
SUMMARY--Directs Legislative Commission to conduct interim study regarding projected need for teachers in public schools. (BDR R-1758)
EXPLANATION - Matter in italics is new; matter in brackets [ ] is material to be omitted.
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION--Directing the Legislative Commission to conduct an interim study regarding the projected need for teachers in public schools.
Whereas, The State of Nevada is the fastest growing state in the nation and is experiencing a phenomenal increase in enrollments in the public school system; and
Whereas, The Clark County School District alone enrolls the equivalent of one classroom of children every day, which is the equivalent of one elementary school every month; and
Whereas, The school districts in this state hired an additional 1,800 new classroom teachers for the 1996-1997 school year; and
Whereas, An average of 200 students who have completed the teacher training program graduate annually from the College of Education at the University of Nevada, Reno, and an average of 350 students who have completed the teacher training program graduate annually from the College of Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas; and
Whereas, Only an estimated 80 percent of the total of those who have completed teacher training programs remain in the State of Nevada; and
Whereas, School districts in this state must, as a consequence, hire an increasing number of teachers from out of state to fill the necessary teaching positions; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of Nevada, the Assembly Concurring, That the Legislative Commission is hereby directed to conduct an interim study regarding the projected need for teachers in the public school system; and be it further
Resolved, That the study include an evaluation of:
1. The projected number of teachers that will be required to be hired to meet the needs of the public schools of this state over the next decade;
2. The current enrollment of students in the schools of education in the University and Community College System of Nevada and the ability of the university system to accommodate an increase in students seeking to become teachers;
3. Whether the projected enrollment of students in the schools of education is anticipated to meet the needs for new teachers; and
4. If an increase in enrollment in students entering such programs is anticipated, the advisability and cost of expanding teacher training programs; and be it further
Resolved, That no action may be taken by the study committee on recommended legislation unless it receives a majority vote of the Senators on the committee and a majority vote of the Assemblymen on the committee; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislative Commission submit a report of its findings and any recommended legislation to the 70th Session of the Nevada Legislature.