Nevada Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

Releases Report on Remote Learning and Equity in Education

The Nevada Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights released a report following a series of web hearings to understand the impact of remote learning and equity in education, especially among students in K through 16 schools with disabilities and students of color, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Committee heard from the Nevada State Board of Education, Nevada System of Higher Education, Nevada K-12 administrators, the legal community, educators in various institutions in urban and rural environments, behavioral health professionals, parents, and students.

In this report, the Committee received testimony from speakers in the following areas: difficulties with technology literacy and professional development for educators, increasing behavioral health needs, learning loss, access for students with disabilities and English language learners, the role of public/private partnerships, the lack of childcare, and questions about future options to choose distance learning.

Through this testimony, the Committee identified fourteen findings, some of which include the urgency of addressing the mental health of students and their families; and strained education support services for students, especially those with behavioral health and language needs.

The report also includes recommendations directed to the Commission asking for corrective actions from the state stakeholders including the Nevada Governor, County Commission Chairs and Municipal Mayors, Nevada Department of Education, Nevada school district superintendent and school board of trustees’ presidents, and Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents with a goal of helping address the Committee’s concerns.

Nevada Advisory Committee Chair, Wendell Blaylock said: “Our Committee’s report exposes the impact of remote learning on Education Equity and provides recommendations to federal and state officials to address these concerns and look forward to improving the health and well being of our students especially during this unprecedented time.”

Link to Nevada Advisory Committee Report: https://www.usccr.gov/files/2021-11/nv-sac-remote-learning-and-equity-in-education-report.pdf