Going into this new year, our nation is still recovering from the exhaustion of 2020 and we’re now faced with the emotions from the unimaginable events at our nation’s capital within the first week of 2021. However, even in the midst of all it, we must also bring our focus to the issues within our state that still need our urgent attention and support, including that of our public education, an institution that has been tragically undermined. We must remain vigilant, focused and dedicated for Nevada’s students and our schools.

With the pandemic being a root source to last year’s challenges in education, the arrival of the vaccine offers hope, but the societal ramifications within Nevada’s public schools are only starting to be felt. I am calling for the support of all of our students and all of our public schools, be they traditional district public schools or public charter schools. This is a time to come together because the challenges are so great that we need a united effort in order to meet them.

Public charter schools in Nevada have stepped up to take on this great challenge of serving our state’s youth and families throughout this unprecedented time, and in many cases they have served as a life raft for those that have needed them most.

But this is not just about public charter schools. Students in Nevada need all the support they can get. The situation is dire. In addition to the strains being felt in every other sector throughout the state, public education is struggling. An overwhelming percentage of our state’s students have been in an all virtual education delivery model, with at best a hybrid format for some. Not surprisingly we are now seeing data that indicates one-third of all Washoe County students have a failing grade in a core course. This is consistent with a national report, which showed similar numbers, all more than double during a normal year, with English Language Learners (ELL) and students from low-income households being affected even greater than any other subgroup. In spite of herculean efforts by staff, teachers, and families, kids are falling behind and it is no surprise that the pain is being felt most by communities that can afford it less.  Public charter schools have made a deliberate effort to specifically reach low-income and ELL students. For families that have less or at times no options, having improved access to public charter schools is a good thing, particularly now when such options are needed most.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of misconceptions, some deliberately spread about public charter schools. To begin with, many do not realize that public charter schools are in fact, public schools, open to everyone, tuition-free. In many public charter schools in Nevada, 80% or more of the student population comes from within a 3-mile radius of the school. In recent years, thanks to efforts like those of the late Assemblyman Tyrone Thompson, these schools are placed strategically in low income neighborhoods, with the intention to serve the students in that area, but to also welcome students from outside the zip code, on an equal and fair basis.

These schools have proven to meet local and national academic standards, graduation rates and enrollment and in most cases have far exceeded those standards. Public charters in Nevada are measured against the same parameters of other public schools in the district, including state tests. Public charter schools that do not receive above a 3-star rating based on academic performance, risk losing their charter. To meet the needs of their students, many schools create non-traditional and unique learning methods to give students the best possible education and pathways to success.

And these schools are performing incredibly well. Mater Academy Mountain Vista, located in one of lowest-income neighborhoods in the valley, was the first school to receive a 5-star rating in its area. And Mater is certainly not alone. Democracy Prep at the Agassi campus also recorded a 5-star rating for its middle school. In fact, these are just two of the high performing public charter that are in high-poverty areas. Others include Equipo Academy (5-star middle school, 4-star high school); Nevada Prep (5-star middle school); and Mater Academy Northern Nevada (5-star middle school). 

Public charter schools have proven that they are part of the solution. But we recognize we are only part of it and public education as a whole needs more support. Working together with our traditional district public schools, we must rise to the occasion and meet this difficult moment by putting petty differences aside and focusing on the students first. This is not a time to pit traditional district schools against public charters. It is not an either-or-situation. Our students need all the help they can get. The only way we will have a chance to meet this challenge is to unite as a state under a common purpose.

We need all hands on deck. During a time of crisis, we as a state, do not have the luxury of being able to engage in political gamesmanship and infighting over public education. School districts need help, public charter schools need help and during this upcoming legislative session our collective energies and political capital must be spent in meeting the desperate needs of our state’s children.

Victor Salcido is the executive director of the Charter School Association of Nevada.