for Nevada Accountability Portal
Nevada Report Card Frequently Asked Questions
About the Nevada Report Card
- How much are you involved in your child's education?
- How are your child and your child's school doing in math or science?
- Are kids in your child's school reading and writing at grade level?
- Are kids in your child's school performing at grade level in the tests?
- How are students of different ethnicities doing?
- How is your high school student doing in terms of getting college and career ready?
- What are your student's plans after high school?
- Why should you attend your child's first parent teacher conference?
- What special education services might be available for your child?
- How can you help your high school student to graduate on time?
- What do you know about your school's discipline policy?
- How is your child feeling about bullying and other things about his/her school?
- How are you as a parent involved in decision making about your child's school?
What is the Nevada Accountability Portal and why does it exist?
The Nevada Accountability Portal is a single source for information about the public schools and school districts across Nevada. In compliance with the collection of the data required by both federal and state law, this website provides state, district and school related accountability data for various school years going back to 2003. Information found on the website includes student achievement data, school rating information, high school graduation rates, student-teacher ratios, educator qualifications, school discipline data, student enrollment numbers and much more. The portal consists of the following programs: Nevada Report Card (also known as the Annual Reports of Accountability), Nevada School Performance Framework “NSPF” (also known as the school star rating reports) and the Nevada Growth Model.
How do I find my school or district?
To view information specific to a school or district, select a district and/or school name from the drop-down menu and click “Go”. Use the year drop down to view data for districts and schools for prior years.
Where does the data come from?
The Nevada Department of Education collects most of the data in the Nevada Accountability Portal from school districts through data collection applications and data systems such as the state’s student information system, throughout the school year.
What information will I find about each school/district/state?
The Nevada Accountability Portal provides comprehensive information about every public school and district in the state. “At A Glance” provides a dashboard view summarizing important data for the school. The “Data Details” section provides comparison or trend data for each applicable data set for the selected entity.
Why can’t I find my child’s test scores?
Individual test scores are confidential, by law, which protects your child’s privacy. Contact your child’s teacher for information about your child’s scores and academic progress.
How do we know that the information in the Nevada Accountability Portal is accurate?
While NDE engages in stringent and reasonable efforts to include accurate and up-to-date information on the portal website, users should note that majority of the school and district data reported on this website were submitted by local school district officials. Therefore, data reported on this web site reflect district-submitted information, including any local corrections, received by the NDE by its reporting deadline.
As a parent, how can I use the information on the Nevada Accountability Portal?
Accountability Portal is designed to inform parents and the community, and can be used in many ways. You can use it to understand how your child’s school is doing and where it can improve. You can learn how to help your child improve and be on track to graduate. Accountability data can assist you to learn what steps the school is taking to help your student improve and succeed. You can interpret your child’s achievement on academic assessments that are aligned with State academic achievement standards. As you navigate through the portal, consider the following questions and think about how much you know:
Where should I send questions or comments about the Nevada Accountability Portal?
Please send any questions or comments about website design, content, or data to adaminfo@doe.nv.gov
Where should I report technical issues with the website?
Please send any questions regarding website technical problems to adaminfo@doe.nv.gov
What does “data suppressed due to FERPA regulations” mean?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) require the use of data disclosure avoidance methods in order to protect student privacy if numbers are less than a certain value. The Nevada Department of Education has chosen to apply the suppression to the data elements which are related to the student educational outcomes. In a nutshell, suppression is applied when the counts are less than 10 and when the percentage values are less than 5% and/or greater than 95%.
What is disaggregated data?
To disaggregate means to separate a whole into its parts. In education data reporting, this term means that results are sorted by groups of students and can be broken into different combinations of the groups. This practice allows parents and teachers to see how each student group is performing.
Where can I find more information about State assessments?
More details about the Nevada Statewide Assessments can be found on the NDE Assessment Page
What is the “Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate”?
A graduation cohort is defined as the set of students that enter ninth grade in a given school year. Adjusted cohort graduation rate is the percentage of these students who graduate within a particular time frame, such as four years. The fall of 2011 was the first time the NDE reported the four year graduation rates for students of the graduating class of 2011 who entered high school in the 2007-08 school year. These rates are reported at the State, district and school levels, and are available on the portal website. More information can be found in the adjusted cohort graduation technical guidance document.
Where can I find more information about Nevada school districts and school types in Nevada?
You can find information about school districts in Nevada; and school types on the School and District Information via the Nevada School and District Information link or by visiting the State dashboard State dashboard and clicking on “Schools”.
What is the Nevada Growth Model Website?
The Nevada Growth Model website is part of the Nevada Accountability Portal. It contains data regarding student growth for three annual, state-administered assessments for Math, English Language Arts (ELA), and English Language Proficiency. See “What assessments are used to measure student growth?” for more information about these assessments. The Nevada Growth Model is a website that displays growth data in bubble charts at three levels: school level, grade level, and student level. These bubble charts allow comparisons of schools across districts and the state and students across grade levels in a single school. For more information, see the “What information is available at the school level?”, “What information is available at grade level?”, and “What information is available at student level?” for more information
How does a user get access to the Nevada Growth Model website?
Anyone can access school-level information on the Nevada Growth Model website by visiting here and selecting a district or all schools in the state. Grade-level and student-level data are limited to state and local education agency professionals who have a legitimate educational interest. To access grade-level and student-level data, users should contact their district’s Student Accountability Information Network (SAIN) representative.
What information is available at the school level?
At the school-level view, information provided includes school name, school’s proficiency rate on a given assessment, the school’s Median Growth Percentile (MGP), the number of students assessed, and the percent of students meeting their growth targets or Adequate Growth Percentiles (AGPs).
What information is available at grade level?
At the grade-level view, information includes student name, grade level, scale score on most recent assessment, student growth percentile (SGP), and whether the student met their growth target or AGP.
What information is available at student level?
At the student-level view, score and achievement level history for a given assessment are displayed. Student-level reports are available for download, which gives score and achievement level history, as well as growth history.
What assessments are used to measure student growth?
For academic growth, the Math and ELA Criterion-Reference Test (CRT) are used to measure growth for grades 4 - 8. The current assessments used for CRT in Nevada are the Smarter Balanced Assessments. Students must have at least two consecutive years of CRT results, in different grade levels, in order to receive any type of growth score. For English Language Proficiency growth, the ELPA is used. The current assessment used for ELPA in Nevada is the WIDA Assessment. Students must have at least two consecutive years of ELPA assessment results, in different grade levels, in order to receive any type of growth score. Students who assess using the Nevada Alternative Assessment (NAA) will not receive growth results as growth is not measured for the NAA. Growth is not measured for science nor ACT.
What is student growth?
Academic growth is a student’s progress toward reaching or maintaining proficiency on their Criterion-Referenced Test (CRT) and English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA). Their growth is measured with respect to their academic peers.
What is an academic peer group?
An academic peer group is a group of students that have the same or similar score histories on the CRT and ELPA. This is the reference group that a student’s growth is measured against. An academic peer group is comprised of students from all over the state. There are many academic peer groups throughout the state. For example, a third grader who scores a 2500 on the CRT Math assessment will be grouped with other third graders throughout the state who also scored 2500.
How is a student’s academic growth measured?
Students are placed in academic peer groups based upon their score histories. Once students are assessed, their scores are compared to everyone else in their academic peer group and each student earns a student growth percentile (SGP). As an example, a student with an SGP of 75 showed more growth (received a higher score) than 75% of their academic peers.
How is growth used in the Nevada School Performance Framework (NSPF)?
Growth is an Indicator for the elementary and middle school frameworks in the NSPF. There are four growth measures: ELA Median Growth Percentile (MGP), Math MGP, percent meeting ELA Adequate Growth Percentile (AGP), and percent meeting Math AGP. MGP is the median SGP for a school, based on what students earned in their individual academic peer groups. AGP is the minimum SGP a student must earn to reach or maintain proficiency on a state assessment in a given time frame. Growth is also used in two other Indicators for the NSPF: English Language Proficiency and Closing Opportunity Gaps. In the English Language Proficiency Measure/Indicator, a school is rated based upon the percentage of students meeting growth targets or meeting their AGP. For the Closing Opportunity Gaps Indicator, there are two Measures: Closing Opportunity Gaps ELA Measure and Closing Opportunity Gaps Math Measure. A school is rated based upon the percentage of students who were non-proficient on the prior year’s assessments and are meeting their growth targets or AGP.
What is the Nevada School Performance Framework (NSPF)?
The Nevada School Performance Framework (NSPF) is Nevada’s public-school rating system developed in accordance with the federal Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 385A.600. It was designed by Nevadans for Nevada schools. The NSPF classifies schools within a five-star performance rating system. The NSPF incorporates performance on multiple measures of achievement including proficiency, student growth, growth to target, reductions in achievement gaps, and college-and career-readiness indicators, including graduation rate and scores on national college-readiness assessments.
What is an NSPF Index Score?
The NSPF index score is a composite of several performance indicators, each worth a predetermined maximum number of points. Each performance indicator is itself a composition of multiple factors. The total index score is the sum of the points earned across all indicators which is then measured against the star rating criteria. Index scores are associated with star ratings, or classifications. For example, a school that earns 81 index points is classified as a five-star school.
How is the NSPF Index Score Computed?
The NSPF index score for a school is based on a scale from 1 to 100. Index scores are comprised of the total points earned across several indices. Elementary and middle school indices consist of student growth, proficiency, performance gaps and other indicators while high school indices consist of student proficiency, English Learner growth, graduation, career and college readiness and other indicators.
What is an Adjusted Index Score?
The adjusted index score is applied to Nevada schools that are missing data for one or more performance measures. This is typically due to small student populations for the measure in question. An adjusted index score allows all schools to be rated on an index score out of 100.
Why Did my School Receive an Adjusted Index Score?
Due to school size limitations, some schools earn an adjusted index score. Thresholds, called n-counts, are established prior to computing index points for each performance indicator. If the n-count for a specific measure falls below the predetermined limits, the value is not computed. Therefore, schools missing data one or more performance measures due to an insufficient number of students will receive an adjusted index score.
How are Adjusted Index Scores Computed?
An adjusted index score is calculated by taking the school’s total points earned and dividing that number by the total points possible for the school based on applicable performance measures. That number is then multiplied by 100. The number shown will be the school’s total adjusted index score.
What is an NSPF Star-Rating?
NSPF star ratings are generally referred to as school “classifications”. All schools are classified within a five-star performance rating system. Each star-rating is indictive of a school’s performance status from superior performance (five-star rating) to a school identified as not having met the state’s standard for performance (one-star rating).
How are Star-Ratings Determined?
The NSPF index score is divided into five score ranges for each school level (elementary, middle and high schools) that correspond to star ratings. Schools receive points based on their student performance on framework measures. These points are then added together to produce an overall index score for each school. This score is converted into a star rating. For any additional information, please visit the NSPF Procedures Manual.
What is a Five-Star School?
A five-Star school is a superior school that exceeds expectations for all students and subgroups on every indicator category with little or no exception. The school does not fail to meet expectations for any group on any indicator. The all-students group exceeds expectations for academic achievement and growth. Subgroups consistently meet or exceed expectations for academic achievement. Each subgroup achieves target performance for math and ELA with very little exception. Exceptions are very close to the target. A five-star school is among the best schools in the state in closing opportunity gaps and the percentage of EL students reaching growth targets is among the best in the state.
What is a Four-Star School?
A four-star school is a commendable school that has performed well for all students and subgroups and demonstrates satisfactory to strong academic performance for all students. The all-students group meets expectations for academic achievement and growth. Each subgroup achieves target performance for math and ELA with little exception. No subgroup is far below the target. A four-star school is among the best schools in the state in closing opportunity gaps with little exception. The percentage of EL students reaching growth targets is among the best in the state.
What is a Three-Star School?
A three-star school is an adequate school that has met the state’s standard for performance. The all-students group has met expectations for academic achievement or growth. Subgroups generally achieve target performance for math and ELA. A three-star school exhibits typical or better performance in closing opportunity gaps. The percentage of EL students reaching growth targets is generally consistent with the state median.
What is a Two-Star School?
A two-Star school has partially met the state’s standard for performance. Students and subgroups often meet expectations for academic performance or growth but may have multiple areas that require improvement. Areas requiring significant improvement are uncommon. The all-students group is not far below standard with respect to proficiency or growth. Subgroups are inconsistent in achieving target performance for math and ELA. Some subgroups may be far below the target. A two-star school may be inconsistent in meeting expectations for closing opportunity gaps and the percentage of EL students reaching growth targets is not far below the state’s standard for meeting expectations.
What is a One-Star School?
A One-star school that has not met the state’s standard for performance. Students and subgroups are inconsistent in achieving performance standards. A one-star school has multiple areas that require improvement including an urgent need to address areas that are significantly below standard.
How are School Star-Ratings Reported?
The NSPF star-rating report is compiled and published for each level of an individual school: elementary, middle, and high. The NSPF report provides actionable feedback to schools, districts, policy makers, and other stakeholders to help determine if current practices are aligned to improve educational outcomes for all students.
When and Where are School Ratings Published?
The NSPF star ratings, which are based on the school’s performance in the immediately preceding school year, are made publicly available no later than September 15th. NSPF star-rating reports for schools are published on the NDE Accountability Portal. Use the search feature and pull-down menus to find your school and view your school's NSPF report on the NDE Accountability Portal. School rating reports for prior school years are also available on the portal. State and District level data for all schools may also be downloaded as an Excel spreadsheet
What is the minimum N-Size for NSPF?
N-size is the number of students in each reporting group. The minimum n-size of student records required for calculation in each measure of the NSPF is ten (10). This n-size of 10 is required to determine statistically reliable measures in the accountability system. Performance on each measure is reported for the “all students” group as well as each of the ten (10) subgroups identified in the data disaggregation section. To ensure individual students cannot be identified, data for subgroups with less than ten (10) students is suppressed and therefore not reported. In instances where the n-size in a specific indicator or measure is 10 or less, the school’s star rating report will indicate the insufficient n-size.
What is Pooled Proficiency?
Pooled proficiency is a Measure under the Academic Achievement Indicator for elementary and middle schools that combines the Mathematics, ELA, and Science assessment results for a total proficiency rate. This enables the number of students participating in each assessment to contribute proportionately to the school’s overall proficiency rate and may help schools meet the minimum n-size required to receive a proficiency rate.
What is Pooling?
Some schools in Nevada do not have a large enough student population to be reliably rated but are otherwise traditional public schools. Up to three years of student achievement data are combined to establish a sufficient n-size in order to rate this group of small schools under the NSPF. This method accounts for the year-to-year fluctuations in n-size for these small schools.
What are Test Participation Penalties?
Participation on state assessments is important because it helps ensures equal access to educational opportunity as well as well as enables meaningful measurement of academic performance. To ensure that this high standard continues, Nevada has established participation rate penalties for schools that test fewer than 95 percent of its eligible student population in Math and ELA. Schools failing to meet an overall and/or subgroup participation rate of 95 percent and failing to meet the average calculated participation rate of 95 percent over the most recent two or three years for the first year receive a “Participation Warning”. No index points are deducted for a Participation Warning. Schools failing to meet the required participation rates for a second consecutive year, or any consecutive year thereafter, receive a “Participation Penalty” of up to 6 points on the Academic Achievement Indicator, based on the number of subgroups failing to meet the participation criteria.
Why Do Some Rates on NSPF Reports Differ From the Rates on the Nevada Report Card?
ESSA requires states to count students differently for the State’s Accountability System and the State Report Card. Data associated with a school’s star rating under the NSPF must be based on students who have been enrolled in a given school for at least half of the school year. Results for all students (not just students who have been enrolled at least half a year) must be reported on the Nevada Report Card. This may result in reported rate differences between the NSPF and Nevada Report Card.
What is Closing Opportunity (Achievement) Gaps?
Student achievement targets to meet proficiency on the State assessments within three years are determined for each elementary and middle school student. These targets are called Adequate Growth Percentiles or AGP. Reduction in Achievement Gap is based on the percent of students in grades 4 – 8, who did not achieve proficiency in the prior year’s ELA and Mathematics state assessments but met their AGP for the current school year. Students who did not pass the CRT from the previous year are identified and the percentage who met their AGP (i.e. target) is determined.
What is Annual Meaningful Differentiation (AMD) of Schools?
The NSPF star-rating system allows the Nevada Department of Education (NDE) to identify schools needing additional supports to improve student outcomes. This includes low-performing schools, schools with consistently underperforming subgroups, or schools with very low performing subgroups. The NSPF aligns the designations for schools to the delivery of appropriate supports and rewards by identifying schools for Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI), Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI). Some schools identified for TSI may also be identified for Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI/ATSI). Schools can only receive one designation at a time and designation criteria are determined in the following order: CSI, TSI, and then TSI/ATSI. Schools are identified for supports under these categories annually and, once identified, remain as a cohort for a three-year improvement process.
How is a School Identified for CSI?
Title I schools that qualify for a star rating are rank ordered from the lowest to the highest index score by school level (elementary, middle and high). The 5th percentile of index scores is identified from this rank order. A Title I school that is performing at or below this index score is identified as CSI. In addition, a high school with a graduation rate of less than 67% is identified for CSI. A Title I school designated for ATSI that does not meet requirements for exiting that designation after implementing the required improvement plan for three years will be designated for CSI. CSI schools are evaluated for exit after a three-year improvement process.
How is a School Identified for TSI?
Schools that have one or more underperforming subgroups in the Academic Achievement Indicator and two other Indicators are identified for TSI. “Consistently underperforming” is defined as a single student group being at or below a 15th percentile of the statewide all student group within the same Measure for two consecutive years. The subgroup n-size required for TSI consideration is 25. Schools are designated as TSI annually, and it is up to districts to determine exit criteria for TSI schools.
How is a School Identified for ATSI?
A school is designated as ATSI if it has any subgroup (n-size ≥25) of students whose performance, on their own, would lead to identification for CSI. To determine this, each subgroup at each school is provided with an adjusted NSPF Index Score per NSPF rules, and those scores are compared to the 5th percentile CSI index scores. Schools that have groups performing at or below that 5th percentile will be designated as ATSI. ATSI schools are evaluated for exit after a three-year improvement process.
How Do I Find My School's NSPF Star-Rating Report?
A school’s NSPF star-rating report may be accessed via Nevada’s Accountability Portal. The school’s report may be located by using either the “District”, “School” or “Search” options located in the center of the screen. The school can be located by typing the school’s name, or part of the name, in the “Search” box and selecting the school from the list generated by the search feature. The school may also be located by clicking on the “District” option and selecting the desired district; the school can then be selected from a list of all schools in the district in the drop-down list under the “School” option. Once the desired school has been selected, click on “Go” and the school’s “at-a-glance” information will be displayed. The school’s comprehensive star-rating report can then be accessed by clicking on the “School Rating Report” tab. A school may have a separate report for different school levels (elementary, middle, or high) depending on the range of grades within the school.
How Can I Print or Save a Copy of My School’s Report?
The school’s comprehensive NSPF star-rating report can be printed or saved as a PDF by using the “download” option at the top right corner of the screen.
Where Can I Find Additional Data About School Performance (Nevada Report Card)?
In compliance with the collection of data required by both federal and state law, the Nevada Accountability Portal website will provide you with state, district and school level data accessible via customizable reports. Please access the site via http://nevadareportcard.nv.gov/di