State board approves NEPF field study expansion, agrees to co-lead assessment procurement and advances superintendent search timeline

CARSON CITY, Nev. — The Nevada State Board of Education on June 25 voted to continue and expand a field study of a redesigned Nevada Educator Performance Framework (NEPF), signaled a collaborative role in the upcoming procurement of the state'summative assessments and finalized next steps in a public search for the state superintendent.

The board voted to extend the NEPF redesign field study into the 2025'26 school year and allow additional districts to opt in so the department can monitor year'over'year progress and gather broader feedback. "I would move that we continue the field study and leave it open for additional districts to opt in to the study," Member Walker said before the board approved the motion.

Why it matters: The NEPF redesign is intended to streamline evaluation paperwork and refocus educator evaluations on professional conversations and observable practice. The department reported that the pilot year cut required documentation and reduced form length, but participants asked for more training and examples to ensure scoring consistency across schools. Expanding the field study preserves the pilot structure while collecting more data needed before any statewide adoption.

Assessment procurement and Read-by-Grade-3 guidance

Board members also discussed the state'level contract that will supply Nevada's federally required summative assessments in English language arts, mathematics and science for grades the state must test. Interim Superintendent Steve Canavero and assessment staff explained legal and technical constraints, including a state law that has in the past required the department to publish school performance framework results on a fixed schedule and an SB 75 requirement limiting testing until at least 120 days of instruction have elapsed.

Districts and board members pressed for clarity on a newly enacted law (Senate Bill 460) that allows districts to choose an approved Read-by-Grade-3 assessment instead of the statewide assessment. School districts that opt to use an alternative assessment would be required to use an approved instrument and an approved cut score that the state board must accept to preserve cross'district comparability.

Department staff described a practical timeline: the state would identify any eligible alternative assessment and set a comparable cut score. If the board approves an alternative and cut score before fall administrations, a district could opt out of the statewide contract and be reimbursed for its share up to what the state contract would have provided.

Board'role in procurement

State purchasing staff described how the board can influence the request for proposals (RFP): the board may help define the scope of work and selection criteria, recommend members for the evaluation committee, and formally approve an awarded contract. The board voted to pursue a co'lead role with the Department of Education on the assessment solicitation (option 2 as presented to the board) so board members will participate in stakeholder work groups and review selection criteria and the scope of work before the solicitation is issued.

Superintendent search and job posting

The board moved to post the state superintendent vacancy on July 1 with a 20'day application window and asked staff to include additional, board'requested preferences in the posting (for example, Nevada context familiarity and a public'education commitment). The board designated Member Amber Braxton to perform a final review of the posting and asked staff to begin collecting candidate materials.

Board members also agreed on a process for screening and interviews: each board member will be provided access to redacted application materials once they are received, the board will use a rubric-based review to identify semifinalists, and the full board will finalize interview questions at the July 30 meeting. The board set a target timeline of late July for shortlist creation and a possible special meeting in early August for finalist interviews.

Other notable actions and department updates

The board received an overview of a recently published efficiency assessment of the Nevada Department of Education produced by an external firm. Interim Superintendent Canavero said the department has already requested additional positions in the biennial budget and that the 2025 legislative session approved some new positions aligned to the audit's recommendations. He also said the department will catalog required reports and align data flows in order to reduce duplicative district reporting.

Public comment and next steps

Public commenters and two emailed submissions urged careful attention to assessment timing, staffing and clarity of public communications. The board will reconvene on July 30 for a public meeting that will include final work on interview questions and next'steps for the assessment procurement.