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Bill would create statewide data dashboard, push open educational resources and study student basic‑needs in Nevada
Summary
Assembly Bill 345 would create a publicly accessible dashboard housed at NSHE linking K‑12, higher education and workforce outcome data, require a systemwide policy on low‑cost and no‑cost course materials, and direct an interim study on student food and financial insecurity.
Carson City — Assembly Bill 345, presented to the Senate Committee on Education by representatives of the Vegas Chamber and student leaders, would create a publicly accessible dashboard to aggregate student outcome data across Nevada’s education system, require systemwide policy on low‑cost and no‑cost instructional materials, and commission an interim study on food and financial insecurity among postsecondary students.
Trevor Parrish, manager of government affairs for the Vegas Chamber, told the committee the dashboard would be housed within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) and “will display aggregated student outcome data … to capture student outcomes as they transition into Nevada's workforce.” Kevin Osorio Hernandez, a student leader and recent NSHE graduate who helped craft the bill language, said students consistently raised food insecurity and textbook affordability as barriers to persistence and completion; he described AB 345 as “student driven and centered.”
Key provisions described by presenters and supporters include:
- A public dashboard hosted by NSHE to link and aggregate K‑12, higher education, and workforce outcome data to help policymakers, educators and families understand pathways and outcomes. Witnesses cited examples of other states with similar systems, including Indiana and Washington.
- A Board of Regents requirement to implement a systemwide policy promoting low‑cost and no‑cost course materials, including open educational resources, which supporters said would lower costs for students.
- An interim study examining the root causes of temporary student withdrawal tied to unmet basic needs (food and financial insecurity) and evaluating interventions; one strategy mentioned would allow students with outstanding debts and fees to register for courses to remain on track toward graduation.
Representatives from NSHE, the University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada State University and Nevada faculty groups testified in support, emphasizing that coordinated data and affordability policies could guide funding and improve student outcomes. Anthony Curry of Opportunity180 and other student‑advocacy witnesses argued the dashboard would give Nevada a clearer picture of how high school preparation aligns with postsecondary success.
No committee vote or formal action was recorded in the hearing transcript.
Why it matters: Supporters said a linked data dashboard and affordability policy would make state funding and interventions more targeted and could reduce barriers that lead students to leave college. The interim study component is intended to produce policy recommendations to address food and financial insecurity among NSHE students.
What's next: The committee took testimony and closed the hearing; no vote was recorded in this session.
