Nevada education committee approves one-year Washoe pilot to let districts choose K-3 reading test

The Nevada Senate Committee on Education voted unanimously to amend and pass Assembly Bill 386 on a motion to authorize a one-year pilot in Washoe County that would allow the district to administer a K-3 reading assessment approved by the Nevada Department of Education (NDE).

Assemblymember Heather Golding, sponsor of AB386, said the bill “gives school districts the ability to choose a K-3 reading assessment tool that works best for the students, families, and schools in the district.” The committee’s amendment replaces broader statutory authority with a targeted, one-year Washoe pilot and requires reporting of results to NDE and the Joint Interim Standing Committee on Education.

The pilot was pitched as a way to reduce duplicate testing while preserving statewide oversight and comparability. Dylan Shaver, representing Washoe County School District, summarized the bill’s intent: “It devolves the authority to select an assessment to the districts while still requiring NDE to establish regulations and parameters for the data those assessments must collect.” NDE staff told the committee the State Board of Education would maintain a list of eligible assessments and set cut scores to make cross-district comparisons possible.

Supporters argued the change would cut testing time and produce more actionable classroom data. Kalen Evans, president of the Washoe Education Association, told the committee that teachers and schools face multiple assessment systems and that I‑Ready (one alternate vendor cited by district presenters) provides “more tangible” feedback teachers can use to target instruction. Sarah Adler, representing northern charter schools that use I‑Ready, said the interim assessment “tells you where your child's weakness is and directs you to the type of instruction that is needed.”

State education officials emphasized safeguards. Amelia Tibo of the Nevada Department of Education said the bill’s approach requires NDE to develop a list of eligible assessments and to set cut scores: “The State Board of Education would develop a list of eligible assessments that districts could then opt into.” Interim State Superintendent Steve Canavero explained that the statewide assessment (MAP, under the state contract) has been used to identify students who qualify for Read by Grade 3 supports and that any alternate assessment would need an equivalent cut score for intervention decisions.

Committee members pressed for timing and comparability details. Several senators suggested a pilot approach before enacting a permanent statutory change; the amendment the committee approved reflects that compromise. Under the adopted amendment, Washoe County would be allowed to administer an alternative assessment after NDE approves the assessment and establishes cut scores and reporting rules; the pilot also requires the district to report results to NDE and the legislative interim committee.

The committee’s final action was a motion to “amend and do pass,” moved by Vice Chair Senator Buck and seconded by Senator Cruz Crawford. The committee recorded the vote as unanimous in favor.

The amendment is intended to allow Washoe County to avoid double testing in the current school year while enabling NDE to collect implementation data to inform broader decisions about statewide assessment policy. The committee chair said the measure balances local flexibility with state oversight and positioned the pilot as a way to gather data for future sessions.

The committee opened and closed the hearing with no in-person opposition; several education groups and district representatives testified in support. The amendment and do-pass recommendation will be reported to the floor for further action.