Bill would shift Nevada CTE funding to advanced‑course enrollment, sponsors say

Senate Bill 45 would change how Nevada allocates state career and technical education (CTE) funds by basing the state match on students enrolled in advanced CTE courses (level 2 and above), the Nevada Department of Education told the Assembly Committee on Education.

Anna Reynolds, director of the Office of Career Readiness, Adult Learning and Education Options at the Nevada Department of Education, said the current formula counts all students taking CTE courses and that the proposed revision would better reflect the higher costs of advanced courses that deliver industry‑recognized credentials, dual credit and work‑based learning. "By basing allocations on advanced course enrollment, the bill better supports the costs associated with these high value programs, ensuring more equitable funding and access to these essential career pathways," Reynolds said.

Reynolds said the new calculation would begin with enrollment counts from the 2025‑26 school year and would affect fiscal year 2027 allocations. Under the proposal, enrollment counts for allocation would exclude level 1 course enrollment; because fewer students are enrolled in level 2 and above, the per‑student allocation would rise and districts would have an incentive to encourage students to continue into concentrator programs. Reynolds told members the total state money available would not change; the bill changes only the formula used to distribute that money.

The bill also addresses duplicative reporting for work‑based learning. Nevada currently requires a report to the state board and legislature on or before Jan. 15 of each odd‑numbered year. Federal reporting under Perkins V will require the same data annually by Jan. 31 beginning with program year 2024‑25. Reynolds said the bill's current text would provide the federally required data to the state board and legislature to eliminate duplicate reporting; the data will be publicly available on the Perkins Collaborative Resource Network once approved by the U.S. Department of Education.

Supporters testified in favor of SB 45. Susan Keema, executive director of the Nevada Association of School Superintendents, said her organization supports the bill; Trevor Parrish of the Vegas Chamber said the change would help align funding with workforce needs. Committee members asked for example allocation models; Reynolds said sample allocation comparisons based on level 2+ enrollment had been generated and would be provided to committee staff.

The committee closed the hearing on SB 45 without a recorded vote in the transcript.