Nevada State Superintendent Dr. Victor Wakefield says persistent concerns about literacy, math performance, and uneven instructional quality remain top priorities for the state after completing a statewide listening tour spanning eight school districts, serving 400 to 280,000 students.
Wakefield met with educators, students, administrators, and school board members during the tour and said the conversations revealed both ongoing challenges and “bright spots” where strong leadership and effective interventions are improving student outcomes. He emphasized that the Nevada Department of Education will continue focusing on five strategic priorities: Strong Foundations, Empowering Pathways, Equipped Educators and Leaders, Informed and Connected Families, and Aligned Systems.
“Every day, students in our state should be building knowledge of the world, engaging with grade-level content and instruction, solving complex problems, and making progress toward their postsecondary goals,” Wakefield said. “Every action we take as a state will be relentlessly focused on making this vision true for our students.”
As part of the department’s leadership updates, Dr. Torrey Palmer began her role as Deputy Superintendent for Academics and Student Achievement on March 30. Palmer, a former Washoe County School District teacher, co-founded the nationally recognized Core Task Project focused on literacy standards and previously worked with The New Teacher Project (TNTP) on curriculum and instructional strategy efforts nationwide. Most recently, she served as assistant principal at Mater Academy of Northern Nevada. Palmer earned her doctorate from the University of Nevada, Reno, and previously competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics and World Rowing Championships.
In recognition of the Month of the Military Child, the department named 36 new schools as 2026 Nevada Purple Star Schools, honoring campuses that demonstrate strong support for military-connected students and families. “Purple Star Schools set the standard for ensuring these students experience consistency, strong relationships, and access to high-quality learning no matter where they are stationed,” Wakefield said.
Governor Joe Lombardo and Wakefield also visited Arturo Cambeiro Elementary School to celebrate Nevada Reading Week, reading to classrooms and highlighting the importance of early literacy. “When it comes to educating the next generation of Nevadans, we cannot overlook the importance of reading,” Lombardo said. “Nevada Reading Week gives us the opportunity to inspire our students and celebrate the educators dedicated to nurturing a lifelong love of reading.”
The department also announced up to $247,860 in funding to support a joint school-improvement pilot between the Clark County School District and the Clark County Education Association, made possible by Senate Bill 460. Launching in the 2026–27 school year at Desert Pines and Western high schools, along with their feeder schools, the pilot will focus on pre-K, early literacy, middle school math, and college and career readiness. The initiative aims to boost student success through added learning time, tutoring, and teacher support, and could expand to additional schools across the state.
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