Quality of Life Indicators

college level remediation -- new 8/11

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According to the December 2010, Washoe K-16 Data Profile, prepared by The Education Collaborative of Washoe County, the percentage of WCSD graduates needing remedial coursework in English or math, is much lower than the percentage of students enrolled in these courses. Consequently, remediation needed based on placement scores (ACT, SAT or Accuplacer) is now tracked vs. enrollment in remedial courses.

According to the Nevada Department of Education, Annual Accountability Report, just about half of WCSD graduates enrolled in the Nevada System of Higher Education needed remedial coursework in 2008-09.

According to the October 2006, Washoe K-16 Data Profile, 30% of 2005 WCSD graduates enrolled at UNR in the fall of 2005, enrolled in a remedial class; and 67% at TMCC. Of the 2005 WCSD graduates, 52% were eligible for a Millennium Scholarship, with a GPA of 3.1. According to a 2006 UNR research report, between 30-50% of WCSD graduates from 1996-2005, needed remedial courses in math, English or both.

Just over 30% of students graduating from Nevada high schools in 2002 had achieved “readiness” to attend UNR or TMCC.

Source: Greene, J.P., & Winters, M.A. (2005, February). Public High School Graduation and College. Readiness criteria are based on meeting minimum admission standards at least selective four-year colleges:

1) regular high school diploma; 2) passing 4 years of English, 3 years of math, and 2 years each of natural sciences, social sciences, foreign language; and 3) passing basic level on the NAEP reading assessment (HSTS).

Note that foreign language is not required for a Washoe County high school diploma.

This seems to correlate with the numbers of WCSD graduates enrolled in the Nevada System of Higher Education throughout the state requiring remedial coursework.

newspaper circulation -- updated 9/5/11

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The America’s Most Literate Cities surveys, conducted by Central Connecticut State University, from 2003-2010 indicate that there is a widespread decline in per capita newspaper circulation—even happening in cities where overall literacy is high and in cities where it is low. But the data does not indicate a switch from reading newspapers to reading online news; cities with high per capita circulation rates also have high proportions of people reading the news online.  Washington, DC, Seattle and Minneapolis have gone back and forth as the top three most literate cities 2008/2009/2010.  In addition to newspapers, the survey also looks at booksellers per 10,000 population; education level; Internet resources; library support, holdings and circulation; and other periodical publications.  The survey includes cities with population above 250,000.  Since 2005, Las Vegas has ranked 44.5, 40, 43, 41, 50 and 52 in 2010, out of 75 cities.

Local newspaper circulation is no different in the region—subscription numbers are falling, even as population has increased.  Print journalism today is subsidized through online advertising revenues, but there are currently no reliable data sources for locals reading online news.  Publishers across the country have lost advertising revenues and some have even filed for bankruptcy, unable to meet their debt obligations. Few remain locally owned or focused, or continue to pursue investigative reporting focused on public accountability.  As the number of Internet bloggers and media sites increase, online opportunities will continue to impact print newspapers.

after school literacy tutoring -- updated 9/5/11

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According to the Washoe County Education Collaborative, the cost of illiteracy to all taxpayers and businesses is estimated at $20 billion a year, and Nevada is no exception to this problem. In the Washoe County School District, more than 39% of our third graders read below grade level (April 2007 Nevada Criterion Referenced Exam).

The Education Alliance of Washoe County (previously the Education Foundation) has embraced WCSD’s number one goal that all students are reading and writing at or above grade level by the end of third grade. Their Focus on Literacy Initiative is a comprehensive literacy project that provides grade level books, after school literacy tutoring, professional development in literacy for teachers, and technology upgrades to schools that fall short of qualifying for federal funding and lack the community resources to enhance academic success.  The percentage of students reading at grade level after the tutoring improved 67%  from 2004-2009.

library system resources -- updated 8/2/11

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According to the February 2004, Nevada White Paper on Literacy, it is a broad issue that is central to the success of communities. As such, literacy is defined as a person’s ability to understand and employ information and compute and solve problems in daily activities, at home, at work, and in the community to achieve one’s goals, and to develop one’s knowledge and potential. Community literacy involves a collaboration of programs, whether basic education, childhood development, or other learning programs.

Functional literacy and quality libraries are some of the keys to educational success, including the ability to complete GED programs. The Washoe County Library System obtained grant funding in FY09-10 to provide tutor.com real-time tutoring assistance and mangolanguages.com with self-paced ESL and other foreign languages. Library services were also expanded for download via a mobile device-optimized site. This year, the library system rolled-out e-books, upgraded public broadband, and reinstated computer classes, all needed for life-long education and community engagement.