The Nevada Department of Education (NDE) has developed a framework to measure individual school performance in important educational areas. The Nevada School Performance Framework (NSPF) was developed to comply with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to “meaningfully differentiate” schools based on the following performance indicators:
- Academic Achievement
- English Language Proficiency
- Student Growth (Elementary & Middle School)
- Closing Opportunity Gaps (Elementary & Middle School)
- Student Engagement
- Graduation Rate (High School)
- College and Career Readiness (High School)
Each performance indicator is comprised of various measures.
Each school year, the NDE will release a star rating for each school based on an index score. Each performance indicator has a point value, a school will earn points on each indicator based on their performance. Schools can earn between 0 and 100 points on the NSPF School Rating Report.
The index score is determined by dividing the number of points earned by the number of points possible for each school and multiplying by 100.
A school’s star rating is determined by the total index score earned.
What does a star rating mean?
| Star Rating | Descriptor |
|---|---|
| 5 | Recognizes a superior school that exceeds expectations for all students and subgroups on every indicator category with little or no exception. A five-star school demonstrates superior academic performance and growth with no opportunity gaps. The school does not fail to meet expectations for any group on any indicator. These schools are recognized for distinguished performance. |
| 4 | Recognizes a commendable school that has performed well for all students and subgroups. A four-star school demonstrates satisfactory to strong academic performance for all students. Further, the school is successfully promoting academic progress for all student groups as reflected in closing opportunity gaps. The school does not fail to meet expectations for any group on any indicator. Schools identified for targeted support and improvement are not eligible to be classified as four-star school or higher. |
| 3 | Identifies an adequate school that has met the state’s standard for performance. The all-students group has met expectations for academic achievement or growth. Subgroups meet expectations for academic achievement or growth with little exception; however, no group is far below standard. The school must submit an improvement plan that identifies supports tailored to subgroups and indicators that are below standard. Schools identified for comprehensive support and improvement are not eligible to be classified as a three-star school or higher. Schools identified for targeted support and improvement are eligible to be classified as three-star schools. |
| 2 | Identifies a school that has partially met the state’s standard for performance. Students and subgroups often meet expectations for academic performance or growth but may have multiple areas that require improvement. Areas requiring significant improvement are uncommon. The school must submit an improvement plan that identifies supports tailored to subgroups and indicators that are below standard. A two-star school in consecutive years is subject to state intervention. Schools identified for targeted support and improvement or comprehensive support and improvement are eligible to be classified as two-star schools. |
| 1 | Identifies a school that has not met the state’s standard for performance. Students and subgroups are inconsistent in achieving performance standards. A one-star school has multiple areas that require improvement including an urgent need to address areas that are significantly below standard. The school must submit an improvement plan that identifies supports tailored to subgroups and indicators that are below standard. The school is subject to state inventions. |
2016-2017 School Year
For the 2016-2017 School Year, the NDE released informational star ratings on December 15, 2017, for Elementary and Middle schools only.
Due to changes in the End of Course (EOC) exam, high schools received an informational index score with no star rating.
The links below provide information on each of the frameworks.
| School Level | ||
|---|---|---|
| Elementary | Framework | 2017 Point Attribution Tables |
| Middle | Framework | 2017 Point Attribution Tables |
| High | Framework | 2017 Point Attribution Tables |
To access the 2016-2017 NSPF School Rating Reports, visit the Nevada Report Card website.