Cortez Masto toured Paradise Elementary School and spoke with Nevada Forward teachers last month in Las Vegas
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) announced that the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) will receive $2,977,816 million to expand its Nevada Forward Initiative over the course of five years. These funds, allocated through the Department of Education, will help Nevada Forward tackle the state’s teacher shortage by preparing at least 300 additional educators annually and boost recruitment and retention efforts, especially for Nevada’s growing English Learner (EL) student population. Cortez Masto spoke with Nevada Forward teachers and discussed her support for the initiative last month in Las Vegas.
“I’ve heard from Nevada families about how important it is to ensure that our students can get a strong public education, and that starts with making sure we have the teachers we need to reach the next generation,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I’ve seen Nevada Forward firsthand, and I’m glad that this funding I secured is coming to support their efforts to train and hire more Nevada teachers and set up our kids for success.”
“Nevada Forward is a pioneering educator workforce model, demonstrating strong partnerships among higher education, K-12 school systems, state and federal agencies, and communities to address complex workforce challenges like teacher shortages,” said UNLV College of Education Dean Danica Hays. “Since 2021, state and federal support for teacher apprenticeships has shifted the landscape for Nevada’s teacher workforce and the children and families they serve.”
UNLV’s Nevada Forward is supported by funding the senator delivered through the American Rescue Plan. Nevada Forward Initiative is the first of its kind in the American West, and it allows paraprofessionals, substitutes, and other school staff to earn teaching degrees while employed. Nevada Forward has registered over 500 teacher apprentices and serves more than 1,100 students. Approximately 14% of Nevada’s public school students are ELs. With 70% of participants from historically underrepresented backgrounds, Nevada Forward’s bench of new teachers will reflect Nevada’s diverse student body. It also offers training and accreditation in early childhood, special education, and K-12 education, strengthening the pipeline of qualified educators and providing in-demand career pathways.
Senator Cortez Masto has delivered critical support to students and schools across Nevada. Cortez Masto’s legislation to increase the number of mental health professionals in schools was included in the bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which was signed into law. In addition, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included three of Cortez Masto’s bipartisan bills to boost transportation safety for students, expand internet access for both rural and urban schools, and improve school air quality. She’s working to pass her bipartisan Reaching English Learners Act to create a competitive grant program to fund partnerships between institutions of higher education and high-need school districts to provide training for future instructors.
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