The state of Nevada's schools

As Gov. Kenny Guinn puts the finishing touches on his State of the State address for Monday evening, we're expecting an emphasis on ways to improve Nevada's schools.

He has already created one legacy - Millennium Scholarships - that opened the door to higher education for thousands of Nevada students. Now we are looking for ideas large and small that will better prepare students for college and the working world.

The State of the State speech is an introduction of Guinn's proposed budget for the 2005 Legislature to consider, so a part of his message is expected to be creation of a trust fund for schools who are struggling to prepare students for proficiency tests and meeting the standards of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

But as important as the dollar equation may be in allowing or hindering the success of Nevada's schools, we anticipate Guinn's message will call for a commitment that goes beyond the responsibility taxpayers carry for the schools system.

Such a commitment goes beyond Nevada's responsibility to provide safe, educationally sound schools with well-trained teachers and administrators. It goes beyond the philosophy of No Child Left Behind to make sure schools raise the performance levels for all students.

The goal for Nevada must be nothing short of excellence.

To accomplish that goal, no Nevadan can stand on the sidelines waiting for someone else to do the job of educating our children. Parents. Teachers. Politicians. Taxpayers. Businesses. Charities. All have a role, responsibility and stake in raising the bar. Nevadans can't settle for moving from 47th to 35th in this category, or from 50th to 48th in that category. The goal must be the best.

Educating generations of Nevadans reaches from prenatal care to full-day kindergarten to workable class-sizes to advanced- and vocational-skills courses to extended-hour community college offerings to advanced university degree programs to prestigious research projects.

We're confident Guinn has a vision for a better Nevada. We're eager to hear Monday how he expresses it.