Teen Sexuality and Pregnancy in Nevada

We begin this report by examining recent data regarding the national and Nevada specific trends in teen sexuality and pregnancy and discuss the socioeconomic determinants and disparities in teen pregnancy. Next, we focus on the national and local policies and programs designed to reduce teen pregnancy and to promote health equity among teenage youth. We conclude with a survey of programs that provide housing, case management, mental health services, life skills, career counseling and teen parenting education in Las Vegas and in Henderson, NV. Appendix provides information about local and national community resources that readers can use to further their understanding of the issues raised in this chapter and learn more about the best practices designed to prevent teen pregnancies

Improving Fairness and Addressing Racial Disparities in the Delaware Criminal Justice System

This memorandum summarizes existing scholarly research on police stops; pretrial detention; charging, plea bargaining, and sentencing; and alternatives to incarceration. For each topic, the memo surveys the extent to which each of these contributes to racial disparities as well as inaccuracies in criminal justice; identifies reforms that have worked elsewhere to ameliorate these problems; and considers the extent to which these reforms are compatible with preserving and improving public safety. The memorandum concludes with a brief discussion of recent scholarship that both highlights larger social factors that contribute to disparity and identifies programs and initiatives outside of the criminal justice system that might reduce racial disparities within the system

Dropout and Graduation Rates in Nevada

This report spotlights the high school graduation and dropout rates in Nevada, shows how the trends in our state compared to the trends in other states, and outlines community resources available to Nevadans seeking to improve their educational achievements. High school dropout and graduation rates are key indicators by which we judge an educational system. The importance of these indicators stems from the fact that higher educational achievement correlates positively with individual and community social health – e.g., the higher the graduation rates of individuals within a community, the greater the level of personal fulfillment and community development. Conversely, high school dropout rates correlate inversely with individual and community social health in that individuals who don’t complete high school are often left behind on the social ladder of success, especially in economic terms. We study dropout rates, along with other social indicators like teen pregnancies and juvenile arrests, in order to understand why, and to change the fact that, some groups and communities fare better in our society than others

High School Graduation and Dropout Rates in Nevada

The causes and consequences of high school dropout rates are multifaceted and of great importance to society, and that is why this problem has been the subject of close scrutiny by educators, researchers, administrators, politicians and laypersons. Experts do not always agree on the nature of this social problem, but they have pinpointed its economic and social costs, identified key risk factors, and outlined most promising policy options for improving high school graduation rates in our society

How are the Children: Challenges and Opportunities in Improving Children\u27s Mental Health

The mental health of children is critical to their growth and development, but when their well-being is considered, discussions more often gravitate toward physical health, nutrition, education, parental influences, and living conditions. While these all represent important indicators of well-being, discussions also need to consider the importance of children’s mental and behavioral health. In this brief we explore the status of Southern Nevada’s children as it relates to mental health outcomes. Like physical health, good mental health is paramount to children’s overall functioning and maturation. Frequently when a child experiences mental and behavioral health challenges, signs and symptoms manifest in the home, community, and school. Using a secondary analysis of multiple primary datasets, including the National Survey of Children’s Health; Mental Illness Surveillance among Children in the United States; and the Mental Health National Outcome Measure, we analyze the mental health status of children in Southern Nevada. In doing so we provide an overview of services, access, and the implications of the Affordable Care Act. Outcomes are considered in relation to peer states as well as national indicators. This brief provides implications for strengthening the overall mental health service infrastructure, service delivery, and community capacity so that children will experience optimal mental health outcomes

Time to Talk: The Mental Health of Adults in Nevada

About 11.3% of the adult population in Nevada report a past-year mental illness, with nearly 4% of them experiencing disorders serious enough to impair their functionality. Almost 13% of Nevada adults have substance abuse disorders, this is the second highest statewide substance abuse prevalence rate in the country; the District of Columbia is first at 14.7% of its population (SAMSHA, 2013). With most states (including Nevada) now increasing their mental health care budgets after years of spending cuts—between 2009 and 2012 there was a $4.35-billion drop in state mental health spending (Ollove, 2013)—pertinent questions center on needed treatment, research, and policy directions. The increased federal attention and support given to mental health care access has primed states across the nation like Nevada to move toward strengthening their service infrastructure. In this brief we first compare Nevada’s mental illness prevalence rates with those of peer states and national trends and then explore some strategies that could prove useful in positioning our state to address the mental health needs of its residents. We must elevate the discussion of mental health to the same level of seriousness given to the concern for physical health challenges as experienced by adults

Investigating the Relationship between the Perceptions of Principals and Teachers on Site-Based Decision Making

The purpose of this record of study was to investigate the nature of relationships between the perceptions of principals and teachers on site-based decision making (SBDM) and to uncover patterns existing in relationships between and among state school ratings, principals’ and teachers’ perceptions of SBDM decision making at their schools, and school outcomes of discipline referrals and attendance percentages. The investigator chose four schools with different state school ratings as sites for investigating these relationships. Participants in the study were principals and teachers selected from four school types: Exemplary, Academically Recognized, Academically Acceptable, and Academically Unacceptable. The research design was a non-experimental and descriptive design focused on the four selected elementary school types. The descriptive statistic of mean was used to determine the strengths of relationships between these variables. Results of the investigation identified various trends between principals’ and teachers’ perceptions about SBDM at their schools. Outcomes from discipline referrals and attendance percentages in the four types of schools did not show a noteworthy difference. Overall, the data were an indication that elementary principals and teachers embrace the idea of SBDM at levels between 30% and 69% or at a higher level of 70% or above, regardless of the state’s rating of school type, number of student discipline referrals, or percentage of student attendance. This was demonstrated by the vast number of “strongly agree” and “agree” responses to survey items among the four schools with different ratings. Using this study as a baseline, recommendation is made to conduct a study of all district schools using a more precise survey to determine the effects of principals’ and teachers’ perceptions of SBDM on student achievement. Additional recommendation is made for a study to determine whether common variables other than SBDM exists in high performing Texas elementary schools that could possibly have an impact on student achievement. Although achievement objectives and instructional activities may vary as described in a state’s curriculum, this particular research could be accomplished without regard to a particular state

Teen Sexuality and Pregnancy in Nevada

The proliferation of sexually explicit materials has been the hallmark of North American culture for decades. The arrival of the Internet made access to such materials all the easier, and not only for adults but also for teenagers who learn at ever-early age that romantic relations are exciting and sexual encounters are a welcome part of life. When such exposure to sensual images is not accompanied by appropriate sex education, the consequences could be dire for teenagers and society alike

The Impact of Extension Gardening Programs on Healthy Attitudes and Behaviors

Gardening programs have been increasing in popularity since 1995 when California enacted legislation with the goal of putting a garden in every school. Research has shown positive benefits of gardening programs include increasing a child’s academic skills, environmental awareness, and social skills, but little is known about their impact on healthy attitudes and behaviors. Considering childhood obesity rates are rapidly increasing, understanding how educational programs, such as gardening, can impact health has become important. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact Extension gardening programs had on participants’ healthy attitudes and behaviors. Using a pretest/posttest research design with a control group, the researchers found that only slight changes were occurring in participants’ attitudes and behaviors. However, when staff member open-ended responses were reviewed qualitatively, it was found that more is occurring within the program than was uncovered by the quantitative instrument. Recommendations for enhancing the school-based garden program as a result of the findings included teaching participants how to prepare and eat the vegetables they have produced in the garden, increasing instruction on how gardening is a physical activity, and including journaling about the nutritional values of fruits and vegetables to develop positive attitudes about health

Academic Achievement and School Resources

This chapter examines the national and local trends in educational policy, focusing in particular on Nevada’s academic achievement, standardized test performance, available school resources, and unmet needs. The discussion begins with the concept of academic achievement and the ways it is measured. After that, we analyze the policies impacting academic achievement, most notably the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. Next, we suggest the strategies to improve academic performance in the Nevada K12 System and make recommendations to increase parental involvement in education and encourage culturally competent policies of bringing together children, families, and schools. Finally, we discuss the resources needed to raise academic performances in Nevada schools