Reports and Publications
The National Institute for the Advancement of Education (NIAE), in partnership with the UNLV College of Education, produces research that informs both practice and policy in Nevada and beyond. Our work includes the NIAE Policy in Practice Series, which generates policy-driven recommendations on emerging issues; the Policy Issues in Nevada Education papers, authored since 2015 to guide thoughtful discussions on the state’s most pressing challenges; and a set of literature reviews that synthesize national research and best practices to inform Nevada’s local context. For example, “Addressing Nevada’s Teacher Shortage: A Review of Evidence-Based Strategies” examines evidence on recruitment and retention, while “Mentoring for Student Success” reviews national models and standards for strengthening developmental relationships. Together, these reports provide practical insights for leaders, educators, and policymakers while fostering dialogue across the state.
A Review of the National Partnership for Student Success (NPSS) Voluntary Quality Standards: A Resource for Community-Based Organizations in Southern Nevada
Benita R. Brooks, University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Omolola A. Odejemi, University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Carolina Clavel, University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Amy Wolfe, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Volume Spring 2025, Issue 1
- This paper is a literature review that explores how three leading nonprofits—Saga Education, MENTOR, and Communities In Schools—align their tutoring, mentoring, and wraparound support models with the NPSS Voluntary Quality Standards. It highlights evidence-based practices that improve student outcomes and offers insights for scaling effective support services, with particular relevance to Southern Nevada.
Addressing Nevada’s Teacher Shortage
Elizabeth Hofschulte Collins, Ph. D. candidate
Volume Spring 2024, Issue 1
This policy paper examines the teacher shortages present across P-12 levels of education and in many content areas in the state of Nevada, as well as identifying three potentially viable strategies to address them.
Download Summary PDF Download Full PDF
Building Capacity for Dual Enrollment Through Teacher Qualification
Sebern Coleman, Ph.D., Maria Marinch, DPP, and Leticia Wells, M.Ed
Volume 5, Issue 5
This policy paper examines elements of the 2020 NDE/Nevada System of Higher Education report on dual enrollment education pertaining to instructor qualifications, motivators, and benefits for educators, offering recommendations to build capacity for the future.
Download Summary PDF Download Full PDF
Effective Teacher Pathways Programs
Peter D. Wiens, Ph.D.
Volume 5, Issue 4
This policy paper investigates research on teacher preparation programs and state licensure assessments, examining whether traditional or ARL programs produce more effective teachers, the state of online teacher preparation programs, and the efficacy of portfolio assessment vs. licensure exams.
Download Summary PDF Download Full PDF
Homegrown Teacher Pathways: A Review of Promising Practices Related to T/T CTE
Volume 5, Issue 3
This policy paper examines the rationale for, and implementation of, one of the recommendations from the June 2022 Nevada Department of Education report for recruiting, preparing, and retaining teachers: expanding Teaching and Training Career and Technical Education (T/T CTE) programs.
Download Summary PDF Download Full PDF
Addressing the Teacher Shortage: The Nevada Educator Preparation Institute & Collaborative (NV-EPIC) as Educator Preparation Accompaniment
Nate Koerber, Ph.D., Noah Romero, Ph.D., Gina Delgado, Ph.D., and Kenneth Varner, Ph.D.
Volume 5, Issue 2
This policy paper presents initial Nevada Educator Preparation Institute & Collaborative (NV-EPIC) policy thinking that focuses on NV-EPIC’s programming. Early successes indicate that through Department of Education regulations, NV-EPIC’s model may mitigate teacher shortages while amplifying the diversification of the teacher workforce.
Download Summary PDF Download Full PDF
Making Nevada Schools Safer: The State of Empirical Evidence
Jacob D. Skousen, Ed. D.
Volume 5, Issue 1
This policy paper reviews the trends taken to improve school safety. While individual measures, such as school resource officers (SROs) or controlled access to schools, inconclusively impact physical and perceptual components of school safety, research suggests a comprehensive safety plan can create safe, secure schools. It concludes with evidence-based actions that Nevada lawmakers can take to improve school safety.
Download Summary PDF Download Full PDF
