LAS VEGAS – After a report released Wednesday ranked Nevada last in education, Clark County School District officials said they are working hard to improve them.
But one family said they don't know if they can wait for things to get better.
Jen Morris grew up in Las Vegas but for her five children, this may not be home for much longer.
"It might not be the best place to raise kids anymore," she said.
The biggest reason: education. The latest Kids Count data shows Nevada is dead last in the country when it comes to how well our students are doing in school.
"We want our kids to be exposed to have the most opportunity and if schools are not going to help us out with that, we have to possibly look elsewhere," she said.
According to the report, the biggest indicator comes down to the graduation rate: In 2010, 44 percent of our students didn't graduate on time -- the worst in the country.
Kids Count Report Ranks Nevada Last in Education
"We all did not want to see those numbers, of course," said Erin Cranor, a school board trustee.
Cranor said this report confirms the need for reform, and district superintendent Dwight Jones has been key in making changes.
"There are many challenges we can't fix right away and education is a long term solution," she said.
Cranor said the "Reclaim your Future" efforts to convince high school drop outs to come back to school has worked, as has the stepped up credit retrieval programs for all students.
"Yes we have challenges, yes our starting point (is a) very difficult spot but we are moving forward," she said.
But with 400 Clark County teachers laid off in June, the school district is likely moving forward with bigger classrooms. For parents like Morris, that may be enough for them to consider moving now versus waiting for things to get better.
"The idea of having to move for something like this does break my heart … but kids come first," she said.
The Kids Count data shows Nevada ranked 48th in the country in the overall child well being, 46th for health and 41st for family and community support.
Researchers said these numbers are all connected and if we do better in one category others will likely go up as well.
