1. The Legislative Bureau of Educational Accountability and Program Evaluation is hereby created within the Fiscal Analysis Division. The Fiscal Analysts shall appoint to the Legislative Bureau of Educational Accountability and Program Evaluation a Chief and such other personnel as the Fiscal Analysts determine are necessary for the Bureau to carry out its duties pursuant to this section.

2. The Bureau shall, as the Fiscal Analysts determine is necessary or at the request of the Committee:

(a) Collect and analyze data and issue written reports concerning:

(1) The effectiveness of the provisions of chapter 385A of NRS in improving the accountability of the schools of this State;

(2) The statewide program to reduce the ratio of pupils per class per licensed teacher prescribed in NRS 388.700, 388.710 and 388.720;

(3) The statewide program to educate persons with disabilities that is set forth in NRS 388.5223 to 388.5243, inclusive;

(4) The results of the examinations of the National Assessment of Educational Progress that are administered pursuant to NRS 390.830; and

(5) Any program or legislative measure, the purpose of which is to reform the system of education within this State.

(b) Conduct studies and analyses to evaluate the performance and progress of the system of public education within this State. Such studies and analyses may be conducted:

(1) As the Fiscal Analysts determine are necessary; or

(2) At the request of the Legislature.

This paragraph does not prohibit the Bureau from contracting with a person or entity to conduct studies and analyses on behalf of the Bureau.

(c) On or before October 1 of each even-numbered year, submit a written report of its findings pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b) to the Director for transmission to the next regular session. The Bureau shall, on or before October 1 of each odd-numbered year, submit a written report of its findings pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b) to the Director for transmission to the Legislative Commission and to the Legislative Committee on Education.

3. The Bureau may, pursuant to NRS 218F.620, require a school, a school district, the Nevada System of Higher Education or the Department of Education to submit to the Bureau books, papers, records and other information that the Chief of the Bureau determines are necessary to carry out the duties of the Bureau pursuant to this section. An entity whom the Bureau requests to produce records or other information shall provide the records or other information in any readily available format specified by the Bureau.

4. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection and NRS 239.0115, any information obtained by the Bureau pursuant to this section shall be deemed a work product that is confidential pursuant to NRS 218F.150. The Bureau may, at the discretion of the Chief and after submission to the Legislature or Legislative Commission, as appropriate, publish reports of its findings pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection 2.

5. This section does not prohibit the Department of Education or the State Board of Education from conducting analyses, submitting reports or otherwise reviewing educational programs in this State.

(Added to NRS by 1997, 1777; A 2003, 19th Special Session, 83; 2007, 2079; 2011, 2313, 3232; 2013, 1938; 2015, 2976)