Educational leadership is second only to classroom instruction among factors that influence student outcomes. The highest performing organizations recruit and retain top talent. To affect real change in public education systems, we need leaders with vision, knowledge, imagination, skill and the courage to stimulate solutions and produce results. The Leadership Institute will build a talent network of entrepreneurial leaders from Nevada's public schools, business and industry and schools throughout our nation to drive school improvement. The Institute will begin by launching a statewide principal academy designed in collaboration with the Governor's Office, the State of Nevada, the school district and our partners to catalyze significant, systemic improvement in public education.

With more than $750,000 in annual funds, The Scholarship Program reaches students at all levels of academic progress and offers a meaningful incentive to achieve their educational goals, graduate and move on to higher education. Targeted not only to academically gifted students, scholarships are also available to students who face educational and personal obstacles. The Scholarship Program is developing an outreach strategy to encourage and support students who would not ordinarily consider going to college. Since 1994, the Scholarship Program has awarded more than 2,800 college scholarships totaling more than $6 million.

The We R Community service-learning and volunteerism model engages teens in making a positive difference in their community by connecting them to the real world. Students extend their classroom learning by participating in a "mini-foundation" experience. During the year-long program, students create a mission statement, research nonprofit organizations, review grant applications, fund grants, volunteer with local nonprofits and incorporate the program into their classroom curricula. Last year alone, our 470 We R Community students at 13 high school sites logged more than 4,000 volunteer hours and awarded more than $65,000 to area nonprofit organizations, deepening their own engagement in the learning process.

The Teacher EXCHANGE™ brings vital resources to the classroom and reduces the financial burden on teachers who often spend their own money to provide needed instructional supplies. By collecting and recycling electronic hardware, paper, furniture and other goods, the Teacher EXCHANGE™ redirects these usable materials into the hands of teachers to enhance the learning experience. By supplying classrooms and saving teachers money, the EXCHANGE™ also protects our environment. The EXCHANGE™ has repurposed more than 1,000,000 pounds of materials since 2002, distributed millions of dollars of classroom resources and has helped each teacher save about $1,600 per year in out-of-pocket expenses thanks to the generous support of Caesars Entertainment and our community partners.

The Clark County READS literacy initiative offers a series of programs designed to empower children to explore the world around them through reading. We know strong reading and comprehension skills are crucial if children are to grow up to be self-sufficient and employable adults. Clark County READS has distributed more than one million books, updated 100 school library nonfiction collections, trained more than 1,800 reading volunteers, serves as a state model for Reading Is Fundamental and is part of the national Reach Out and Read network.

Artists 4 Kidz connects the creative energy of the Las Vegas arts community to our students. This program provides students with arts experiences, introduces them to community artists, and encourages them to find their voice and express themselves while fostering a lifelong appreciation for the arts. The goals of the program are to connect the creative community with schools, create an environment that nurtures art-rich education and celebrate an improved quality of life and sense of community.

The InterAct™ On-Line Learning Community, an early technology initiative, was launched in 1992 to build and enhance online communication, collaboration and learning. Today, more than 45,000 teachers, students and administrators are active members of the InterAct™ community and participate in global learning opportunities. This idea unleashed the power of technology and propelled the Clark County School District into the 21st Century.