The Nebraska State Board of Education met in Lincoln on August 2 and took an important step toward establishing dress code and grooming guidelines for students, among other things.
Here is a report on the meeting:
Nebraska Literacy Project
The SBOE heard a report from Nebraska Department of Education staff on the Nebraska Literacy Project, whose goal is to increase third-grade reading proficiency statewide from 62% to 75% by 2030.
To achieve this goal, NDE staff is preparing a statewide system for current teachers in preschool through third grade in evidence-based reading instruction that includes letter sound awareness, sound connection, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.
Classroom teacher training is complemented by the board-issued policy that requires all teacher education programs in Nebraska to provide the same reading instruction to future teachers. NDE staff also works to ensure that teachers have a high-quality reading curriculum to implement this instructional method in the classroom.
Statewide science standards
Nebraska’s science standards for grades 1-12 were reviewed this year. Public input was accepted on the NDE website from May 3-30.
The proposed standards are based on the 2017 standards and place an emphasis on scientific critical thinking.
Board member Sherry Jones of Grand Island expressed concern that the only theory about the origin of life included in the standards is Darwin’s theory of evolution. She suggested including a number of other theories, including intelligent design, creationism and other macroevolutionary theories.
If the goal of the standards is to encourage scientific critical thinking, I agree that additional theories should be included for students to study and analyze. However, the general opinion of the rest of the panel is that Darwinian evolution is the only fact-based theory about the origin of life and the only one that should be included in the standards and taught in Nebraska classrooms.
Adoption of these standards is planned at the SBOE meeting in September.
Legislative priorities
The SBOE adopted three key legislative priorities for 2025-2027, with the first focusing on basic literacy.
The other goals are to increase the number of teachers in Nebraska and improve engagement with students, families, schools and communities. After a two-day barrage of education-related legislation in the unicameral legislature, SBOE and NDE staff hope to work with state senators to refine existing legislation for the best educational outcomes and use of Nebraska’s taxpayer dollars.
Dress code for models
In accordance with Nebraska State Charter 79-2.159, the Board adopted a school dress code and grooming policy.
By July 1, each school district must adopt a written dress code and grooming policy for implementation in the 2025–26 school year.
Amendment of pre-school legislation
In the spring and summer of 2023, I heard from several parents about five-year-olds being excluded from publicly funded preschool programs. These parents expressed concern because not all children mature at the same rate and some would benefit from an additional year of preschool.
Families in cities where there is no private preschool or who cannot afford school fees have found that some of their children are at a disadvantage when it comes to enrolling in kindergarten if they need an additional year of preschool but this is not possible.
I worked with Senators Brian Hardin of Gering and Danielle Conrad of Lincoln to amend state law to allow five-year-olds to attend preschool at the request of the parent if the school district has space for the child. Our bill was amended to LB 71 and passed with 46 votes.
I am grateful for the bipartisan support of this common-sense legislation.
Elected to the national representation
In July, I attended the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) New Member Institute. Topics presented included addressing policy concerns and working with state legislators.
The Institute also helps build working relationships with members of state boards of education across the country. At the end of the program, I was elected by my fellow participants to serve on the NASBE Board as a representative of the new members. I look forward to the opportunities this will create for our board in Nebraska.
Upcoming meetings
The next two SBOE meetings will be held outside of Lincoln to allow more voters to attend in person. The September 6 meeting will be in Nebraska City. The October 4 meeting will be in Grand Island. Both meetings will begin at 9 a.m. and will include an opportunity for public comment.
This summary was written by Elizabeth Tegtmeier, SBOE District 7 representative, and is not an official board statement. Tegtmeier is chairman of the state board.
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