State Board of Education
Anyone wishing to view past monthly SBOE business meetings may do so at https://www.education. ne.gov/stateboard/ On the left side of the page click on Video Archives.
Cell Phone Use in Schools
At the request of the Board, Dr. Maher and NDE staff conducted a survey of school district’s cell phone policies. Along with the survey results, Dr. Maher shared the following national data-emerging research: 72% of U.S. high school teachers say cellphone distraction is a major problem in the classroom.
Removing cell phones can positively impact student learning.
Cell phones can negatively impact student mental health.
District schools find success with full cell phone bans as they are less ambiguous and easier to enforce than cell phone policies.
Two hundred sixteen of the 245 public school districts responded to NDE’s 18-question survey. In regard to policy, 178 have a formal cell phone policy, 32 do not, and 6 have a policy in development. The survey results indicate school districts recognize a need for a formal policy. I would support the development of a model policy, based on current research, for Nebraska schools district to consider.
School Firearms Model Policy At the December board meeting, a model policy allowing authorized security personnel to carry firearms in schools was approved. NDE staff consulted with the Nebraska State Patrol to develop a policy which fulfilled the requirement of the law set forth by the Legislature. This law specifically impacts school districts with populations of fewer than 5,000 inhabitants. Such districts may not have timely access to law enforcement. The Firearms Model Policy may be viewed in the December 2024 State Board Report found on the Nebraska Department of Education website.
Work Continues to Address Teacher Shortage Our state Legislature, Nebraska Department of Education, and State Board of Education continue to work together to replenish the supply of teachers in Nebraska. There have been significant changes to certification regulations this past year. One is the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact which went into effect July 2024. It streamlines the process of issuing teaching certificates to those who have a valid certificate in another
state. I personally witnessed the implementation of this certification pathway allowing a veteran teacher from another state to begin teaching in Nebraska. It was a win for both the teacher and the state of Nebraska!
Nebraska Education Profile The 2023-24 Nebraska Education Profile data is now available on NDE's website. This is a one-stop location for Nebraska education data. District snapshots include the following information: — number of students and teachers — number of English Language Learners — % on free or reduced priced lunches - % of students identified as gifted learners — % of students receiving special education services — graduation and college-going rates — cost per pupil — and percentage of students proficient in English Language Arts, Math, Science and the ACT.
Each district is given a classification of Excellent, Great, Good or Needs Support to Improve.
How to view data on the Nebraska Education Profile:
Go to: http://nep.education.ne.gov Step 1: Scroll down to DISTRICT AND SCHOOL DATA Step 2: Click the down arrow in the SELECT A DISTRICT box and type the district name in the search bar.
Step 3: To view specific school data, once a district has been selected, click the down arrow in the SELECT A SCHOOL box and type the school name in the search bar.
October School Visits
In conjunction with the SBOE meeting held in Grand Island, SBOE and NDE representatives were given the opportunity to visit Nebraska Christian Classical Academy (a hybrid school), Grand Island Central Catholic’s newly opened elementary school ( parochial school), and Northwest High School (public school). I enjoyed giving board members a taste of the educational options available to families of the Grand Island area.
December School Visits
A thank-you to Randolph Public Schools for inviting me to participate in their Adopt-A-Door program, along with the opportunity to read aloud to their K-2nd graders. While in northeastern Nebraska, I toured Jackson Elementary reading aloud to K-2nd graders, and visited Lewis and Clark Elementary in South Sioux City where I enjoyed the Great Americans Wax Museum produced by their 5th grade students. It was amazing! I also had the opportunity to tour Ponca’s Excellent-classified school district.
There are great things happening in northeast Nebraska!
Upcoming SBOE Meeting
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the State Board of Education will be held on Friday, January 10, 2025 at 9:00 in Lincoln at the NDE office building located at 500 S. 84th Street. The work session will be held on Thursday, January 9th. Times vary by month.
