Education (K-12 Education)

passed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LR 503: Recognize Coach Russ Ninemire's fifty years of dedication to Nebraska students and support for girls' athletics

This legislative resolution honors Coach Russ Ninemire for his fifty-year career coaching high school girls' basketball in Nebraska. It acknowledges his achievements, including winning ninety-five consecutive games and earning six hundred sixty-six total victories, as well as his induction into the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame. The measure formally recognizes his contributions to students and girls' athletics and directs that a copy of the resolution be sent to him.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill honors a coach for 50 years of dedication to students and girls' athletics, explicitly supporting educational access and student programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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in committee · Nebraska · Legislature Mar 30, 2026

LR 466: Interim study to examine the prevalence, causes, and impacts of suspension and other exclusionary discipline practices affecting elementary school students

This legislative resolution directs the Nebraska Education Committee to conduct an interim study on suspension and exclusionary discipline practices in elementary schools. The study will examine current policies, demographic data, and the impacts of these disciplinary actions on student outcomes, while also reviewing alternative approaches like restorative practices and available support resources. The committee will analyze funding gaps, workforce needs, and best practices from other states, ultimately submitting findings and recommendations to the Legislature. This measure focuses on gathering information rather than implementing immediate policy changes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill directs study on exclusionary discipline and alternative practices, aiming to improve student outcomes and examine support resources for elementary schools.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Safety

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passed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 1, 2026

LR 469: Congratulate the Omaha South High School's Performing and Fine Arts Pathway for earning the 2025 Nebraskans for the Arts NebraskARTS Award

This legislative resolution congratulates Omaha South High School's Performing and Fine Arts Pathway for receiving the 2025 Nebraskans for the Arts NebraskARTS Award. The resolution recognizes the program's success in supporting over 1,300 students in various arts disciplines including dance, music, theater, and visual arts. It acknowledges the collaborative efforts of teachers, administrators, parents, and community members that made the program's achievements possible. A copy of the resolution will be sent to the high school to formally recognize this accomplishment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill recognizes and celebrates a successful arts education program, acknowledging its impact on 1,300 students and collaborative efforts, indicating support for educational initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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passed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 1, 2026

LR 477: Congratulate Brittany McDaniel for earning the 2026 Nebraska School Activities Association Champions for Coaches Award for Play Production

This legislative resolution congratulates Brittany McDaniel, a communications and theatre teacher at North Platte High School, for receiving the 2026 Nebraska School Activities Association Champions for Coaches Award for Play Production. The bill formally recognizes her dedication to students and community, noting she was nominated by students, administrators, and community members for her leadership in speech and theatre programs. The resolution directs that a copy be sent to McDaniel as official acknowledgment of her achievement.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill recognizes and honors a teacher's achievements in educational programs, supporting educators and school activities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers

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in committee · Nebraska · Legislature Mar 30, 2026

LR 440: Interim study to examine the identification, evaluation, and effectiveness of reading screeners approved by the State Department of Education and utilized by school districts, and to examine whether improvements to screening practices should precede consideration of student retention at the third-grade level

This legislative resolution directs Nebraska's Education Committee to conduct an interim study on the reading assessment tools currently approved for use by school districts. The study will evaluate how well these screeners identify students with reading difficulties and determine if improvements to screening practices should happen before considering third-grade retention policies. The committee will review the accuracy, fairness, and usability of existing tools while consulting with educators, administrators, and other stakeholders. The final report will include findings and recommendations for potential policy changes or administrative actions to improve reading assessment outcomes across the state.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill promotes improved reading assessment tools and evaluates retention policies to better support student learning outcomes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Testing & Assessment

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passed · Nebraska · Legislature Mar 10, 2026

LR 354: Recognize March 2026 as Celebrate Theatre in Our Schools Month

This legislative resolution officially designates March 2026 as Celebrate Theatre in Our Schools Month in Nebraska. It directly affects high school theatre programs, students, teachers, and the Nebraska Thespians organization by formally recognizing their contributions to education and the arts. The bill highlights the program's achievements, including its presence in over 44 schools, scholarship awards, and economic impact through ticket sales. It encourages the public to acknowledge the educational and cultural value of school theatre productions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill formally recognizes and celebrates theatre programs in schools, enhancing student arts education and supporting teachers and school programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 870: Change residence requirements relating to tuition and fees at state postsecondary educational institutions

LB 870 changes Nebraska's rules for determining in-state tuition eligibility at state colleges and universities. It adds new residency categories, including students who attended Nebraska high school for three years, military personnel and their dependents stationed in Nebraska, and students who are dependents of Nebraska residents. The bill requires documentary proof of residency for most cases and allows students who lived with a parent in Nebraska during high school to retain in-state status even if the parent moves, provided they intend to make Nebraska their permanent home. This directly affects students applying to Nebraska's public colleges who might otherwise pay higher out-of-state tuition rates.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands in-state tuition access for Nebraska high school graduates, military dependents, and resident dependents, reducing financial barriers to higher education.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly includes military personnel and dependents in in-state tuition residency categories, providing educational benefits aligned with veteran support services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Military Families

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1050: Provide requirements for dyslexia screening and limit advancement to grade four under the Nebraska Reading Improvement Act

LB 1050 amends Nebraska's Reading Improvement Act to require students in kindergarten through third grade to meet a reading proficiency threshold before advancing to fourth grade. School districts must administer approved reading assessments three times annually, identifying students scoring below the threshold as having a "reading deficiency" that prevents grade advancement until proficiency is achieved. The bill establishes specific performance thresholds for assessments and creates a test-based portfolio option by January 2027 to demonstrate grade-level reading mastery. This directly affects K-3 students in Nebraska public schools, requiring them to demonstrate grade-level reading skills before moving to fourth grade.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires K-3 students to meet reading proficiency before advancing, strengthening literacy standards under Nebraska's Reading Improvement Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 745: Change provisions relating to the requirements for a diploma of high school equivalency

LB 745 changes Nebraska's high school equivalency diploma requirements by removing a 30-day Nebraska residency requirement for applicants. It directly affects residents seeking a high school equivalency diploma who previously needed to prove 30 days of residency before applying. The bill keeps other key requirements intact, including passing approved tests, meeting educational standards equivalent to a high school graduate, being at least 18 years old, and being unable to obtain a diploma from their last school or having left more than a year ago. The amendment updates the state law to streamline access while maintaining academic standards for the diploma.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves residency barrier, expanding access to high school equivalency diploma for residents seeking educational credentials95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1216: Provide for educational services for prisoners

This bill requires Nebraska correctional facilities to provide educational services to prisoners under 21 years old who have not earned a high school diploma or equivalent. The services must include a minimum curriculum of language arts, social science, science, and mathematics, and may also cover vocational training, computer education, or other subjects. The Director of Correctional Services must ensure these programs meet standards set by the State Department of Education, and the State Board of Education can establish rules to enforce these requirements. The bill repeals the previous law governing educational programming in correctional facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates educational programs for incarcerated youth to reduce recidivism, aligning with rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates educational services for incarcerated youth under 21, expanding access to curriculum standards set by State Department of Education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Curriculum K-12 Education