Content Area Standards

Nebraska Revised Statute 79-760.01 requires the Nebraska State Board of Education to “adopt measurable academic content standards for at least the grade levels required for statewide assessment.” Those standards shall cover the subject areas of reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies, and the State Board of Education shall develop a plan to review and update standards for those subject areas every seven years.

In addition to the content area standards required by statute, the Nebraska Department of Education has developed content area standards for fine arts, physical education, and world languages, as well as course-based standards for Career and Technical Education. Although not required by law, these content area standards provide a framework for quality teaching and learning for all content areas.

A Content Area Standards Revision Timeline has been developed and includes a tentative timeline for the review and revision of all content area standards.  The timeline includes the following assumptions:

  • The review and revision of content area standards will be completed by the end of the seven-year cycle.
  • The review and revision process may take up to 1.5 years to complete.
  • Most review and revision processes will begin in the fall and be completed by the following fall.
  • Pursuant to Nebraska Revised Statute 79-7601.02, school districts will have one year to adopt the state-approved content area standards or adopt content area standards deemed as equal to or more rigorous than the state-approved content area standards for reading and writing (English Language Arts), mathematics, science, and social studies.
  • School districts are encouraged to adopt the state-approved standards in other content areas (fine arts, physical education, and world languages) within one year of being adopted by the State Board of Education.
  • Career and Technical Education content area standards will be reviewed and revised on a five-year cycle in order to remain current with occupational demands/standards.

The Standards Revision Timeline is now available. Please make sure you have the updated version with Social Studies beginning revision in Spring of 2025. For questions, please contact Dr. Marissa Payzant, Director of Content Standards at marissa.payzant@nebraska.gov.

Elementary Instructional Planning Guide

The Nebraska Department of Education’s Elementary Instructional Planning Guide supports elementary school principals and their teams in creating school schedules that meet the learning needs of every student in their buildings. The guide identifies strategic scheduling priorities such as effective Tier 1 core instruction, inclusion models that support all learners, targeted daily intervention and enrichment opportunities, and time for teacher collaboration and professional learning. For additional information, please contact marissa.payzant@nebraska.gov.

Content Area Standards (NSCAS Tested)

English Language Arts

On September 2, 2021, the Nebraska State Board of Education approved Nebraska’s College and Career Ready Standards for English Language Arts.

Other formats and the 2014 Nebraska ELA Standards are located on the English Language Arts Webpage.

Mathematics

On September 2, 2022, the Nebraska State Board of Education approved Nebraska’s College and Career Ready Standards for Mathematics.

Science

On September 8, 2017, the Nebraska State Board of Education approved Nebraska’s College and Career Ready Standards for Science.

Other formats are located on the Science Education Webpage.

Content Area Standards (Non-NSCAS Tested)

Fine Arts

On March 4, 2014, the Nebraska State Board of Education approved the Nebraska Fine Arts Standards.

Other formats are located on the Fine Arts Education Webpage.

Physical Education

On October 7, 2016, the Nebraska State Board of Education approved the Nebraska Physical Education Standards.

The 2006 Nebraska Physical Education Essential Learnings are located on the Physical Education Webpage. The Health Education Standards and the Nebraska State Board of Education Policy for Coordinated School Health, are located on the Coordinated School Health Webpage.

Social Studies

On November 8, 2019, the Nebraska State Board of Education approved the Nebraska Social Studies Standards.

Other formats and the 2012 Nebraska Social Studies Standards are located on the Social Studies Education Webpage.

World Languages

On September 6, 2019, the Nebraska State Board of Education approved the Nebraska World Language Standards.

Other formats and implementation resources are located on the World Language Education Webpage.

Career and Technical Education Programs of Study and Career Field Course Standards

Career Education Programs of Study and Course Standards are located on the Career Education Standards Webpage. This includes Programs of Study and Course Standards within the following Career Fields:

  • Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
  • Business, Marketing, and Management
  • Communication and Information Systems
  • Health Sciences
  • Human Sciences and Education
  • Skilled and Technical Sciences

In response to the strategic priorities outlined in Nebraska’s Career & Technical Education (CTE) Perkins V State Plan, Nebraska business and industry leaders and postsecondary educators were engaged to inform and recommend any needed updates or revisions to the existing State Model Programs of Study. These updates ensure alignment of CTE programs and coursework with the needs of Nebraska’s evolving workforce. These recommendations were taken under consideration as Nebraska educators met to update and revise State Model Programs of Study. This work occurred between December 2020 – December 2021.

The updated State Model Programs of Study, including course-based standards, are located on the program of study webpage. Additional resources are forthcoming, including instructional supports and guidance for implementation. To allow adequate time for schools to update courses, these updated Programs of Study will be implemented in the 2023-2024 school year.

Computer Science and Technology Standards

On February 2, 2024 the Nebraska State Board of Education approved the Nebraska Computer Science and Technology Standards.

Additional information and implementation resources are located on Computer Science & Technology webpage.

English Language Proficiency Standards

In 2013, the Nebraska State Board of Education approved the Nebraska English Language Proficiency (ELP) Standards. The ELP Standards highlight the critical language, knowledge about language, and skills using language that are necessary for English Language Learners (ELLs) to be successful in school.

in 2019, the English Language Proficiency (ELP) Standards for English Learners with Significant Cognitive Disabilities were created and are assessed on the Alt ELPA.

Other information regarding the ELP Standards and the ELPA 21 Assessment is located on the Title III Homepage.

Updated March 11, 2024 3:10pm