State Board of Education Meeting
Revisions to Title 92 Nebraska Administrative Code, Chapter 11 (Rule 11)
NDE Rule 11 — which outlines regulations for the approval of prekindergarten programs and the issuance of early childhood education grants is being revised! A draft of the rule is available on the NDE Rules and Regulations page and we want to hear from you about the proposed changes. The rule was last updated in 2020, and changes are now being proposed to reflect evolving needs and state policy.
Key policy issues driving these revisions include:
- Alignment with recent changes in state statute
- Simplification of the teacher waiver process
- Rethinking staffing structures to help address teacher shortages
- Greater focus on literacy, curriculum, and staff training
NDE Strategic Planning Process
The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) is seeking input from the public on a new strategic plan. Nebraska’s Strategic Plan will guide the Board and the NDE in the future. As part of the process, members of the public are encouraged to attend an upcoming focus group planned from April 14th – May 7th at various locations across the state.
Details on locations and times and more information on the strategic plan can be found on the 2026 Strategic Plan Page.
Nominations and Applications for the 2026 Nebraska Teacher of the Year are now open.
Nebraska has amazing teachers and being able to recognize their excellence is one of the highlights of the year. The Nebraska Department of Education is proud to provide an opportunity to recognize the best teachers in the state through the Nebraska Teacher of the Year Program. Do you know a teacher that should be our next Teacher of the Year?


ESSER Webpage and Resources
The ESSER webpage houses all materials related to the three rounds of Covid-19 federal stimulus dollars: CARES, CRRSA, and ARP. A suite of resources has been created, including a Funding Guide and Budget Roadmap, outlining suggested steps for investment planning.