NebraskaREADS

Nebraska Reading Improvement Act

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The NebraskaREADS initiative was created to serve the needs of students, educators, and parents along the journey to successful reading. The NebraskaREADS initiative supports the policies and practices outlined in the Nebraska Reading Improvement Act, which was enacted in 2018 and went into effect during the 2019-2020 school year. The law takes a comprehensive approach to improve the early literacy skills of Nebraska’s K-3 students. It emphasizes the importance of strong early reading instruction and individualized supports for students who are struggling. The Nebraska Reading Improvement Act values the need to implement, with fidelity, targeted interventions to bring all students to grade-level proficiency. The Nebraska State Board of Education supports and encourages systemic efforts to improve early literacy for all students as outlined in their Early Literacy Position Statement.

NebraskaREADS provides tools and resources to support high-quality literacy instruction for all Nebraska students. The initiative highlights policies, procedures, and practices that guide the selection and implementation of evidence-based literacy practices and interventions, and assists districts as they build family, school, and community partnerships to help students become successful readers, setting them up for learning, earning, and living.

Nebraska Revised Statute section 79-101 requires school districts to collect and provide to the Nebraska Department of Education information related to learning disabilities, including dyslexia.

The data collecting and reporting set forth in the law is required of all Nebraska public school districts.

Beginning with school year 2023-2024, and each year after, each public school district shall provide to the State Department of Education:

• the number of students in each public school evaluated (tested) for a specific learning disability (SLD) in the area of reading ages 3 to 21;
  • this should include students assessed with instruments that identify the characteristics of dyslexia;
• the results of the evaluation (testing) to determine eligibility under the category of specific learning disability (SLD) in the area of reading;
• the number of students identified as having a reading deficiency according to assessments administered under the requirements of the Nebraska Reading Improvement Act, revised statute (79-2601 to 79-2607), and;
• the number of students who have shown growth on the approved screeners (assessments) used to identify a reading deficiency from the fall administering to the spring administering.

Download a PDF of FAQ Information Related to Learning Disabilities, Including Dyslexia

Last Updated on 4/1/2024

Linked2Literacy provides ownership of literacy materials to the underserved through community partnerships. They promote mental health and wellness, give information on closing the reading gap, and believe essential skills are developed by owning quality books, educational games, and puzzles. Currently, Linked2Literacy works with existing nonprofits and organizations to accomplish this goal.

If your school or organization wants to apply for literacy materials, please complete the Linked2Literacy Organization Intake form.

For community members, educators, and families interested in volunteering their time to help support the Linked2Literacy mission, please complete the Linked2Literacy Involvement form.

Creativity is a necessity when working with youth. Walk 2 Unlock Nebraska allows classrooms and out-of-school clubs the opportunity to engage youth to learn about agriculture, nature, historical, and science-based content along one of four Nebraska trails. Two trails are currently open. The next two will be built over the 2023-2024 school year.

Walk 2 Unlock supports the whole child, working to provide activities to support body and mind. The program features an interactive map of Nebraska that allows users to track their locally achieved physical activity miles to make progress on virtual trails across the state. As students travel across the virtual trails, they will encounter checkpoints to learn more about the state through STEAM lessons appropriate for grades K-8th. Check out for Walk to Unlock Nebraska for more information.

Walk to Unlock Nebraska is a program of the Nebraska Department of Education Healthy Schools Program in partnership with Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation’s Agriculture in the Classroom, Nebraska Game and Parks, Nebraska Tourism, Midwest Dairy, History Nebraska, and Nebraska Public Media.

Nebraska Children and Families Foundation supports children, young adults, and families with the overall goal of giving our state’s kids what they need to thrive. We do this by building strong communities that support families so their children can grow up to be successful, productive adults. Please visit https://www.nebraskachildren.org/ for more information on how to maximize the potential of Nebraska’s children, youth, and families through collaboration and community-centered impact.