Social Studies Standards Revision Update

Nebraska Statute requires the State Board of Education to develop a plan to review and update standards for reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies every seven years. The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) is leading a group of Nebraska social studies experts, including teachers, administrators, ESU staff, and postsecondary representatives, in revising the 2012 Nebraska Social Studies Standards. The revised standards, “Nebraska’s College and Career Ready Standards for Social Studies,” create the framework for social studies education in Nebraska that includes civics, economics, geography, and history. The process is in the early stages and will not be submitted for approval until 2019. The NDE is seeking public input through a survey available online at www.education.ne.gov/.

State Board Sets Legislative Priorities

The State Board of Education has set legislative priorities for 2019.  Board members voted to put an emphasis on policies that involve behavioral and mental health, college, career and civic readiness, and early childhood education.

2019 Board of Education Legislative Priorities

Project AWARE Grant Approved

The State Board approved a five year, $1.8 million grant for Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education). The grant will increase awareness of mental health issues among school-aged youth, provide training for school personnel and other adults who interact with school-aged youth to detect and respond to mental health issues, and connect school-aged youth, who may have behavioral health issues or serious mental illness, and their families to needed services. The department is partnering with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and three Local Education Agencies in Chadron, South Sioux City, and Hastings.

Project Aware Grant

Goals and Objectives

Board Approves School Safety Grants

Board members voted to accept more than $4 million in School Safety Grants; one from the U.S. Department of Education and two from the U.S. Department of Justice. The purpose of the grants is to enrich school safety by enhancing the school safety structure across the state focusing on threat assessment, threat management, security assessments, and emergency operation and safety planning at the school level.

School Safety Grants

 Accountability and Accreditation Retreat

Board members gathered with staff from NDE during the October meeting to discuss accountability and accreditation policy.  Topics included what purpose the State Board wants accreditation to serve, what role the state should play in accreditation, and how AQuESTT should factor into accreditation. The State Board will use the discussions as a framework to help shape the role of accountability and accreditation of schools in the future.

Accountability and Accreditation Retreat Discussion Items