2025-2026 Reading Improvement Act Application Open May 1st (Formerly titled: Nebraska Revised Statute 79-11,157.01 Collection)
Public, Nonpublic, ESU 3, ESU 13
Information:
The 2025-2026 Reading Improvement Act application will be available in the New NDE Portal May 1, 2026 and is due June 15, 2026.
This application supports compliance with the Nebraska Reading Improvement Act (NRS 79‑2601 through 79‑2607) and Nebraska Revised Statute 79‑11,157.01.
Who is required to report?
- Each public school building in all Nebraska public school districts
- Approved and/or accredited nonpublic school buildings serving children ages 4 through grade 3
- State Board of Education–approved early childhood education programs operated by ESUs (i.e., only early childhood programs at ESU 3 and ESU 13)
Reporting Overview:
- Public school buildings report data related to: Students evaluated due to a suspected Specific Learning Disability in reading; Individualized Reading Improvement Plan identification and growth for students in kindergarten through grade 3; and Teachers of children ages 4 through grade 3 who are adequately trained in evidence‑based reading instruction, as defined by the Nebraska Literacy Project Evidence‑Based Reading Instruction Professional Learning Rubric.
- Approved/accredited nonpublic schools and Rule 11-approved early childhood programs (i.e., ESUs 3 & 13) only report data for teachers of children ages 4 through grade 3 who are adequately trained in evidence‑based reading instruction per the the Nebraska Literacy Project Evidence‑Based Reading Instruction Professional Learning Rubric, as required under NRS 79‑2607.
Resources:
Detailed reporting requirements for each entity are outlined in the applicable Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) documents:
- Public Schools- Reading Improvement Act FAQ
- Nonpublic Schools and ESU 3 & 13’s Early Childhood Programs- Reading Improvement Act FAQ
Access:
- All District Admin and Proxy roles (District Admin-Public, District Admin- Nonpublic, District Admin-ESU, Proxy Admin-Public, Proxy Admin- Nonpublic, and Proxy Admin- ESU) and the SPED Director- Public role will automatically be granted access to the Reading Improvement Act application.
- Administrators may then assign access to additional staff members as needed.
- To request access, once logged in to the New Portal, go to Profile> Requests and request the “Reading Improvement Act- District” role.
Need Help?
Reading Improvement Act Questions: Contact IDEA Part B Specialist: Tara Korshoj (tara.korshoj@nebraska.gov) or Reading Specialist: Olivia Alberts (olivia.alberts@nebraska.gov)
Technical Questions or Portal Support: Contact the NDE Service Desk (NDE.ServiceDesk@Nebraska.gov)