2026 Strategic Plan
Overview
The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) has begun the process of developing a new strategic plan with the current strategic plan ending at the end of 2025. This year-long process is comprised of a three-phase approach: Foundation Setting, Gather Input, & Refine and Implement. The NDE’s goal is to create and implement a strategic plan representing the desired goals and outcomes as determined by Nebraskans in consultation with the State Board of Education. The presentation below was shared with the State Board during the March Work Session. This presentation walks through the entire timeline of the strategic planning process.
In Phase II: Gather Input, the NDE is working diligently to collect the information from a variety of stakeholders to appropriately inform the strategic planning process. Several sources are being used to gather this information from Nebraskans including focus group sessions. Below is information on the focus group sessions that will be held throughout the state.
A component of Phase I was the distribution of three surveys for different stakeholder groups: citizens, education partners (e.g. teachers, administrators, businesses), and NDE staff. Since the closure of the surveys, the data collected has been analyzed and has been compiled into a summary. This is one of many tools being used to gather input from Nebraskans.
Focus Group Sessions
Nebraskans are invited to attend a focus group session to share their input to the vision and direction of the NDE under the new strategic plan. Focus group sessions are scheduled for 90 minutes.
| Date | Time | City | Location |
| April 14, 2025 | 6:30 pm | Lincoln | The Don Clifton Professional Learning Center 710 Hill St. Lincoln, NE 68502 |
| April 15, 2025 | 10:00 am | Omaha Metro | MCC – Fort Omaha Campus – Building 10, Room 136 5300 N. 30th St. Omaha, NE 68111 |
| April 17, 2025 | 6:30 pm | York | York High School Media Center 1005 Duke Dr., York, NE 68467 |
| April 23, 2025 | 6:30 pm | South Sioux City | SSC High School Library 3301 G St., South Sioux City, NE 68776 |
| April 30, 2025 | 6:30pm | Omaha Metro | Millard Public Schools – District Office 5606 S 147th St., Omaha, NE 68137 |
| May 1, 2025 | 6:30 pm | Kearney | Hanny Arram Center for Success 3907 6th Ave., Kearney, NE 68845 |
| May 2, 2025 | 10:00 am | Norfolk | NCC – Lifelong Learning Center 801 East Benjamin Ave., Norfolk, NE 68701 |
| May 7, 2025 | 5:00 pm | Valentine | Valentine High School Commons 431 N. Green St., Valentine, NE 69201 |
| May 8, 2025 | 6:30 pm | Scottsbluff | Scottsbluff Public Schools – Building 23 2617 College Park, Scottsbluff, NE 69361 |
| May 13, 2025 | 6:30 pm | Nebraska City | Nebraska City High School Commons 141 Steinhart Park Rd., Nebraska City, NE 68410 |
| May 15, 2025 | 1:00 pm | McCook | MPCC – McCook East Campus Building – Conference Room 1 905 E. 7th St., McCook, NE 69001 |