The Nebraska State Board of Education set forth a strategic vision and direction to ensure all Nebraskans, regardless of background or circumstances, have equitable access to opportunities for success and to increase the number of Nebraskans who are ready for success in postsecondary education, career, and civic life.

The Guiding Principles used in developing the Digital Education Position Statement include:

• Ensure a student-centered approach that incorporates personalized learning to foster deeper learning competencies and greater skill development
• Support a dynamic vision that drives change through proactive leadership to support learning
• Build connections amongst stakeholders to take action in support of success for all learners
• Provide all Nebraskans significant opportunity to receive fair, equitable, and high quality education and services to close achievement gaps
• Allow all learners to achieve their fullest potential in transitioning through phases of school and into civic life
• Ensure all educators are effectively using instructional strategies and monitoring student progress using multiple measures of proficiency
• Prepare all learners to be college, career, and civic ready

Using these guiding principles, the State Board of Education believes that digital education and related supports must provide quality-learning opportunities for all Nebraska students and that Nebraska schools are Ready for the Future (Future Ready).

The State Board defines “digital education” as the teaching and learning through tools, resources, or approaches that are realized or carried out chiefly using or supported by technology. The approaches provide access to learners regardless of location and are broadly available through synchronous (real time), asynchronous (on demand), or blended (a combination) delivery models. The digital learning facilitated by technology gives students some element of control over time, place, path, and/or pace in pursuit of increased student engagement personalized learning.

The State Board of Education supports the development and implementation of statewide systems supporting quality digital education. These systems should promote effective instructional and assessment practices; enhance student learning; ensure equity of access, regardless of background and circumstances; promote effective evidence based practices for learning; and ensure quality professional digital learning experiences for educators.

The State Board of Education also believes that the pursuit of quality digital education must be supported through a solid infrastructure, including consistent broadband access, uses industry based technology and data standards, and must ensure the privacy and security of student information.

Finally, the State Board of Education supports the Department’s creation and implementation of a statewide digital learning and educational technology plan that achieves the priorities of the NSBOE strategic plan and direction including a digital course and content repository, integration of resources for implementation, and addresses the following key areas:

• Budget and Resources
• Community Partnerships
• Curriculum, Instruction and Assessments
• Data and Privacy
• Personalized Professional Learning
• Robust Infrastructure
• Use of Space and Time