News Releases

March 2025

Mar 21st

Commissioner Remarks on Federal Department of Education

Nebraska Department of Education Commissioner Brian Maher sent the following letter to school and ESU administrators on the topic of the Federal Department of Education. On Thursday, President Trump signed an executive order, “Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities.” The order states, “The Secretary of Education shall, to...

Mar 12th

Nebraska World Language Distinguished Scholars Recognized

The Nebraska Department of Education is proud to honor 70 students with the Distinguished World Language Scholar Award during World Language Week 2025. These students have demonstrated outstanding leadership in language learning, commitment to language study, appreciation for cultural diversity, and communicative competence. Nominated by their teachers, each student submitted...

Mar 7th

Dr. Jane Stavem Selected as Deputy Commissioner of Education

The Nebraska State Board of Education has appointed Dr. Jane Stavem as a Deputy Commissioner of Education. The decision comes after a nationwide search process. As deputy commissioner, Dr. Stavem will provide leadership and guidance for the day-to-day operations of the NDE, provide agency-wide administrative support to the Commissioner, and...

February 2025

Feb 14th

Teacher Survey Shows Positive Trends in Teacher Recruitment and Retention

The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) is pleased to announce encouraging developments in teacher recruitment and retention efforts, as highlighted in the recently released 2024-25 Teacher Vacancy Survey Report. This annual survey provides critical insights into the state’s teacher workforce, and this year’s findings underscore progress in addressing staffing challenges....

Feb 11th

Neligh Teacher Presented with $25,000 Milken Educator Award

Governor Jim Pillen, Education Commissioner Dr. Brian Maher, Milken Educator Awards Vice President Jennifer Fuller join in bestowing “Oscar of Teaching” on Neligh-Oakdale Jr./Sr. High School teacher Dexter Hanzel BIO, PHOTOS AND VIDEO: https://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/educators/view/dexter-hanzel Neligh-Oakdale Junior/Senior High School teacher Dexter Hanzel received the surprise of a lifetime this morning when...

Feb 6th

Student Organizations Celebrate Legislative Day

Event Photos Students from across the state representing seven of Nebraska’s Career and Technical Student Organizations visited the Capitol February 4th in celebration of CTSO Legislative Day. The event helped students develop a better understanding of state government and the Nation’s only unicameral. While at the Capitol, students met with...

January 2025

Jan 27th

Summer Food Service Program Grant Released

Children need good food all year long, even when they are not in school. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides healthy meals to children, ages one to 18, free of charge. Community organizations and private nonprofits, as well as schools, and tribal and local governments, including parks and recreation...

Jan 16th

Nebraska Schools Among 69 Nationally Recognized for Academic Achievement In 2024

Two Nebraska schools are among 69 across the U.S. that have been named 2024 National ESEA Distinguished Schools for the extraordinary success of their students. The National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators (NAESPA)—formerly the National Title I Association—has been selecting examples of superior, federally funded school programs for national recognition through the...

Jan 15th

NDE SEEKING PUBLIC INPUT ON NEBRASKA’S COLLEGE AND CAREER READY STANDARDS FOR FINE ARTS, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, SOCIAL STUDIES, AND WORLD LANGUAGES

Nebraska state statute requires updates to Nebraska College and Career Ready content standards every seven years. Current standards for Fine Arts, Physical Education, Social Studies, and World Languages were adopted by the Nebraska State Board of Education in 2014, 2016, 2019, and 2019, respectively. The information collected will be used...

December 2024

November 2024

Nov 27th

Scores Remain Steady on Statewide Assessment and Accountability Results

Video of the Commissioner’s News Conference is available for download: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TK8rC_Pd7ifVrox8mq5NNdPFH6ywJ7-6/view?usp=share_link The Nebraska Department of Education released the Nebraska Student-Centered Assessment System (NSCAS) results and the Accountability for a Quality Education System Today and Tomorrow, or AQuESTT classifications today. Both reports provide insight into how students are performing academically on...

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