Nebraska
U.S.
Rank
Rank
#32
Overall PPI Score: 64.5%
The unicameral legislature has failed repeatedly to enact measures giving parents the power to make fundamental decisions for their students' education. But a few tenacious state leaders fought hard and showed it could be done. While still behind most other states, it appears that better education for more students among the sweeping plains is just beginning.
Opportunity
Innovation
Policy Environment
Charter Schools
Score
50%
Grade: F
Rank: #45
Nebraska does not have charter schools.
Transformational Learning
Score
75%
Grade: C
Rank: #30
Nebraska allows Innovation School Zones, which offers flexibility and creativity in designing new school models. Additionally, the state emphasizes career readiness through robust CTE and career development programs while acknowledging the importance of...
Leadership
In 2023, Governor Pillen signed the Opportunity Scholarship Act and was promptly met with a ballot initiative to strike it down by opponents. The Governor in a bold move and with the help of longtime education freedom champions in the legislature amended the...
Choice Programs (Scholarships, Vouchers, Tax Credits, etc.)
Score
75%
Grade: C
Rank: #16
In 2023, the Cornhuskers made great strides toward expanding education options with the passage of the Opportunity Scholarship Act. However, when the program faced a ballot initiative challenge this November, efforts to preserve it fell short. While it was...
DID YOU KNOW?
States whose opportunity programs ensure more equitable per-pupil funding and do not restrict eligibility to certain groups of students score higher on PPI!. There are only 3 states - Florida, Arizona, and Indiana - where this applies.
Transparency
School report cards are not as easily identifiable from Nebraska’s Department of Education homepage, which would be ideal but once you search for report card it takes you to a great site: nep.education.ne.gov, an external portal for data, where report cards...
Teacher Quality
One of many data points to assess whether a state has the right policies in place to ensure teacher quality is the "use of student achievement data in teacher preparation accountability." How empty or full the fuel tank above is will give you the answer for your state.
Fast Facts:
4th Grade Math Proficiency: 43%
8th Grade Math Proficiency: 31%
4th Grade Reading Proficiency: 34%
8th Grade Reading Proficiency: 29%
Average SAT Score: 1252 / 1600
Average ACT Score: 19.2 / 36
Graduation Rate: 87%
Constitutional Issues
The state has a Blaine Amendment that has been frequently litigated. It was changed twice, and "now prohibits only appropriations ‘to' rather than 'in aid of' sectarian schools.'" Applying the updated Blaine Amendment, the Nebraska Supreme Court has held that...