Nebraska
U.S.
Rank
- Opportunity
- Innovation
- Policy Environment
Score:
50%
Grade:
F
Rank:
#48
There is no charter law in this state.
Score:
Grade:
F
Rank:
#37
There are no choice programs in this state.
Score:
Grade:
D
Rank:
#41
Does not have a system in place for performance pay; lacking in quality elementary teacher preparation programs.
TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT: 66%
General Teacher Preparation 65%
Elementary Teacher Preparation 55%
Secondary Teacher Preparation 75%
Special Education Teacher Preparation 58%
Alternate Routes 75%
STAFFING AND SUPPORT: 69%
Hiring 80%
Retaining Effective Teachers 57%
TEACHER EVALUATION: 63%
TEACHER COMPENSATION: 68%
Score:
50%
Grade:
F
Rank:
#48
There is no charter law in this state.
Score:
Grade:
F
Rank:
#37
There are no choice programs in this state.
Score:
Grade:
D
Rank:
#41
Does not have a system in place for performance pay; lacking in quality elementary teacher preparation programs.
TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT: 66%
General Teacher Preparation 65%
Elementary Teacher Preparation 55%
Secondary Teacher Preparation 75%
Special Education Teacher Preparation 58%
Alternate Routes 75%
STAFFING AND SUPPORT: 69%
Hiring 80%
Retaining Effective Teachers 57%
TEACHER EVALUATION: 63%
TEACHER COMPENSATION: 68%
Score:
Grade:
C
Rank:
#28
Even before the pandemic, Nebraska encouraged districts to implement E-Learning Days as an instructional model that allows the continuity of learning during school closures. The DOE states on their website, “more importantly, it provides teachers and students the opportunity to engage with digital resources, to collaborate virtually, and to develop digital skills that are used and valued beyond K-12.”
Nebraska supports their educators in becoming skilled and qualified to use educational technology in their instruction. Nebraska’s Digital Learning Center is a robust repository of courses that teachers can take online for professional development. Additionally, the Nebraska Digital Learning Association is a professional development network for educators in K-12, higher education, and state and local governments to collaborate on the use of emerging technology and innovations.
Nebraska’s Lincoln Public Schools district is a member of the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools, giving over 40,000 students digital learning opportunities. The League of Innovative Schools is a network of school leaders in 114 districts in 34 states that aim to enhance and scale digital learning opportunities for students across the nation.
Bandwidth: 100% of students in Nebraska can access the Internet at speeds of 100 kbps per student, and many students are connected at higher speeds.
The state established a competitive innovative grant program called the Innovation Grant Fund. The funds give money to school districts to help foster personalized learning through digital ecosystem development, career academies, after-school innovative programs, and more.

Nebraska did not quickly respond to the COVID-19 crisis, but it did improve as time went on, with officials providing encouragement and resources to districts to continue instruction, and working to get rules and regulations out of the way to give them flexibility to do so. The state did not ensure all students had devices and wifi connectivity to continue virtual learning, but the Nebraska Public Service Commission issued an order allocating $1 million via the Nebraska Universal Service Fund to reimburse internet service providers for providing service to low-income families.
The state’s communication was very strong throughout the pandemic. Commissioner Blomstedt’s weekly updates were posted on the COVID education resource webpage, along with webinars to help teachers, families, and students get the most updated information about the state’s response to the pandemic. The state provided resources and information on the state education department website, and created a great new website called Launch Nebraska for schools to use as they work over the summer to plan for the 20-21 school year.
Commissioner Blomstedt made sure education leaders were not concerned with rules and regulations. When he announced his recommendation that schools remain closed, he said: “Education rules and regulations should be your last concern. You cannot make bad decisions right now if you are focused on the safety, well-being, and basic needs of your children and communities.”
Governor Ricketts supported schools’ reopening plans including in-person instruction. Districts submitted plans and did not receive any pushback from state leaders in terms of starting school on time in the fall.
Fast Facts
4th Grade Math Proficiency:
8th Grade Math Proficiency:
12th Grade Math Proficiency:
4th Grade Reading Proficiency:
8th Grade Reading Proficiency:
12th Grade Reading Proficiency:
Graduation Rate:
Average SAT Score:
Average ACT Score:
Public School Enrollment:
Percent Enrolled in Charter Schools:
Average Student Funding:
Score:
Grade:
C
Rank:
#28
Even before the pandemic, Nebraska encouraged districts to implement E-Learning Days as an instructional model that allows the continuity of learning during school closures. The DOE states on their website, “more importantly, it provides teachers and students the opportunity to engage with digital resources, to collaborate virtually, and to develop digital skills that are used and valued beyond K-12.”
Nebraska supports their educators in becoming skilled and qualified to use educational technology in their instruction. Nebraska’s Digital Learning Center is a robust repository of courses that teachers can take online for professional development. Additionally, the Nebraska Digital Learning Association is a professional development network for educators in K-12, higher education, and state and local governments to collaborate on the use of emerging technology and innovations.
Nebraska’s Lincoln Public Schools district is a member of the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools, giving over 40,000 students digital learning opportunities. The League of Innovative Schools is a network of school leaders in 114 districts in 34 states that aim to enhance and scale digital learning opportunities for students across the nation.
Bandwidth: 100% of students in Nebraska can access the Internet at speeds of 100 kbps per student, and many students are connected at higher speeds.
The state established a competitive innovative grant program called the Innovation Grant Fund. The funds give money to school districts to help foster personalized learning through digital ecosystem development, career academies, after-school innovative programs, and more.

Nebraska did not quickly respond to the COVID-19 crisis, but it did improve as time went on, with officials providing encouragement and resources to districts to continue instruction, and working to get rules and regulations out of the way to give them flexibility to do so. The state did not ensure all students had devices and wifi connectivity to continue virtual learning, but the Nebraska Public Service Commission issued an order allocating $1 million via the Nebraska Universal Service Fund to reimburse internet service providers for providing service to low-income families.
The state’s communication was very strong throughout the pandemic. Commissioner Blomstedt’s weekly updates were posted on the COVID education resource webpage, along with webinars to help teachers, families, and students get the most updated information about the state’s response to the pandemic. The state provided resources and information on the state education department website, and created a great new website called Launch Nebraska for schools to use as they work over the summer to plan for the 20-21 school year.
Commissioner Blomstedt made sure education leaders were not concerned with rules and regulations. When he announced his recommendation that schools remain closed, he said: “Education rules and regulations should be your last concern. You cannot make bad decisions right now if you are focused on the safety, well-being, and basic needs of your children and communities.”
Governor Ricketts supported schools’ reopening plans including in-person instruction. Districts submitted plans and did not receive any pushback from state leaders in terms of starting school on time in the fall.
4th Grade Math Proficiency:
8th Grade Math Proficiency:
12th Grade Math Proficiency:
4th Grade Reading Proficiency:
8th Grade Reading Proficiency:
12th Grade Reading Proficiency:
Graduation Rate:
Average SAT Score:
Average ACT Score:
Public School Enrollment:
Percent Enrolled in Charter Schools:
Average Student Funding:

Jim Pillen (R)
First term began in 2023 (two-term limit)
Governor-Elect Jim Pillen is taking over for Governor Pete Ricketts who was term-limited. Regrettably not much in educational opportunities has occurred in the state of Nebraska in quite some time and hope springs eternal that perhaps a new Governor can pick up the banner of parent power and make it the highest priority. With a ranking of #50 in the Index there is only one way to go for the Cornhusker state and that is up.
Nebraska’s legislature is unique in that it is unicameral — one body — consisting of 49 senators. It is officially non-partisan, but there are more Republicans by nearly a 2-to-1 margin. In 2019, a scholarship tax credit program for low-income students was close to being enacted, but ultimately failed. They also came close to passing a charter school bill in 2017, but that failed also. The state is one of only a handful of states without any meaning for options for parents. Nebraska parent power is long overdue.

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 the state can supply textbooks to private school students at public expense and can contract with religious schools without violating the Nebraska Constitution,” (Institute for Justice) making it likely other choice programs would similarly stand.

School and district reports are easily found on Nebraska’s DOE homepage by clicking Data Policy Research, and Education Profile. Report cards are extremely easy to navigate, and have a great feature that rates the school on a scale of excellent to needs improvement. Data is comprehensive academic and non academic measures. Unfortunately educational options are not as easy to access, limiting transparency.
School board elections are held during the general election cycle, which gives parents more power in their decision making because of higher voter turnout.

Jim Pillen (R)
First term began in 2023 (two-term limit)
Governor-Elect Jim Pillen is taking over for Governor Pete Ricketts who was term-limited. Regrettably not much in educational opportunities has occurred in the state of Nebraska in quite some time and hope springs eternal that perhaps a new Governor can pick up the banner of parent power and make it the highest priority. With a ranking of #50 in the Index there is only one way to go for the Cornhusker state and that is up.
Nebraska’s legislature is unique in that it is unicameral — one body — consisting of 49 senators. It is officially non-partisan, but there are more Republicans by nearly a 2-to-1 margin. In 2019, a scholarship tax credit program for low-income students was close to being enacted, but ultimately failed. They also came close to passing a charter school bill in 2017, but that failed also. The state is one of only a handful of states without any meaning for options for parents. Nebraska parent power is long overdue.

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 the state can supply textbooks to private school students at public expense and can contract with religious schools without violating the Nebraska Constitution,” (Institute for Justice) making it likely other choice programs would similarly stand.

School and district reports are easily found on Nebraska’s DOE homepage by clicking Data Policy Research, and Education Profile. Report cards are extremely easy to navigate, and have a great feature that rates the school on a scale of excellent to needs improvement. Data is comprehensive academic and non academic measures. Unfortunately educational options are not as easy to access, limiting transparency.
School board elections are held during the general election cycle, which gives parents more power in their decision making because of higher voter turnout.