Every Student, Every Day!

Rachel Wise, District 3, Nebraska State Board of Education (February, 2015)

Rachel Wise

Nebraska Education Commissioner Matt Blomstedt uses the mantra Every Student, Every Day! The State Board has begun a review of one of its major policies, G1, which addresses Nondiscrimination and Equal Educational Opportunity in Schools. This policy reflects the beliefs of the Commissioner and all State Board members. The review is intended to reaffirm our commitment to focusing on Every Student, Every Day. Diversity enriches our lives, our families and our communities. I embrace diversity― friends, family members and coworkers with disabilities, from different races or cultures, differing religious views, and, yes, even differing political views! We are blessed to live in a country where we can have differing views but still share a common belief in freedom and democracy.

This month, the State Board spent quite a bit of time reviewing legislative bills that could directly or indirectly impact the Nebraska Department of Education and/or local school districts. During the review process, the Board determines whether to support, oppose or take a neutral position on legislative bills and resolutions. Last year, the Board spent quite a bit of time on proposed legislation which would have had a significant impact on “local control.” While that proposal did not move forward, a very similar bill is back this year. Legislative Bill 617 which was introduced by Sen. Tyson Larson of O’Neill, has a few good provisions but a requirement to retain 3^rd graders not reading at “grade level” is quite disconcerting. The state should not make decisions about retention! That important decision should be a local decision between parents and teachers. Local school boards should make important decisions about the needs of the children they serve and determine retention practices. Do I think kids should be reading by 3^rd grade? Yes! Do I know there are unique situations that affect children’s reading― children who have disabilities or children whose first language is not English? Yes! But, most importantly, parents and teachers need to make decisions about retention―not the Legislature!! The State Board voted to oppose LB 617. I believe local control of public education is an important value that we need to maintain. We elect local leaders to make the important decisions and, yes, sometimes difficult decisions, regarding educational opportunities and needs within our local communities.

The State Board of Education also took a major step toward implementing a new quality and accountability system in Nebraska. The new system, Accountability Quality Education System Today and Tomorrow (AQuESTT), was incorporated into Rule 10. To be accredited, public schools must meet Rule 10 requirements, so building AQuESTT and the accountability requirements into the rule appeared to be the logical step. Under AQuESTT, schools will be classified and held accountable for student achievement to keep the focus of schools on Every Student, Every Day!

Finally, the State Board has two study committees working to provide pertinent information and direction for Early Childhood Education and Career & Technical Education. Pat Timm of Beatrice chairs the Early Childhood Education study committee. John Witzel of Papillion chairs the Career & Tech Ed study committee. In an upcoming article I will highlight the preliminary recommendations of these two very important committees. 

This article represents my personal view, not that of the State Board of Education or my role as president. Feel free to contact me at rachel.wise@nebraska.gov. Search the Nebraska Department of Education website at www.education.ne.gov to learn more about education in our state.