The Role of the Judge

Rachel Wise, District 3, Nebraska State Board of Education 

Rachel Wise

Since the Nebraska State Board of Education did not meet in July, we had an incredibly full agenda for our August work session and business meeting. As I list some of the highlights of the past meeting, I want to remind readers of the State Board’s three broad areas of responsibility. That is policy-making, development and adoption of rules and regulations and quasi-judicial decision-making. In most of my articles I share information about the policy-making and regulatory responsibilities of the board, but for this article, I want to start out with the quasi-judicial role.

What does the board do in its quasi-judicial role? We make some very difficult decisions about the certificates of educational professionals―teachers, coaches, administrators, etc. At this meeting, we had four certification cases about which we had to make “judgments.” This is some of the most challenging work that we do as a board. Educational professionals have an ethical code of conduct they must follow and at times, some individuals make very poor choices or decisions. The Nebraska Professional Practices Commission (PPC) is the first line of decision-makers when an educational professional is alleged to have violated the code of conduct. Typically, all of the evidence in any case is introduced when the PPC hears from witnesses and receives documents as evidence. In cases where the PPC believes an educator’s certificate should be suspended or revoked, then all of the case materials are filed with the State Board of Education who becomes the final quasi-judicial decision-maker. While decisions on whether educators lose their certificates for a short-time or for a lifetime are very difficult, in my opinion, this is one of the most important roles we fulfill as board members.

On to a more uplifting topic, accountability!! At the August meeting the Nebraska Department of Education presented a draft framework of an accountability and quality system for Nebraska schools ― called A QuESTT (Accountability for a Quality Education System, Today and Tomorrow}. Under this system, schools will be classified as excellent, great, good or needs improvement. As required by LB 438, three schools most in need of improvement will be identified as priority schools. Tenets of the system are as follows: College and Career Readiness; Assessment; Positive Partnerships, Relationships and Student Success; Educator Effectiveness; Transitions; and Educational Opportunities and Access. During the next few months specific indicators, measures and timelines will be identified. Public hearings and public comment opportunities will be held to gather input before finalizing the new system.

We are now moving closer to adopting more rigorous college and career ready, English Language Art Standards in Nebraska. On August 5^th, public hearings were held throughout the state to gather additional input on the standards. The next step is a final review and validation by postsecondary education, then back to the State Board in September.

Finally, I would like to take a moment to thank Lynn Cronk, who stepped down from the State Board of Education as a result of her move from Grand Island to Lincoln. Lynn has been a longtime public servant, serving first on the Grand Island School Board and then the State Board of Education for almost four years. Lynn demonstrated a strong passion for education and was a champion for all students.

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