Nebraska Schools

    Nebraska schools are doing well making sure no child gets left behind. Test scores have been rising consistently over the reported years. Reading scores rose 10 % overall between 2000 and 2005. Math scores raised 8% and reading scores jumped 13% over the same period. Nebraska seniors are doing well also. The Nebraska Class of 2005’s ACT scores were the highest in the nation (21.8 out of a possible 36), with 76% of seniors tested.

In the 2006-07 school year, the federal government will distribute over $79 million to Nebraska schools to help them achieve their No Child Left Behind (NCLB) requirements. Over $49 million will be distributed to Nebraska schools labeled as “Title I”. Title I schools are schools whose main focus is on raising test scores either because they have not met their Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) or the school is located in a low-income area. Title II schools—those which are focusing on quality teachers—will receive more than $13 million to educate and hire qualified teachers in core subjects including math, reading, and social studies. The No Child Left Behind national goal is to have 100% of teachers in the core academic areas be NCLB qualified (qualification is based on experience, professional development, additional courses, etc.) by the end of the 2006-07 school year.

In addition to federal funding—which is earmarked for specific purposes—Nebraska schools will receive $718 million in the 2006-07 school year.

For information on your specific school, district, or the upcoming 2006 NCLB report card, visit Nebraska’s Department of Education website at http://www.nde.state.ne.us.