August 2026
Nebraska Teacher of the Year Quarterly Report
Sarah Hardin, 2026 Nebraska Teacher of the Year, from Mullen High School gave her quarterly update to the board. She spoke about the importance of making teachers feel seen and heard. Other highlights included NASA Space Camp in Alabama where Sarah worked with other Teachers of the Year in an immersive learning experience. She will be heading to Washington D.C. this Fall before wrapping up her year of service.
Nebraska Council on Teacher Education Annual Presentation
Each year the Nebraska Council on Teacher Education presents to the State Board. The NCTE serves as an advisory body, bringing together stakeholders from across the state who are directly involved in or interested in teacher and administrator preparation and certification. Through this role, NCTE supports the Nebraska Department of Education by identifying policy issues, proposing solutions, and providing feedback on potential revisions.
Early Childhood Education Programs Operated by Public School Districts and Educational Service Units
Public school districts and educational service units that have established early childhood education programs must have those programs approved by the Nebraska State Board. Approval is granted annually based on program compliance in the previous school year. The public school districts and educational service units (ESUs) included for approval submitted the required reports and Statement of Assurance indicating compliance with Rule 11. The Nebraska Department of Education Office of Early Childhood Education staff verified compliance based on a review of information and follow-up with programs, as needed. Board members approved all proposed programs.
Approved Early Childhood Programs
Approval of Educator Preparation Programs for 2026-2027
Each Nebraska educator preparation institution is required to submit an annual request for approval of the programs which will be offered in the upcoming academic year. The annual request includes an assurance statement that the institution is in compliance with the requirements of 92 NAC 20, Regulations for the Approval of Teacher Education Programs.
NDE staff, in conjunction with the Nebraska Council on Teacher Education (NCTE) and national accrediting bodies conduct comprehensive offsite and onsite reviews on a periodic basis for each educator preparation program. Board members approved all listed programs.
List of Nebraska Colleges and University Educator Preparation Programs
Conditional Approval of New Nonpublic Rule 14 School Systems
Candidates submit applications with the intent of becoming a Rule 14 nonpublic school for the 2026-2027 school year. An initial compliance visit is completed to determine the likelihood of
successfully meeting requirements within Rule 14. If the applicants can demonstrate that the new school will be in substantial compliance with Rule 14 by August, a recommendation
will be made by the Commissioner that the applicant school be granted conditional approval.
Three schools applied for conditional approval: Sandhill Cranes Montessori, Adult Education Center, and the Identity Preparatory Academy.
Board members approved Sandhill Cranes Montessori and Adult Education Center. The board voted to postpone a vote on Identity Preparatory Academy until August 11th.
Proposed Revision of Rule 6
The board approved updates to Rule 6 including changes to language, remove repeating statutes, and align with federal regulations.
A summary of the substantive changes from the current Rule 6 include:
1. Refined definitions for personally identifiable information and directory information, public notice and opt-out requirements to align with FERPA.
2. Removed Appendices A and B and incorporated required written agreement terms into
Section 005.
3. Updated and streamlined statutory citations throughout.
Proposed Revisions of Rule 59
The board approved a minor revision to Rule 59 to allow schools to maintain epinephrine in any form approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency first aid. The current rule limits administration of epinephrine auto-injectors; however, additional FDA-approved delivery methods (e.g., inhalers and other emerging formats) are now available.
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