Revamping Science Education in Nebraska: A Look at the First Draft of Proposed Standards

The Nebraska Department of Education has released the first draft of proposed revisions to Nebraska’s College and Career Ready Standards for Science. These standards reflect the knowledge and skills students are expected to learn in the science content area and provide guidance to teachers as they develop learning experiences for students.

It is required by Nebraska state law to update standards for reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies every seven years. The current science standards were approved in 2017 and create the framework for science education in the state. Educators from pre-kindergarten to postsecondary, including public and non-public schools, helped develop the first draft of the proposed science standards.

The public is encouraged to review the proposed draft of the science standards and provide input through a public input survey and a science standards input email address before the deadline on May 30, 2024. It is important to note that standards do not prescribe specific curriculum, lessons, teaching techniques, or activities. Those decisions are made locally by individual school districts and classroom teachers. Approval is expected to be finalized by the State Board of Education in the fall of 2024.