Nebraska Department of Education sees improvement in state test scores

Newly released state assessment scores show Nebraska’s schools improved this past school year.

Across the state, 58% of students were proficient in English Language Arts, 61% in math and 70% in science. These numbers are higher than before the pandemic.

Commissioner Brian Maher said although he is happy with the results, there are still areas the state can focus on, including students with disabilities, English learners and economically disadvantaged students.

“Hopefully we can build on this momentum and work with our schools to really address issues of high quality materials that we're seeing have an impact in our classrooms, quality instruction, and really continue to help teachers teach because as everybody truly knows, that's where the magic happens in education,” Maher said.

According to Maher, the improvements were expected, as some of the English Language Arts qualifications were changed this year.

Maher said the department will continue to work with schools and the legislature to improve Nebraska’s public schools.

The data also shows there were 275 fewer teachers last year than the 2021-22 school year.

Commissioner Brian Maher said the department is continuing to address the teacher shortage.

“There's a coordinated effort going on between school districts, the Department of Education, higher education, even others in the workforce development area like our state chamber, who are certainly concerned about this particular topic,” Maher said.

There are programs across the state working to help the shortage. Educators Rising is one of them that allows high school students interested in teaching to get experience in the profession early.