Education

This legislative resolution directs the Nebraska Education Committee to conduct an interim study on youth sports participation across the state. The study will examine current rules and policies related to fair play, eligibility standards, and competition guidelines, while also assessing how accessible organized sports are for children in Nebraska. It will analyze the availability and condition of sports facilities and community organizations that support youth engagement, identify barriers to participation, and develop recommendations for improving access and infrastructure. The committee will submit its findings and suggestions to the Legislative Council or Legislature upon completion.

This legislative resolution directs Nebraska's Education Committee to conduct an interim study examining educational opportunities and services for deaf and hard of hearing elementary students in the state. The study will assess teacher availability, access to communication supports like sign language interpretation and assistive technologies, early language development outcomes, coordination among schools and families, educator training, and regional disparities in service access. The committee will gather input from parents, educators, specialists, and state agencies before submitting findings and recommendations to the Legislature. This measure focuses on gathering information rather than implementing immediate policy changes.

This legislative resolution directs the Nebraska Legislature's Education Committee to conduct an interim study on improving the state's education and workforce system to better connect learners with high-demand jobs. The study will examine how education and workforce data can be integrated to guide policy decisions, assess the existing Nebraska Statewide Workforce and Educational Reporting System, and explore ways to link education, credentialing, and employment data. It will also investigate opportunities for collaboration across different education levels and with employers to create aligned career pathways, while considering necessary changes to data sharing and privacy protections. The committee will consult with state departments, educational institutions, and other stakeholders before submitting findings and recommendations to the Legislature.

This legislative resolution directs the Nebraska Education Committee to conduct an interim study on federally funded Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The study will examine how these programs operate in Nebraska, review their history and funding sources, and assess staffing challenges and compliance with federal background check requirements. It will also compare Nebraska's approach with strategies used in other states to support early childhood education. The committee is tasked with reporting its findings and policy recommendations to the Legislature after completing the study.

This bill amends Nebraska's legal definition of "graduate degree programs" to clarify which degrees qualify under state law. It specifies three categories: first professional degrees (e.g., law, medicine, dentistry), master's degrees (with separate lists for professional fields like nursing or engineering versus academic fields like business or sciences), and doctoral degrees (including PhDs and similar). The change replaces the existing definition to provide explicit examples, ensuring consistent administrative classification for state reporting and program oversight. It does not create new programs or alter funding but affects how Nebraska's education agencies categorize graduate offerings.