Nebraska Student-Centered Assessment System

Student outcomes are an important part of any educational policy discussion. Tracking student progress, primarily through standardized testing, has often been used to predict student educational outcomes. Nebraska has used a standardized system of state-wide testing of students for many years.

THANKS-GIVING

BETH’S BITSThis issue comes out on Thanksgiving. Ironically Thanksgiving is a holiday where we give thanks, and we shop for giving presents soon after.We won’t be Black Friday shopping, at least not in person this year, as that’s when we’ll be gathering with family.

Finding gratitude in the worst of times

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOKSometimes I feel like we are living in Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities.

Giving Thanks For Family, Friends, and Nebraska Values

NEBRASKA SENATORNext week, Americans across the country will gather around their dining tables with family and loved ones to pause, reflect, and give thanks. As I prepare to do the same, I’ve been thinking deeply about the blessings in my own life.

Community Connection

Call Annie Jeffrey Health Center at (402) 747-2031 for more informationThe first week in December is Aplastic Anemia Awareness & MDS Week. In the United States, thousands of men, women and children are stricken with Aplastic anemia and Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).

GRATITUDE

ALAN’S ANECDOTESIn preparation for Thanksgiving, I was thinking about the nature of gratefulness. It’s good that Thanksgiving follows Veteran’s Day. In at least one way, gratefulness is like courage. Courage is not the absence of fear.

LIHEAP Heating Issuances Delayed Due to Government Shutdown

Lincoln, NE – Heating issuances for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) have been delayed due to the federal government shutdown, which was effective from October 1 to November 12, 2025.

DHHS Recognizes Families For National Adoption Day

Lincoln, NE – This year, November 22 is recognized as National Adoption Day – a day to celebrate families who have opened their hearts and homes to children in need of permanent, loving families, and to raise awareness about the ongoing need for adoptive families.

Memory is a Funny Thing

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOKSometimes I am amazed at how my mind works.I remember the most random things — random occurrences, random scenarios from my childhood.Last week my mind hit a brick wall.I was getting ready for Thanksgiving travel and looking up directions to my parents’ new house.

School Financing Reform Commission (SFRC)

REPRESENTING YOUDuring the initial three meetings of the School Financing Reform Commission (SFRC) we’ve received quite a bit of information and had many conversations about funding our public schools and property taxes.