Nebraska state law requires the Department of Education to update its reading, writing, math, science and social studies standards every seven years. The current science standards were approved in 2017 and have provided a framework for science education in the state. Now, the department has released the first draft of proposed revisions to these standards, which are currently under review.
The proposed science standards were developed with input from educators from preschool through high school, including public and non-public schools. These standards aim to provide guidance to teachers on the knowledge and skills that students are expected to learn in science content areas. However, it is important to note that the standards do not prescribe a specific curriculum, lessons, teaching techniques or activities. Instead, those decisions are made at the local level by individual school districts and classroom teachers.
The department is seeking public input as part of the standards review and revision process. The public is encouraged to review the proposed draft science standards and provide input via the public input survey and science standards input email before May 30, 2024. Once approved by the State Board of Education in the fall of 2024, these revised science standards will replace the current ones and continue to guide science education in Nebraska.