This bill amends the Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska to enhance educational opportunities for students under juvenile court jurisdiction by establishing a centralized education records system. The State Department of Education is mandated to create this system to ensure uninterrupted education services and timely sharing of academic records. The bill also requires the employment of registrars to manage these records and facilitate credit hour awards for completed academic work. Furthermore, it outlines the responsibilities of the Commissioner of Education regarding the issuance of high school diplomas and sets a timeline for implementing these provisions.

In addition to improving educational access for vulnerable populations, the bill modifies public high school graduation requirements by introducing mandatory courses in personal finance and computer science. It allows students under juvenile court jurisdiction to graduate without additional requirements if they were enrolled in a public high school or to receive a state diploma if they do not graduate from an accredited institution. The legislation also establishes a grant program funded by lottery funds to support the development of learning platforms in chemistry, physical science, and mathematics, with the State Board of Education responsible for setting standards and prioritizing grant applications. The bill creates the State Department of Education Improvement Grant Fund to support these initiatives and modifies the allocation of funds, including the repeal of certain sections of existing law.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 79-303.01, 79-729, 79-1054
Final Reading: 79-303.01, 79-729, 79-1054
Slip Law: 79-303.01, 79-729, 79-1054