This bill amends section 79-1054 of the Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska to update the provisions related to grants funded from the State Department of Education Improvement Grant Fund. It establishes a new improvement grant program that will focus on areas such as teacher recruitment and retention, school improvement, and enhancing student performance in reading and mathematics. The bill specifies that these grants will be funded using lottery funds and requires the State Board of Education to submit annual reports on the grant programs, including evaluations of their effectiveness.

Additionally, the bill transfers certain responsibilities from the State Board of Education to the Department of Economic Development, which will now oversee grants for learning platforms. It defines a "learning platform" and outlines the criteria for grant applications, including compliance with academic standards and data security requirements. The bill also creates the State Department of Education Improvement Grant Fund, detailing how funds will be allocated and managed. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance educational outcomes through targeted funding and improved oversight of grant programs.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 79-1054