This bill amends various sections of the Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska to enhance educational reporting requirements and programs. It mandates that school districts provide detailed reports on option enrollment applications, including the number of applications approved and rejected, with a specific focus on students with disabilities. The State Board of Education is required to compile and report this information to the Legislature annually starting September 1, 2024. Additionally, the bill updates provisions related to alternative schools and educational programs for expelled students, ensuring that districts have appropriate options and follow specific procedures prior to expulsion.

Moreover, the legislation introduces the Nebraska Teacher Apprenticeship Program, aimed at recruiting and training teachers through an apprenticeship model, which includes eligibility criteria and requirements for program completion. It also offers grant opportunities for teachers who meet retention criteria and obtain endorsements in high-need areas. The bill further includes new reporting requirements for school districts regarding reading deficiencies in students from kindergarten through third grade, and it modifies the College Pathway Program Act to allow the State Department of Education to contract with eligible providers for educational services to underrepresented and low-income students. Key changes include the insertion of new reporting requirements and the update of deadlines for property tax request documents.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 79-239, 79-266, 79-308, 79-528, 79-816, 79-1035, 79-3407, 79-3703, 79-3704