Nebraska's educators know the state's long-term competitiveness depends on continually improving student learning and outcomes for our 300,000+ K-12 students. That's why what they teach in classrooms all over the state is tied closely to content area standards--standards developed by Nebraska educators, approved by the State Board, and reviewed…

Although annual state tests had been federally required since 2001, and the consortia and standards were led by states, the new tests became a focal point of narratives about federal overreach and over-testing. Current wisdom holds that testing has become politically toxic. There are real risks that some states are rolling back advancements in…

Competency-based education--also known as proficiency-based, mastery-based, and performance-based education--has received increased attention in recent years as an education approach that may help ensure that students graduate from high school with the knowledge and skills necessary for college and their careers. In competency-based education,…

In the United States, approximately 65 percent of all jobs in 2020 will require some level of postsecondary education, and the demand will reach 68 percent in Iowa. This report seeks to inform public discourse on higher education by providing key performance indicators relevant to the goal of improving educational attainment for a healthy economy…

In the United States, approximately 65 percent of all jobs in 2020 will require some level of postsecondary education, and the demand will reach 71 percent in Nebraska. This report seeks to inform public discourse on higher education by providing key performance indicators relevant to the goal of improving educational attainment for a healthy…

In the United States, approximately 65 percent of all jobs in 2020 will require some level of postsecondary education, and the demand will reach 71 percent in Nebraska. This report seeks to inform public discourse on higher education by providing key performance indicators relevant to the goal of improving educational attainment in Nebraska.…

Formative assessment has recently become a focus of renewed research as state and federal policy-makers realize that summative assessments have reached a point of diminishing returns as a tool for increasing student achievement. Consequently, supporters of large-scale testing programs are now beginning to consider the potential of formative…

Educational policy issues must be seen as statements of intention, with the practice issues of accountability kept separate. Accountability should not be juxtaposed to school improvement. Instead, accountability should be defined broadly as doing the things that improve practice so that the intended results can be achieved. If there is no balance…

This guide is intended to guide local discussion and assist public school staff in implementing standards, assessment, and reporting procedures under the policies of the Nebraska State Board of Education. In 1998, the State Board of Education adopted the Nebraska Learning Educational Achievement through Rigorous Nebraska Standards (Nebraska…

Describes Nebraska's School-based Teacher-led Assessment and Reporting System (STARS), a criterion-referenced assessment system that measures school and district performance over time. (PP)

This handbook was created by and for Nebraska teachers. It includes samples from and reflections on the work of seven teams of teachers who worked, under the auspices of a Goals 2000 project, to develop local assessments. The project had three main phases. The teams came together for a summer workshop in 1999 where they learned "assessment…

In Spring 2000, Nebraska passed legislation supporting a school-based and teacher-led initiative. The plan provides districts flexibility in the testing tools they use, but still requires districts to develop standards, report annually on student progress, and participate in an annual statewide writing assessment. (Contains 13 references.) (MLH)

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLBA) focused attention on the academic achievement of more than 5 million students with limited English proficiency. Obtaining valid test results for these students is challenging, given their language barriers. This testimony describes: (1) the extent to which these students are meeting annual academic…

This guide is intended to provide new and updated information for Nebraska educators in developing procedures for implementation of the Nebraska School-Based Teacher-Led Assessment and Reporting System (STARS). The information supports and updates information in the 1999 STARS guide and the STARS "Toolkit" of December 1999. It is…

This update is intended to provide a summary of current information for implementing the Nebraska School-Based Teacher-Led Assessment and Reporting System (STARS). It is part of a series of materials provided by the Nebraska Department of Education beginning with the STARS guide of 1999. The summary includes background information, including the…