Nebraska Council on Teacher Education revises membership policies for broader representation

The Nebraska Department of Education held a State Board of Education meeting on April 1, 2025, where key discussions centered around the Nebraska Council on Teacher Education (NCTE) and proposed revisions to its organizational policies.

During the meeting, Chair Lisa Schonhoff acknowledged the efforts of the planning and evaluation committee, which had a demanding agenda. The board moved to approve revised NCTE policies, set to take effect on July 1, 2025. These changes primarily focus on the composition of teacher membership within the council. The proposal maintains the total number of representatives at 16, with 11 from the Nebraska State Education Association (NSEA) and 5 from non-NSEA members.

The rationale behind the proposed changes was presented, highlighting the need for diverse representation, particularly from private and parochial school teachers, who have historically been absent from the council. The chair emphasized that this adjustment would provide a more balanced perspective within the NCTE.

However, the proposal faced opposition from board member Deborah, who argued that the existing structure already allowed for the appointment of non-NSEA members. She suggested that the issue lies not in policy but in the intentionality of the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) to actively seek out diverse candidates for these positions. Deborah expressed concern that the proposed changes could complicate the appointment process rather than enhance it.

The discussion also included inquiries about the historical difficulty of filling these appointed positions, with Brad Dirkson, administrator of the office of accreditation, confirming that there have been challenges in the past.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to revisit these items in future discussions, reflecting the board's ongoing efforts to ensure effective governance and representation in Nebraska's educational landscape.