[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6526060,"mediaKeyId","3807204-06bd6fdaf82ea7bec548750acc8359a6","parentId",3807204,"title","Department begins formal review of speech and theater endorsements; Midland receives provisional authorization","audioSeconds",277,"startMs",2958000,"endMs",3235000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3807204-06bd6fdaf82ea7bec548750acc8359a6&start=2958&end=3235","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3807204-06bd6fdaf82ea7bec548750acc8359a6/thumbnail_2958000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6526060/Nebraska/Department-begins-formal-review-of-speech-and-theater-endorsements-Midland-receives-provisional-authorization","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6526060-54ef7eec85c6e28330e0eec65a8ffac6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771127968&Signature=ZhO4iLp-jpViDFcIJz1RBskZCC2N3rvGlRGx5-8NwU1zjKslLMuQ2TORUEoLiKj5f6w3Tqnfn6EW269gV5M~v7NEoCNiwzNYek~AlRc9HWVwFSXgV8ZZTd2ISs42ayoqPZHsvFsIyWyaRk6cgz9Ap5TKDcqQ4vwSgqnkt66Oj34otXE8OsbdI~b9Msut4OBtgz9cPphzt6Psaff-rtVDfbGo8A4H0x-ERau2FXuQb7j97NjR0zr2uod9f4y~Pw2lAzkbXU0hYqkfQ~IuDHXKyg9~Rmed~R3JsAyWNqhUTSZb7RHitG4aQAyjBngFi8lfc3M9c85FOJES9UfwA3b8PQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nebraska Department of Education","date","2025-06-06T18:23:46Z","article","At the June 6 State Board of Education meeting, Brad Dirksen, administrator of the department's Office of Accreditation, Certification and Approval, summarized concerns raised by teachers and stakeholders about pathways for speech and theater educators and described the department's steps toward regulatory change.

Dirksen told the board that historically Nebraska had separate speech and theater subject and field endorsements but moved away from narrowly focused subject endorsements in the early 2010s. “Prospective speech or theater teachers were required to earn another subject or field endorsement and add speech or theater as a supplemental endorsement,” Dirksen said, describing the effect that supplemental endorsements had on candidates who wanted a program focused solely on theater or speech.

Dirksen said Midland University applied for a special endorsement authorization under rule 20; the commissioner appointed a review team and provisionally approved a theater endorsement program. That provisional approval allows Midland to establish a theater program while the department and advisory groups consider broader regulatory changes.

The Nebraska Council on Teacher Education (NCTE), an advisory body to the state board, convened an ad hoc committee to review the English language arts endorsement area, which includes speech and theater as supplemental endorsements. Dirksen said the ad hoc committee recommended establishing separate speech and theater subject endorsements and a speech and theater field endorsement; the committee’s recommendations were forwarded to the NCTE executive committee and may be considered by the full council at its June 13 meeting. If endorsed, the recommendation could lead to a public‑input draft of revisions to rule 24 for board consideration.

Dirksen emphasized that current English language arts endorsements would continue to qualify educators to teach speech and theater even if separate endorsements are added. He told the board the department has been engaging a wide group of stakeholders and will bring recommended changes to the board for consideration after the advisory process.

Board members thanked staff for moving through the process and asked for continued outreach to ensure that potential teachers have clear, practical pathways to certification in speech and theater.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 2025 State Board of Education Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Nebraska Department of Education told the State Board June 6 it has provisionally approved a theater endorsement program at Midland University and is pursuing formal regulatory revisions that could reintroduce standalone speech and theater endorsements.","taxTitle","Board of Education, Elected Officials, Organizations, Executive, Nebraska","taxId",28189,"location","Nebraska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6526064,"State board hears expansion of teacher apprenticeship program aimed at special-education shortages",1073,1338000,2411000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3807204-06bd6fdaf82ea7bec548750acc8359a6&start=1338&end=2411","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3807204-06bd6fdaf82ea7bec548750acc8359a6/thumbnail_1338000.jpg","/articles/6526064/Nebraska/State-board-hears-expansion-of-teacher-apprenticeship-program-aimed-at-special-education-shortages","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6526064-561d040af7ef1098214c5a667e0637aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771127968&Signature=L4kNneO~IWCS0neVXVql~JrK-4Sw7U3DOXU5enb0h-Q4NgZPcbagAvuFoOVNLi4tpdZ4ESHmkp2WK8h9wm10Vi2aqCx09dtLp5DhLitSZ-sA3Q~rgP85A4kGRHVo9uXlvfmFlNU1A3Vfgs-VrWlbSr3OxFxGZnwSDztOfSGL~jBxdaMgrJCoEqhl0BUoJgW~VbHMoWPbXmRA8LuPXf6J94kwFyOeR2jXwQ-WdMwihG8oR9jfEDcattf2JcxxA1yDUcfri5GRLwoh5yYOYoOtM2k-pcasNM4XsCP6lPBzs9fe5qpIdW1mAXBG44yHMBpK59gTOjWX0o8JNl9Sfady5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the June 6 State Board of Education meeting, Commissioner of Education Ryan Maher and district and university partners reported rapid growth in Nebraska's teacher apprenticeship program and described plans to scale it to address statewide shortages, particularly in special education.

The apprenticeship blends on‑the‑job experience with coursework and is funded through a mix of state and federal dollars and competitive grants, officials said. “In the apprenticeship program impact, 12 of Nebraska's first teacher apprentices have already entered the classroom,” Commissioner Maher told the board, adding that the program partners with educator-preparation providers and school districts across the state.

Midland University and Westside Community Schools, two early pilot partners, described how the pathway recruits paraeducators and education assistants already working in schools and lets them complete coursework while remaining “boots on the ground” in classrooms. Nancy Christiansen, dean of the Walker School of Education at Midland University, told the board the program leverages prior experience and strengthens district relationships.

Officials provided the board with enrollment figures: three initial pilot programs enrolled 28 apprentices; a subsequent round enrolled 95; and a current round had 56 participants, producing a total cohort of about 179 potential teachers. Program leaders said about 101 of those apprentices are pursuing special‑education endorsements, a priority area identified by the department.

Speakers emphasized supports the districts add to help apprentices succeed: mentor training for building leaders, a dedicated on‑site adviser, wraparound services such as meals for apprentices attending evening classes, and ‘signing day’ events designed to formalize apprentices' transition to teaching positions. Midland representatives reported a high completion rate for their grow‑your‑own programs, saying 94% of participants who start their track complete certification — a statistic Midland cited to argue for continued investment and expansion.

Program leaders said they are pursuing multiple funding streams to sustain growth, including federal and state grants, competitive awards, and district partnerships. They also described a new fully online three‑year pathway designed for candidates who lack prerequisites for existing programs; that online option is operating without dedicated funding at present and officials said they are seeking sustained support before it can scale.

Board members asked about data and capacity. Officials said the program has partnered with eight educator preparation programs and works with 29 school systems, including nonpublic schools, and that the apprenticeship model is intentionally structured to produce endorsements in both elementary education and high‑need areas such as special education.

The presentation closed with board members praising the partnerships and encouraging continued evaluation of outcomes as cohorts mature and enter full teaching roles.

The department and partners said they will return with updates as cohorts complete certification and as funding decisions for program expansion are made.","Department of Education and partner districts told the State Board on June 6 that Nebraska's teacher apprenticeship program has grown from initial pilots into a statewide pathway focused on producing teachers — especially special-education endorsements — using a mix of state and federal funds and partnerships with educator-preparation programs.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6526055,"State Board approves contract authorizations, rule changes and a menstrual‑product pilot with conditions; commissioners' salary increased",2402,9002000,11404000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3807204-06bd6fdaf82ea7bec548750acc8359a6&start=9002&end=11404","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3807204-06bd6fdaf82ea7bec548750acc8359a6/thumbnail_9002000.jpg","/articles/6526055/Nebraska/State-Board-approves-contract-authorizations-rule-changes-and-a-menstrualproduct-pilot-with-conditions-commissioners-salary-increased","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6526055-4ee4a7d8713eed6e9da136dbfb33a789/orig.mp4?Expires=1771127968&Signature=NP0iD3n7T7YAWoPfRvlkUHpmxjecvSZVLV0ioMgHvGwUqWTDJXkbpZS94PPj8xmHYkQdDQpVlmSAu7BoMcNNmycZcvUXIFZ1pHSSEnF3JRdem7oRcy1bNJ~hldyIsaPRLAUMixcVNjice1Zm6nwkWShkcmzUS1cqGe~~a9FCxH924jsMnclIXGCK8MQeOEA50jPJgPTJnrZgeVSonnIIPtI4uBTyJNwQfgOMdAHo3pqx6Fp6FlQyiPc1w~qh1Mh8spLXvn2qF2UsbU~vFo-EEijam70KQJhzF67EKnrJi8gsaJEamnm6rGhGUiwksh63AyzlHumBA3rxh26O-ZwHHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The State Board of Education on June 6 voted on a series of contracts, rule changes and grant approvals. Key outcomes included adoption of revisions to department rules, authorization of multiple grant and contract awards, approval of a 3.25% salary increase for Commissioner Ryan Maher, and authorization of a menstrual‑product pilot program with placement restrictions.

Highlights of board action (votes shown as recorded in meeting roll calls):

- Consent agenda: adopted (recorded roll call result: 8 yes). The board approved routine consent items without removal.

- Adoption of revisions to Title 93 (department personnel rules): adopted (8 yes).

- Addendum to commissioner employment agreement (3.25% salary increase effective July 1, 2025): adopted (8 yes). The board also extended the commissioner's contract through June 30, 2027, per executive committee report.

- PEAK (Promoting Engagement and Knowledge) subgrants: authorized (8 yes).

- 21st Century Community Learning Centers funding recommendations: authorized (8 yes).

- Menstrual‑product pilot program: after extended public comment and board debate, the board adopted an amendment limiting placement to female restrooms and locker rooms and health/nurse offices and then approved the pilot. Final roll call recorded 5 yes, 3 no. The motion as adopted directed the commissioner to contract for the pilot with those placement limitations.

- Contract authority for an educator licensure system: authorized (8 yes).

- New and expansion early childhood grants: approved (6 yes, 2 no on that item).

- Criminal history check fee adjustment (to reflect state patrol rate changes): authorized (8 yes).

- CLSD (Comprehensive Literacy State Development) grant external evaluator contract: authorized (8 yes).

- Adoption or repeal of rules: the board adopted proposed revisions to rule 3 (high‑ability learners) and rule 15 (English learner programs), and adopted proposed repeals of rules 22 (master teacher program), 25 (excellence in teaching act) and 26 (mentor teacher programs) as presented by the rules committee (all procedural roll calls recorded as affirmative by the board where noted).

The meeting included roll calls for each motion; where the transcript did not capture a named mover or seconder, the board record shows the roll call results as read by the recording secretary. Several items were forwarded from committees that met earlier in the week; committee reports summarized staff recommendations, and the board followed committee recommendations on most action items.

Board members and staff said they will follow up with implementation details, timelines and reporting as contracts and grants move forward.","At its June 6 meeting the State Board approved several contract authorizations and rule changes, adopted a 3.25% salary addendum for the commissioner, and authorized a menstrual‑product pilot program limited to female restrooms/locker rooms and health/nurse offices after extensive debate.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Department begins formal review of speech and theater endorsements; Midland receives provisional authorization

State board hears expansion of teacher apprenticeship program aimed at special-education shortages

State Board approves contract authorizations, rule changes and a menstrual‑product pilot with conditions; commissioners' salary increased