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Midland University students, theater educators urge board to create theater endorsement and degree
Summary
Students and theater directors from Midland University and Wayne State College told the State Board of Education that Nebraska lacks a full theater education major and urged the board to adopt a theater subject endorsement or degree to retain students and staff.
Several Midland University students and regional theater educators used the State Board of Education's public-comment period on Oct. 3 to urge the board to recognize a theater subject endorsement and to consider supporting a full theater education degree.
Dan Hayes, director of theater at Midland University, introduced four students and thanked the board for meeting in Fremont. "I brought four of my students today so you could hear directly from the students about their passion about teaching theater," Hayes said.
Student speakers described how limited licensure paths and the absence of a full theater education major affect both aspiring teachers and local schools. Avery Hogue, a freshman pursuing a secondary English degree with theater credits at Midland, said a 30-credit theater endorsement would make teachers "more qualified to teach a subject with immeasurable value" and would help small rural programs retain and recruit theater instructors.
Jenna Poole, a senior English education major with a theater endorsement, told the board that some students need an endorsement while others need a full degree. "Both the endorsement and the full degree would be very valuable for many future educators," Poole said.
Rusty Ruth, director of theater at Wayne State College, told the board his program produces regular cohorts of theater education majors and that a recent survey of current and former students indicated about 90% would have preferred a full subject endorsement. He said Nebraska's current policy makes it harder to bring graduates back into local schools.
These remarks occurred during the public comment portion of the agenda; no board action on theater endorsement or degree pathways was taken at the meeting. Board members heard the testimonials and indicated the topic would be relevant to ongoing work on educator preparation pathways, certification and endorsements.
What happens next: NDE staff and relevant committees (Rules & Regulations, Planning & Evaluation, and executive committees) will consider educator preparation pathways, Rule 20/21/24 revisions and related items in future committee meetings and rule‑making hearings as appropriate.
