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Nebraska hearing tests proposal for a uniform statewide grading system
Summary
Sen. Terrell McKinney’s LB 11-12 would require a uniform statewide grading system for grades 3–12, aiming to make grades comparable across districts. Supporters say it improves fairness and student mobility; school administrators warn it would undermine local control and create reporting burdens.
Sen. Terrell McKinney on behalf of District 11 introduced LB 11-12, the "Statewide Standardized Grading System Act," saying the measure would direct the Nebraska Department of Education to establish a uniform grading system to be applied to credit-bearing coursework in grades 3 through 12 and require consistent calculations and transcript reporting beginning in the 2027–28 school year.
McKinney said the bill "does not dictate curriculum or instructional methods" but instead aims to "promote fairness, transparency and comparability in how student achievement is measured statewide." He told the Education Committee that inconsistencies across districts can disadvantage students who transfer, apply for scholarships or seek to meet graduation requirements.
Opposition testimony came from Tim Heckenlively of the Nebraska Council of School Administrators and the Nebraska State Education Association, who urged the committee to oppose LB 11-12 because it "represents a significant shift away from one of Nebraska's greatest strengths, local control of our public schools." Heckenlively said the bill would require new data infrastructure, staff training and changes to gradebooks and student information systems, and that it is "silent on how the standardized grading system would apply to students with individualized education programs," leaving accommodations unclear.
Jason Witmer of the ACLU testified in a neutral-to-supporting capacity, saying grading practices influence course placement, activities eligibility and graduation timelines and can be an "upstream" factor in students disengaging from school. Witmer said the bill "creates a framework with a real potential" to reduce arbitrary disparities but stressed that implementation details would determine whether the law helps or harms students.
Committee members pressed on details including how grades would map to letter scales or 1–4 systems, treatment of late work and effects on students with IEPs. McKinney acknowledged those concerns and said he was open to amendments, including the exemption of exempt home schools in AM 19-44 and possibly extending the implementation timeline after consulting with the Department of Education.
The committee concluded the LB 11-12 hearing after hearing proponents, opponents and neutral testifiers; no committee action was recorded during the session. The bill remains before the Education Committee for further consideration and amendment.
