LINCOLN — Lawmakers advanced a measure Thursday aimed at increasing parent involvement in K-12 learning and expanding access to certain educational materials.
Legislative Bill 71State Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue would update a 30-year-old law on what rights parents, guardians and educational decision makers have in K-12 schools. Public school districts have until July 1 to adopt new policies specifying how the district intends to involve parents in their children's education.
The policy should also include how the district will grant access to certain tests or curriculum information, or request that a child be exempted from certain instruction or activities. School districts must post the policy prominently online by August 1st.
In a conversation with the Nebraska Examiner, Sanders said lawmakers will likely have to delay implementation of some of the bill's provisions until 2025, such as creating new parental involvement policies. Ta. and post it onlineto give school time to prepare.
Lawmakers gave first phase approval to LB 71 43-0 on Thursday. If passed, this bill would not take effect until three months after the Legislature adjourns, or around mid-July.
“It all started with my parents.”
Sanders said LB 71's focus is on parents' rights, but it doesn't dictate what schools should teach or how, and schools should be transparent and ensure parents have appropriate access to materials. He said it was just necessary.
“It all started with my parents wanting to know,” she said Thursday.
Sanders said LB 71 is a “reasonable, common sense update” that would address what former Education Secretary Matthew Blomstedt described as a “crisis of trust” in the system's leadership. Stated.
“I hope LB 71 can play a role in restoring trust,” Sanders said.
In addition to textbooks and tests, LB 71 expands the materials parents can access to include:
- Activity information.
- Digital material.
- Websites and applications used for learning.
- Training materials for teachers, administrators, and staff.
- Procedures for reviewing and approving training materials, learning materials, and activities.
School districts would need to specify how they would “respond,” not just “accommodate,” parents' requests to attend or monitor classes, meetings, activities, and counseling sessions.
repeat a school year
MPs voted 40-0 Tasu LB1193 From state Sen. Daniel Conrad of Lincoln, it would allow parents to demand that their children: Repeat a grade for a reason of your choice.
In K-4, possible reasons include academic necessity, illness, and excessive absence (missing more than 50% of school days). Students in grades 5 through 12 are limited to excessive absences.
“While it is rare that we have disagreements with our parents, let me be clear, in most cases we do not,” Conrad said during the Feb. 6 bill debate, adding, “…parental decisions That should really make or break the day.”
Conrad called Sanders' bill a way to “heed the call” from parents and other stakeholders who are facing obstacles to getting more information from K-12 schools. I admired it.
Library book amendment proposal withdrawn
State Sen. Dave Murman, D-Grenville, sought to make an amendment based on the following: some regulations in him LB1399 In that case, the school district would be required to publicize library books available for loan and notify parents via email when a student borrows them.
It would also have allowed students and parents to give presentations on textbooks and other materials at school board meetings. The board will then decide whether the materials are still available.
Mirman said his amendments aim to improve, not undermine, Sanders' bill, while also addressing concerns he heard this week from both supporters and opponents of LB441. .supporter The debate could not be concluded, 30-17. Wednesday about that bill. Discussions focused on obscenity, but often extended more broadly to what senators generally find offensive in schools.
“All we can do is improve the communication process between parents, schools and educators,” Murman said.
Murman withdrew the amendment shortly after Sanders branded it “unfriendly.” She said she respects and appreciates Murman's work on the amendment, but that LB 71 needs to be a “bipartisan deal” for all involved.
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