Education Committee Priority Bill Gains First Round Approval at Unicameral

LB 1050 seeks to improve early literacy in Nebraska by: 
• Identifying third-grade students who are and are not able to read at or above grade level, as determined by the established threshold set by the Department of Education; and
• Retaining certain third-grade students who can not read at or above grade level; and
• Ensuring retained third-grade students with persistent reading deficiencies receive intensive intervention courses.

District 38 Senator Dave Murman, the Committee Chair introduced the bill and spoke several times in support of the bill and committee amendment.

District 35 Senator Dan Quick opposed the measure.

District 41 Senator Fred Meyer voted to advance the bill.

District 42 Senator Mike Jacobson saw it as an unfunded mandate.

LB1050 advanced 26-10 with 11 present, but not voting.