Nebraska schools see worsening teacher shortage in most recent NDE survey results

Dec 30, 2023 | Business

WEBWIRE –

Over 900 positions went vacant or unfilled with a qualified person in Nebraska schools for the 2023-24 school year, according to Nebraska Department of Education survey results.

Last school year, there were over 760 positions vacant or unfilled with someone qualified for the position. Districts reported 140 more open positions this school year. Only 310 districts completed the survey this year, while last year there were 402 districts that filled out the questionnaire.

NDE Commissioner Brian Maher said at a press conference last month that the teacher shortage is an ongoing conversation with schools across the state.

Theres a coordinated effort going on between school districts, the Department of Education, higher education, even others in the workforce development area like our state chamber, who are certainly concerned about this particular topic, Maher said.

Special education is facing the biggest brunt of the shortage with over 200 unfilled positions. Elementary education followed, with about 109 positions. These two areas saw the brunt of the shortage last school year as well, with 143 positions unfilled in special education and 104 in elementary education.

According to the survey, special education has been a shortage area for the past 15 years.

Schools said the main reasons positions went unfilled were due to no applicants and no qualified applicants for that endorsement area.

Nebraska Public Media Earns Four Emmy Awards

Jul 21, 2023 | Business

LINCOLN, Neb. – WEBWIRE –

Nebraska Public Media received four Emmy awards from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Heartland Chapter.

Connects: Parkinsons Nebraska was recognized in the health/medical long form content category. Its estimated that there are 1 million people in the United States with Parkinsons disease, and that number is expected to rise to 1.2 million by the year 2030. This program connects Nebraskans with therapists, support groups and innovative treatments.

The Nebraska Public Media documentary Title IX: 50 Years in the Making was recognized in the interview/discussion program category and its accompanying interstitials were recognized in the diversity/equity/inclusion short form content category. The yearlong multimedia project about the 50th anniversary of Title IX told stories about the landmark federal legislation and its revolutionary impact on womens athletics in Nebraska.

Grain Weevil, a story from the Nebraska Public Media series What If was recognized in the technology short form category. This story about innovation and creativity highlighted a remote-controlled device that could keep farmers safe from grain bin dangers.

The 37th Annual National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Heartland Chapter Awards presentation was on July 15.

About Nebraska Public Media

Nebraska Public Media has connected citizens with news, sports, education and entertainment since 1954. Providing global and compelling stories from PBS and NPR, the statewide public media network also produces award-winning local content. Its programs and services reach Nebraskans on television, radio, online, social media and mobile apps. Visit NebraskaPublicMedia.org for more information.