Issues: Education

“At a time when our state and local governments are under tough budget constraints, I'm working to make sure the federal government keeps their promise to our children.”— Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson

The State of Nebraska has one of the best education systems in the country. That is why Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson works every day for our children to ensure they continue to receive the best educational opportunities possible.

As the former Governor of Nebraska, as well as a parent and grandparent, Ben Nelson has had extensive experience with the Nebraska educational system. It is a system that has been created with the input of Nebraska parents, teachers and legislators and Senator Nelson believes that Nebraskans know best how to educate their children and how to measure success.

As Governor and now as Senator, Ben Nelson has always been a watchdog for unfunded and underfunded federal mandates, especially when it comes to education. He opposes legislation that places an undue burden on the states, without providing the funding that will enable the state to comply. At a time when our state and local governments are under tough budget constraints, Senator Nelson is working to make sure the federal government keeps their promise to our children. A good education is a tool that lasts a lifetime and Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson will continue working toward putting that tool in the hands of every student in Nebraska.

Issue Highlights

Special Education
Senator Nelson has consistently supported all efforts to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) through seeking to require the federal government to fund 40% of IDEA, a promise made by Congress in 1975 when IDEA was first passed, but one that has not been honored.

No Child Left Behind in Nebraska
Senator Nelson has supported numerous bills and amendments to protect Nebraskans from the negative impact of the “No Child Left Behind” (NCLB) legislation passed by Congress in 2001. Senator Nelson voted against NCLB because he was concerned that it would become another underfunded federal mandate with costs passed onto the local communities and forcing increases in local property taxes. Senator Nelson proposed an amendment that would have prohibited the implementation of NCLB without full funding. Without that safeguard in place, he could not support the legislation.

In 2004, Senator Nelson cosponsored S. 1189, the Federal Fair Accountability Includes Resources Act (FedFAIR) which would allow states to opt out of certain requirements of NCLB if the federal government does not fully fund the program. The bill continues the assessments and measurement of adequate yearly progress called for under the law, but it does not punish states when they are not provided the resources needed to fully comply.

Afterschool Programs and Community Schools
As a member of the Senate's Afterschool Caucus, Senator Nelson has consistently supported afterschool learning programs in both urban and rural Nebraska, by funding Omaha afterschool initiatives, helping expand the TeamMates Program in Western Nebraska, and supporting federal dollars for 21st Century Community Learning Centers throughout our state.

In this 110th Congress, Senator Nelson has introduced the Full Service Community Schools Act - S. 1391. This bill would authorize funding for full-service community schools which are school-based community learning centers that address the growing health and social service needs of students. Senator Nelson believes that community learning centers are more than just after-school programs and that their objective is to close the achievement gap between minority and non-minority students and to foster community involvement in school improvement efforts.

2003 Nelson Summit on Higher Education
Senator Nelson hosted a Summit on Nebraska Higher Education in 2003 to address how the Higher Education Act Reauthorization would impact Nebraska institutions and students. Specifically, the group of education leaders from across the state looked at the straight A’s of education - access, affordability, and achievement.

Focusing on access will move students forward; getting students into college, making federal education assistance more accessible, and keeping Nebraska students in Nebraska institutions.

Focusing on affordability will move families forward; removing obstacles to resources for higher education, streamlining the processes, and opening doors to higher education opportunities for minority and low-income families.

Focusing on achievement will move Nebraska forward; using technology as an education tool, focusing on Nebraska’s unique characteristics, and making Nebraska an “Education Destination.”

Updated: 1.29.08