OMAHA- Incumbent Deborah Neary and challenger Marni Hodgen sparred Tuesday over student test scores at a public forum where they were asked about some hot-button education issues.

The two are running for the Omaha-area District 8 seat on the Nebraska State Board of Education.

Hodgen and Neary were asked about transgender issues, social-emotional learning and parent concerns that some school libraries are stocking inappropriate books. Hodgen pointed to Nebraska public school students’ proficiency levels on state tests, saying they are “all below 50%.”

In 2020-21 state testing, 48% of students in grades third through eighth were proficient in English language arts, and 46% in math, according to the Nebraska Department of Education. In 2019-20, testing was canceled because of the pandemic. Scores for tests taken last school year have yet to be made public.

Neary said state proficiency scores are not a good indicator of student achievement.

Asked whether biological male students who identify as female should be allowed to use girls restrooms and participate in girls sports, Hodgen said she’s “adamantly against” it.

Neary said Nebraska schools have been dealing with such issues for many years “because it’s a real biological thing.”

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