LINCOLN- On Tuesday, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen announced the revocation of Rule 23, an education requirement for teachers that he believed was a costly and unnecessary obstacle to getting new teachers into classrooms as the state suffers from a substantial workforce shortage. Rule 23 requires that each educator in the state have basic math, reading, and writing skills, and must take a test in these three areas to earn their teaching licenses.

"It's proven that the test isn't having an impact on the quality of teachers," said Pillen during an endorsement event for the repeal, "Teaching skills are assessed in so many ways with hands-on applications." The change was met with joy from the Nebraska Department of Education and State Board of Education, as well as a handful of state senators. According to Deputy Education Commissioner Deborah Frison, Nebraska is now one of thirty-three states that don't require the tests.

However, according to Patti Gubbels, president of the State Board of Education, there's still a lot of work to be done to retain teachers. "Are there requirements that could be modified?" asked Gubbels, "We just really are taking a thorough look." Gubbels stated at the event that the state is still looking for ways to ease access for teachers from other states and reviewing rules that may make it easier for Nebraskans to attain teaching certification.

For the full article click HERE