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LEGISLATURE OF NEBRASKA
ONE HUNDRED NINTH LEGISLATURE
SECOND SESSION
LEGISLATIVE BILL 1112
Introduced by McKinney, 11.
Read first time January 16, 2026
Committee: Education
A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to schools; to adopt the Statewide1
Standardized Grading System Act; to provide an operative date; and2
to declare an emergency. 3
Be it enacted by the people of the State of Nebraska,4
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Section 1. Sections 1 to 7 of this act shall be known and may be1
cited as the Statewide Standardized Grading System Act.2
Sec. 2. (1) The Legislature finds that: 3
(a) Nebraska's school districts use varying grading scales and4
definitions of academic proficiency, resulting in inconsistent measures5
of student performance; 6
(b) Such inconsistency in measures of student performance creates7
inequities for students transferring between school districts, enrolling8
in option school districts, applying for scholarships, and meeting9
graduation requirements; and 10
(c) A uniform statewide grading system promotes fairness,11
transparency, and comparability of academic outcomes across the state.12
(2) It is the intent of the Legislature to establish a statewide13
grading system and for such statewide grading system to be applied14
uniformly in all public, private, parochial, and denominational schools.15
Sec. 3. (1) On or before December 31, 2026, the State Department of16
Education shall establish a statewide grading system. The statewide17
grading system shall: 18
(a) Apply to all credit-bearing coursework in grades three through19
twelve; 20
(b) Apply the same grading standards to resident students and21
enrollment option students; 22
(c) Use a standard statewide grading scale; 23
(d) Align state academic content standards proficiency levels with24
the standard statewide grading scale; 25
(e) Use consistent rules for the calculation of grades, numerical26
rounding in the calculation of grades, treatment of late assignments, and27
treatment of assessment results; 28
(f) Establish uniform weighting for courses designed for29
exceptionally motivated and high-achieving students to provide more30
academically or technically advanced learning than regular courses in the31
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same subject area and for courses designed to provide students with an1
opportunity to earn postsecondary education credit or technical skill2
credentials upon successful completion of such course; and3
(g) Clear guidance for reporting grades on transcripts.4
(2) Beginning with the 2027–2028 school year, each public, private,5
parochial, and denominational school shall implement the statewide6
grading system. 7
Sec. 4. Each school district shall measure the academic performance8
of each student in the same manner whether the student is enrolled as a9
resident student or as an enrollment option student.10
Sec. 5. (1) Each school district shall publish the statewide11
grading scale in all student handbooks, course catalogs, and on the12
school district website. 13
(2) Each school district shall report student grades to the State14
Department of Education in a standardized format to support statewide15
comparability and public reporting. 16
(3) The department shall annually report to the Education Committee17
of the Legislature on the implementation of and compliance with the18
Statewide Standardized Grading System Act and on any recommended19
adjustments. The report shall be submitted electronically.20
Sec. 6. The State Department of Education shall provide training21
and technical assistance to school districts, teachers, and22
administrators for implementation of the statewide grading system,23
including evidence-based grading practices and equity-focused assessment24
strategies. 25
Sec. 7. The State Board of Education may adopt and promulgate rules26
and regulations to carry out the Statewide Standardized Grading System27
Act. 28
Sec. 8. This act becomes operative on July 1, 2026.29
Sec. 9. Since an emergency exists, this act takes effect when30
passed and approved according to law. 31
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