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LEGISLATURE OF NEBRASKA
ONE HUNDRED NINTH LEGISLATURE
SECOND SESSION
LEGISLATIVE BILL 862
Introduced by Prokop, 27.
Read first time January 08, 2026
Committee: Appropriations
A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to the Nebraska Reading Improvement Act; to1
amend section 79-2607, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska; to2
change provisions relating to intent regarding appropriations; and3
to repeal the original section. 4
Be it enacted by the people of the State of Nebraska,5
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Section 1. Section 79-2607, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, is1
amended to read: 2
79-2607 (1) For purposes of this section: 3
(a) Evidence-based reading instruction means instruction in reading4
that is in alignment with scientifically based reading research and does5
not include the three-cueing system model of reading instruction; and6
(b) Three-cueing system model of reading instruction is an approach7
to foundational skills instruction that involves the use of three8
different types of instructional cues which include semantic, syntactic,9
and graphophonic. 10
(2)(a) The State Department of Education shall develop and implement11
a professional learning system to help provide sustained professional12
learning and training regarding evidence-based reading instruction for13
teachers who teach children from four years of age through third grade at14
an approved or accredited school and teachers employed by an early15
childhood education program approved by the State Board of Education. The16
professional learning system shall include information and tips for17
teachers related to helping children and families work with local family18
literacy centers to strengthen home and family literacy programs and19
better instruct children in reading. 20
(b) Approved or accredited elementary schools and early childhood21
education programs approved by the State Board of Education shall ensure22
that teachers who teach children from four years of age through third23
grade are aware of the professional learning system and are adequately24
trained regarding evidence-based reading instruction to effectively25
instruct students in reading. 26
(3) The State Department of Education shall work with educational27
service units to provide regional coaches to approved or accredited28
elementary schools to provide assistance and job-embedded training29
relating to evidence-based reading instruction to teachers who teach30
students in kindergarten through third grade. 31
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(4) On or before September 30 of each year, the Commissioner of1
Education shall file a report electronically with the Clerk of the2
Legislature relating to the status and use of the professional learning3
system implemented pursuant to this section. 4
(5) It is the intent of the Legislature to appropriate two million5
dollars from the Education Future Fund for each fiscal year beginning6
with fiscal year 2024-25 through fiscal year 2029-30 2026-27 to the State7
Department of Education to provide regional coaches and job-embedded8
training relating to evidence-based reading instruction pursuant to9
subsection (2) or (3) of this section. 10
(6) The State Department of Education may provide technical11
assistance as needed to assist school boards in carrying out the Nebraska12
Reading Improvement Act. 13
(7) The department may adopt and promulgate rules and regulations to14
carry out the act. 15
Sec. 2. Original section 79-2607, Reissue Revised Statutes of16
Nebraska, is repealed. 17
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