Brian Maher, Nebraska education commissioner, testifies before the Legislature’s Education Committee. July 31, 2023. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
LINCOLN — Nebraska’s commissioner of education has promised state legislators he would be a commissioner for all students as the state tackles key goals to improve literacy, halve chronic absenteeism and halve school staff shortages.
Commissioner Brian Maher, testifying Friday before the Legislature’s Education Committee, said the Nebraska Department of Education serves about 360,000 students in public, nonpublic and home school settings. The department, which Maher leads, also supports vocational rehabilitation and disability determination services for Nebraskans of all ages.
“I’m happy to report that the state of education in Nebraska is strong,” Maher testified. “I’m proud of the accomplishments of our schools, and there are few places, as good or better, to raise a kid than to raise that kid in Nebraska.”