Mandate: 92 NAC 10-004.02A5 (no date available) for elementary school and 92 NAC 10-004.03A6 (no date available) for middle school requires instruction in health education. 92 NAC 10-004.04B7 (no date available) requires that the high school program include 20 instructional units" (out of a total of 400) or two years of daily classes or the equivalent in personal health and physical fitness. 92 NAC 10-004.04B6 (no date available) requires that the high school program include 80 instructional units" of Career and Technical Education that includes Health Occupations.

Curriculum Content: 92 NAC 10-004.02A5, 92 NAC 10-004.03A6, and 92 NAC 10-004.04B6 outline the required K-12 curriculum for Nebraska schools. While the state has not formally adopted standards for health education, Nebraska Health Education Frameworks (1998) is the recommended curriculum framework.

State Assessment Requirement: None.

Mandate: 92 NAC 10-004.04B7 (no date available) requires that the high school program include 20 instructional units" (out of a total of 400) or two years of daily classes or the equivalent in personal health and physical fitness. 92 NAC 10-004.03A9 (no date available) and 92 NAC 10-004.03A9 (no date available) mandate physical education for elementary and middle school.

Exemptions: None specified.

Curriculum Content: 92 NAC 10-004.02A6, 92 NAC 10-004.03A9, and 92 NAC 10-004.04B7 outline the required K-12 curriculum for Nebraska schools.  The Nebraska Physical Education Essential Learnings (2006) outlines what students are expected to know and be able to do by the end of grades 2, 5, 8 and 12.

Physical Fitness Assessment: None.

The Nebraska Health Education Frameworks (1998) recommends targets and activities for health education curricula. Principle 1 recommends students in grades K-12 be taught indicators, the interrelationships, and positive factors of emotional, social, and mental health and how emotional and social environments influence personal health. Principle 3 recommends students in grades 3-12 be taught stress management skills. Principle 5 recommends students in grades K-12 be taught healthy expression and handling of feelings. Principle 7 recommends students in grades 6-12 be taught how to identify and strategies to overcome barriers to the communication of feelings. The Nebraska Comprehensive School Counseling Model (2003) also suggests minimum standards for personal and social development for grades K-12.

Character Education: Statute 79-725 (no date available) requires all teachers to give special emphasis in their instruction to positive character traits of citizenship such as common honesty, morality, courtesy, and obedience to the law, among other items. Statute 79-726 (no date available) requires the Commissioner of Education to prepare an outline with suggestions to accomplish the purpose set forth in Statute 79-725 and to incorporate the same in the regular course of study for grades K-12 in all schools. Statute 79-727 (no date available) makes any violation of the previous two statutes a class III misdemeanor offense. The Nebraska Character Education Guidelines (2002) provide direction for administrator and educators when developing their character education programs.

Mandate: The Nebraska State Board of Education does not require HIV, STD, or pregnancy prevention education to be taught in schools, explicitly stating that this is a matter of local control.

Curriculum Content: Schools are not required to follow a specific curriculum if they choose to offer such instruction, nor are any limitations on what can be taught. However, officials do recommend that schools follow the standards outlined in the Nebraska Health Education Frameworks (1998), the introduction to which emphasizes that the State Board of Education favors an abstinence approach.

Parental Approval: No state policy.

92 NAC 10-004.02A5 (no date available) mandates children in elementary school receive nutrition education as part of the overall health education curriculum.

The State Board of Education has issued a Resolution on Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs - Prevention and Intervention (2006) that encourages school districts to review, update and/or create comprehensive policies that address critical areas of ensuring a safe and drug-free learning environment, skill-based drug and alcohol education, a system of early identification and referral for students in need, and transition support from elementary to middle and high school.

Alcohol: Statute 79-712 (no date available) requires local schools to place emphasis on the effects of alcohol use as part of its comprehensive health education program. 

Tobacco: Statute 79-712 requires local schools to place emphasis on the effects of tobacco use as part of its comprehensive health education program.

Drugs: Statute 79-712 requires local schools to place emphasis on the effects of marijuana, hallucinogenics, amphetamines, barbiturates, and narcotics use as part of its comprehensive health education program.

Bullying/Harassment: Not specifically required.

Fighting/ Gangs: Principle 5 of the Nebraska Health Education Frameworks (1998) recommends students be taught conflict resolution skills in grades K-12. Principle 3 recommends students be taught how to avoid fighting and violence in grades 3-12. Principle 1 recommends students in grades 6-8 be taught conflict management.

Suicide and Other Self-Abuse Prevention: Not specifically required.

Professional Development: No state policy. However, the Attack on Asthma Nebraska has partnered with the Department of Education to assist in implementing the Emergency Response to Life-Threatening Asthma protocol mandated by the department in Rule 92 NAC 59, Appendix A (no date available). Attack on Asthma also provides in-service education and trainings to school personnel on the recognition and treatment of severe asthma attacks and allergic reactions.

The State Board of Education's Anti-Bullying Policy (2003) further states that the Department of Education will disseminate programs that may include state level efforts to help with teacher and administrator in-service and pre-service courses in achieving positive behavior environments, including anti-bullying training.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirements for a health education endorsement are a minimum of 27 semester hours in health courses for an endorsement for grade leve 7-12.  Details are found in 92 NAC 24-006.26 (no date available). For certification in health and physical education for grades K-12, the candidate must complete 48 semester hours of preparation in health and physical education courses, including 24 semester hours in scientific foundations and 24 semester hours in health education according to 92 NAC 24-006.27 (no date available).

Professional Development: Statute 79-830 (no date available), the Professional Growth Requirement, requires all certificated employees to provide evidence of 6 semester hours of professional growth or an alternative activity approved by the school board every 6 years.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirements for a physical education endorsement are a minimum of 27 semester hours in physical education courses for K-6 or 7-12 endorsements. Both endorsements require a minimum of 15 semester hours in scientific foundations and a minimum of 12 semester hours in techniques. Details are found in Rule 92 NAC 24-006.43 (no date available). For certification in health and physical education for grades K-12, the candidate must complete 48 semester hours of preparation in health and physical education courses, including 24 semester hours in scientific foundations and 24 semester hours in health education according to Rule 92 NAC 24-006.27 (no date available).

Professional Development: Statute 79-830 (no date available), the Professional Growth Requirement, requires all certificated employees to provide evidence of 6 semester hours of professional growth or an alternative activity approved by the school board every 6 years.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for a school nurse endorsement is a current Nebraska license as a registered professional nurse according to 92 NAC 24-007.02 (no date available). 

Professional Development: Statute 79-830, the Professional Growth Requirement, requires all certificated employees to provide evidence of 6 semester hours of professional growth or an alternative activity approved by the school board every 6 years.

Student-to-Nurse Ratio: The HHS School & Child Health Nursing Coordinator promotes the ratio of 750:1 based on the National Association of School Nurses.

Pre-service Requirement: Statute 71-6725 (no date available) and 92 NAC 59-004 (no date available) require medication aides to meet minimum competencies for properly and safely administering medication and successfully pass a competency assessment, detailed in-depth in both laws. School staff members are not required to take a course.
 

Professional Development: Rule 92 NAC 59-004 requires medication aides to be assessed no less than every three years in the required competencies.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirements for a school counselor endorsement are two years of teaching experience, 36 graduate semester hours and a master's degree in school counseling according to 92 NAC 24-006.52 (no date available).

Professional Development: Statute 79-830, the Professional Growth Requirement, requires all certificated employees to provide evidence of 6 semester hours of professional growth or an alternative activity approved by the school board every 6 years. The Department of Education recommends programs and courses for school counseling professional development in its Nebraska School Counseling Career Development Guide. 

Student-to-Counselor Ratio: 92 NAC 10-007.05A (no date available) states that each K-12 and secondary school system shall assign at least one time person to conduct a guidance and counseling program. When enrollment exceeds 400, a full-time endorsed person shall be assigned.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirements for a school psychologist endorsement are 60 graduate semester hours beyond the baccalaureate degree, at least 54 of which are exclusive of credit for a supervised internship according to 92 NAC 24-007.03 (no date available).

Professional Development: Statute 79-830, the Professional Growth Requirement, requires all certificated employees to provide evidence of 6 semester hours of professional growth or an alternative activity approved by the school board every 6 years.

Student-to-Psychologist Ratio: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: None specified.

Professional Development: None specified.

Student-to-Social Worker Ratio: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: None specified.

Professional Development: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for a coaching endorsement is the successful completion of content listed in 92 NAC 24-007.06 (no date available) from an approved teacher education program or from other organizations that provide such instruction. 92 NAC 24-006.10 (no date available) further specifies that a coaching endorsement for teachers coaching interscholastic athletics for grades 7-12 may be obtained with 12 semester hours of specified coursework in coaching athletics.

Professional Development: Statute 79-830, the Professional Growth Requirement, requires all certificated employees to provide evidence of 6 semester hours of professional growth or an alternative activity approved by the school board every 6 years.

Additional Accountability Requirements: None

Additional Content Requirements: None

Guidance Materials: None

Other: None

Food Services: In accordance with CFR 210.11, the Competitive Foods Policy (2006) prohibits the sale of any food or beverages anywhere on school premises beginning one half hour before breakfast and or lunch service until one half hour after meal service unless all proceeds earned during these time periods go to the school nutrition program.  In addition, no foods of Minimal Nutritional Value, as defined by the USDA, can be sold in the Food Service areas beginning one half hour before breakfast and/or lunch service until one half hour after meal service under any circumstances.

Adequate Time to Eat: No state policy.

School Breakfast: No state policy.

Food Allergies: No state policy.

Farm-to-School: No state policy.

Vending Machines/School Stores: Statute 79-2,132 (no date available) allows a school store in which students may purchase food, beverages, and personal or consumable items.

The Competitive Foods Policy (2007) restricts the profits from vending machines.  If a vending machine, not operated by a school nutrition program, is open during the meal service period, the profits from that period must go to the school nutrition program.

Other Food Sales: No state policy. 

School Gardening: No state policy.

General Physical Activity Requirement: No state policy.

Recess or Physical Activity Breaks: No state policy recommending or requiring recess.

Recess Before Lunch:  No state policy.

Walking/Biking to School: No state policy.

Interscholastic Athletics: Statute 79-2,116 (no date available) declares it unfair and discriminatory to deny comparable opportunity for interscholastic and intramural athletic programs for both genders.

Concussion and Sports-Related Head Injury: Automated External Defibrillator (AED): Statute 71-9104 (2012) requires each approved or accredited public, private, denominational or parochial school to do the following:

92 NAC 10-011.01 (no date available) requires school facilities to be safe, healthful, and sanitary. The State Board's Anti-Bullying Policy (2003) states Nebraska schools should provide a physically safe and emotionally secure environment for their students and staff.

The Nebraska Student Discipline Act (no date available) assures the protection of all elementary and secondary students' constitutional right to due process and fundamental fairness within the context of an orderly and effective educational process. The Act requires the school board to establish and promulgate rules of student conduct which shall be distributed to all student and parents/guardians at the beginning of each school year.

Fighting/Gangs: Statute 79-267 states that causing or attempting to cause personal injury to a school employee, volunteer, or student is grounds for long-term suspension, expulsion, or mandatory reassignment when committed on school grounds, in a vehicle owned, leased, contracted, or being used by the school, or at a school-sponsored activity.

Weapons: Statute 79-267 states that knowingly possessing, handling, or transmitting any material or object that is generally or ordinarily considered a weapon is grounds for long-term suspension, expulsion, or mandatory reassignment when committed on school grounds, in a vehicle owned, leased, or contracted by the school, or at a school-sponsored activity.

Statute 79-263 (1996) requires school districts to adopt a policy requiring at least a one year expulsion for students who possess, use, or transmit firearms on school grounds, at a school-sponsored activity or athletic event, or in a vehicle owned, leased, contracted, or being used by a school for school purposes. Statute 28-1204.04 (no date available) declares that any person who possesses a firearm in a school, on school grounds, at a school-sponsored activity or athletic event, or in a vehicle owned by a school is guilty of a Class II misdemeanor and shall have said firearm confiscated without a warrant by a peace officer or school administrative or teaching personnel.

Drugs and Alcohol: Statute 79-267 states that unlawfully possessing, selling, dispensing, using, or being under the influence of a controlled substance, an imitation, a substance represented to be a controlled substance is grounds for long-term suspension, expulsion, or mandatory reassignment when committed on school grounds, in a vehicle owned, leased, or contracted by the school, or at a school-sponsored activity.

Statute 79-296 (1996) states any person under nineteen years of age who is a student at any public elementary [or] secondary educational institution in this state who possesses, dispenses, delivers, or administers anabolic steroids may be prohibited  from participating in any extracurricular activities for not more than thirty consecutive days for the first offense. For the second or any subsequent offense, the student may be barred from participation in such activities for any period of time the institution deems appropriate pursuant to the written policy of the institution."

Collaboration with Law Enforcement: No state policy.

Bullying/Harassment: Statute 79-267 (2008) requires schools to adopt a bullying policy by July 1, 2009. It defines bullying as any ongoing pattern of physical, verbal, or electronic abuse on school grounds, in a vehicle owned, leased, or contracted by a school being used for a school purpose by a school employee or his or her designee, or at school-sponsored activities or school-sponsored athletic events. It states that engaging in bullying and threatening or intimidating any other student for the purpose or intent of obtaining money or anything of value from that student is grounds for long-term suspension, expulsion, or mandatory reassignment. The use of violence, force, coercion, threat, or intimidation, or other such conduct that substantially interferes with school purposes is also forbidden under this statute.

The Anti-Bullying Policy recommends local school policies aid school personnel in the identification of bullying and harassment and provide a framework for an appropriate response to bullying and harassment.

Cyberbullying: The definition of bullying in Statute 79-267 (2008) includes any pattern of electronic abuse on school grounds, in a vehicle owned, leased, or contracted by a school being used for a school purpose by a school employee or his or her desginee, or at school-sponsored activities or school sponsored events. LB 205 (2008) requires schools to adopt a policy concerning bullying prevention and education.

Hazing: No state policy addressing elementary or secondary schools.

Response and Management Plans: 92 NAC 10-011.01C (no date available) requires school systems to have a school safety and security committee which meets annually to prepare and/or review safety and security plans and procedures, including emergency plans and procedures.

Reporting Incidents of Violence: Statute 28-711 (2005) requires a nurse, school employee, social worker, or other person [who] has reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect or observes such child being subjected to conditions or circumstances which reasonably would result in abuse or neglect, [to] report such incident or cause a report to be made to the proper law enforcement agency or to the department".

Rule 92 NAC 91-005.06C (no date available) prohibits the use of tobacco products in a student transportation vehicle.

No state policy.

Rule 92 NAC 10-011.01A (no date available) requires, Each school system [to] maintain safe, healthful, and sanitary conditions on the school grounds".

LB 114 (2005) requires a student to receive a physical examination by a physician, physician assistant, or an advanced practice nurse six months prior to school entry into the beginning grades and the seventh grade.

Vision and Hearing: Statute 79-248 (1996) requires each student to be carefully inspected" to identify whether the child suffers from defective sight or hearing. LB 114 more specifically requires a student to have received a visual evaluation by a physician, physician assistant, an advanced practice nurse, or an optometrist six months prior to school entry beginning with the 2006-07 school year and every year thereafter.

Dental: Statute 79-248 requires each student to be carefully inspected" to identify whether the child suffers from dental defects.

Chronic Health Conditions: No state policy.

Body Mass Index (BMI) Screening: No state policy.

Staff Administration: Statutes 71-6722 (no date available) and 71-6723 (no date available) and 92 NAC 59.003 (no date available) allows a medication aide to provide oral, inhalation, topical, and instillation into the eyes, ears, and nose medication under the supervision of a health care professional.

Self-Administration of Asthma Medication: Statute 79-224 (2006) requires public and private schools to allow a student with asthma to self-manage his or her asthma. A parent or guardian must provide a written request and authorization from a physician. In addition, the school, parent or guardian and student's physician must develop an asthma medical management plan. The requirements of the plan are outlined in the statute. The statute also states that if a student for whom an asthma medical management plan has been developed injures school personnel or another student as the result of the misuse of prescription asthma medication or related medical supplies, the parent or guardian of the student shall be responsible for any and all costs associated with such an injury. The parent or guardian of the student must also sign a statement that the school and its agents are not liable for any injury or death arising from the student's self-management of asthma, and that they will indemnify and hold harmless the school and its employees and agents against any claim from a student's self-management of his or her asthma condition.

Self-Administration of Anaphylaxis Medication: Statute 79-224 (2006) requires public and private schools to allow a student with anaphylaxis to self-manage his or her anaphylaxis. A parent or guardian must provide a written request and authorization from a physician. In addition, the school, parent or guardian and student's physician must develop an anaphylaxis medical management plan. The requirements of the plan are outlined in the statute. The statute also states that if a student for whom an anaphylaxis medical management plan has been developed injures school personnel or another student as the result of the misuse of prescription anaphylaxis medication or related medical supplies, the parent or guardian of the student shall be responsible for any and all costs associated with such an injury. The parent or guardian of the student must also sign a statement that the school and its agents are not liable for any injury or death arising from the student's self-management of anaphylaxis, and that they will indemnify and hold harmless the school and its employees and agents against any claim from a student's self-management of his or her anaphylaxis condition.

Self-Administration of Diabetes Medication: Statute 79-225 (2006) allows a student to self-administer diabetes medication with the written request of the parent or guardian, authorization of the student's physician, and completion of a diabetes management plan as outlined in the statute.

Psychotropic Medications: No state policy.

Storage and Record-keeping: Statute 71-6724 (no date available) requires a school using the services of a staff member for medication administration to keep and maintain accurate medication administration records. 172 NAC 95.013 (no date available) requires all medications to be stored in secured areas and stored according to the pharmacist's instructions and accessed only by authorized personnel.

Medical Emergencies: 92 NAC 59.006 (no date available) requires all schools to adopt and implement the Emergency Response to Life Threatening Asthma or Systemic Allergic Reactions Protocol. This protocol consists of calling for the designated staff to implement the protocol, respiratory evaluation, administration of medications (Epi-Pen), assess the cause and vital signs, contact the parents and physician, and possibly transfer to a medical facility.

Requirement to Provide Services: Rule 92 NAC 10-007.05 (no date available) requires schools to provide K-12 guidance and counseling program.

Identification of with Mental or Emotional Disorders: No state policy.

Substance Abuse: No state policy.

Suicide Prevention: No state policy.

HIV, STD, and Pregnancy Testing and Counseling: No state policy.

Immunity of Liability: No state policy.

Detailed, current information about immunization requirements by state is maintained by the National Network for Immunization Information.  Select your state from the drop down box under Search for State Vaccine Requirements for School Entry."

Exemptions: Statute 79-221 (2005) allows for exemption from immunization requirements under the following circumstances: (1) Submission of a signed statement from a physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse stat that, in the health care provider's opinion, the immunizations required would be injurious to the health and well-being of the student or any member of the student's family or household, or (2) Submission of a signed affidavit by the student, or if he is a minor, by a legally authorized representative of the student, stating that the immunization conflicts with the tenets and practice of a recognized religious denomination of which the student is an adherent or member or that the immunization conflicts with the personal and sincere beliefs of the student.

No state policy.

No state policy.

Statute 79-2,116 (no date available) forbids educational institutions from applying any rule which discriminates on the basis of the pregnancy of a person or the condition of being a parent.

92 NAC 51-003.07 (no date available) addresses asthma, among many other conditions, as an, "other health impairment" that may be considered a disability when verified by a multidisciplinary team under 92 NAC 51-006 (no date available). Statute 79-225 (2006) requires the development of an individual medical management plan for self-administration of diabetes medications while at school. 

Special Education and related services would be specified in an individual education plan according to 92 NAC 51-007.05 (no date available).

State-level: No state policy.

Local-level: The State Board of Education's Policy for Coordinated School Health (2010) encourages each school district to establish a School Health Council and each school to establish a School Health Team that meets four times a year.

State-level: No state policy.

Local-level: The State Board of Education's Policy for Coordinated School Health (2010) encourages each school or district to designate a school health coordinator to assist with implementing and evaluating coordinated school health.

Student Health-Related Records: No state policy.

Student Health-Related Services: Nebraska has no specific state policy on the confidentiality of school health services. However, Statute 71-6725 (no date available) does require medication aides to have the ability to maintain confidentiality.

Statute 79-532 (no date available) requires the school parental involvement policy to address, How the school district participates in surveys of students and the right of parents to remove their children from such surveys".