PRESS RELEASE: AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 10, 2017                                                             
CONTACT: John Rich, jrich@afphq.org

AFP-NE Reacts To Disappointing NeSA Results, Calls For Reform

Organization Calls Out Commissioner Blomstedt for Friday Afternoon Release

Lincoln, NE – Americans for Prosperity (AFP) - Nebraska has renewed its call for more education opportunities in Nebraska after the Education Commissioner, Dr. Matt Blomstedt, and the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) released shocking data about the state of education in Nebraska.

The 2017 Nebraska State Assessment preliminary results, which were released on a Friday before a holiday weekend in an attempt to bury the disappointing news, indicated barely half of Nebraska's 3rd through 8th grade students are proficient in English Language Arts. It is also not clear where, or if, the NDE has posted the preliminary results since the press conference.

“These disappointing results should serve as a wake-up call to all Nebraskans on the state of our education system," said AFP-Nebraska State Director Matt Litt. "Not even a month ago Commissioner Blomstedt told the media that Nebraska is close to having the greatest education system in the world. By releasing this information on a Friday afternoon before a holiday weekend, it's clear the Commissioner sought to stall that discussion instead of promote an honest dialogue about the quality of education provided in Nebraska." Litt continued, "In light of Friday's data dump, Nebraskans want to know how we ensure our kids improve. Maintaining the status quo and spending more money will not work - other states have tried unsuccessfully. We need to implement reforms and expand education opportunity."

Litt concluded, “AFP will continue calling on the Nebraska Legislature to prioritize the Nebraska Reading Improvement Act and to implement a school grading system so families know if they are at a high-quality school. We’ll also continue our call for expanding education opportunities for all Nebraska students.”

Background:
Last month, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos toured four schools throughout Nebraska on her “Rethink School” tour. In a press conference following the visit, Dr. Bloomstedt remarked Nebraska already had one of the greatest education systems in the world (approximately 9:45 min. mark). 

For further information or an interview, reach Matt Litt at mlitt@afphq.org

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) exists to recruit, educate, and mobilize citizens in support of the policies and goals of a free society at the local, state, and federal level, helping every American live their dream – especially the least fortunate. AFP has more than 3.2 million activists across the nation, a local infrastructure that includes 36 state chapters, and has received financial support from more than 100,000 Americans in all 50 states. For more information, visit www.AmericansForProsperity.org
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