Nebraska School Choice
Nebraska school choice includes magnet schools, career and technical education centers, and statewide open enrollment. However, the state does not authorize charter schools or fund private school tuition. There are no voucher programs, Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), or tax-credit scholarships. In 2024, voters repealed a newly passed tax-credit scholarship law, maintaining Nebraska’s policy of keeping public funds within the public education system.
Program Types & Funding Mechanism
- Public School Options
- Magnet Schools: Public schools offering specialized themes—such as STEM or the arts—that draw students from across districts.
- Vocational–Technical Centers (CTE): Regional career-focused high schools funded through public sources and serving students statewide.
- Open Enrollment: Nebraska allows students to attend public schools outside their home district, depending on availability and local policies.
- Private School Funding
Nebraska does not allocate public funds to private school tuition. There are no voucher programs, ESAs, or tax-credit scholarships. A proposed scholarship program was rejected by voters in 2024.
Legislative & Historical Context
Nebraska has never authorized charter schools, making it one of the few states without a charter law. Over the years, lawmakers have introduced proposals to expand school choice, but these efforts have not succeeded. In 2023, the legislature passed a tax-credit scholarship program to support private school tuition through incentivized donations. However, opponents placed the measure on the 2024 ballot, where voters rejected it. As a result, Nebraska remains without publicly funded private school options.