Nebraska Schools Earn “F” Grade for School Choice, Much to Governor’s Chagrin

By Gordon Hopkins The Nebraska school system was graded “F” by an organization that promotes school choice.The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) recently released its 2026 edition of the “Index of State Education Freedom: a 50-State Guide to Parental Empowerment.” The rankings are intended a detailed evaluation of how states are expanding school choice legislation.ALEC is a nonprofit organization of conservative state legislators and private sector representatives who draft and recommend model legislation for state governments. Among the organization’s priorities is school choice legislation. School choice refers to government policies that allow public education funds to provide education to students outside public school environments, including public, private, charter, religious and home schooling. Supporters state school choice initiatives allow families to select the best fit for students. However, opponents decry school choice as taking funds intended to public schooling and giving it to private institutions. Governor Jim Pillen, long a champion of school choice initiatives, made clear his displeasure with this blemish on Nebraska’s report card. “It is shameful that Nebraska received an F in these rankings. For years, school choice advocates have battled for kids and parents to escape failing schools. In 2024 we finally got Opportunity Scholarships passed, only to have them ripped away from needy kids in a referendum campaign funded by union bosses and fueled by misinformation,” the governor responded. “I’m proud of our leadership in the Governor’s office on this issue, which has included being the first state in America to opt into President Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill school choice scholarship program and, more recently, to include a similar state program in my executive budget. But I need the Legislature to join me in fighting for students, not systems.” School choice initiatives are controversial in Nebraska. Nebraska is one of 24 states that allow citizens to initiate legislation through the petition process. It can be a powerful tool for voters to bypass the legislative process and take issues directly to voters. In November 2024, Nebraska voters recalled school vouchers by 57 percent via a petition initiative. Despite the rejection by voters, the governor signed an executive order in September of 2025 making Nebraska the first state in the country to opt in to the federal tax credit for school choice scholarships.Two local educators responded to the index and the governor’s response. Fairbury Public Schools Superintendent David Embray told FJN, “As we talk about expanding educational options, we also have to talk about accountability. Public schools are required to serve every student and operate under significant oversight. If public dollars are used outside the public system, it makes sense that the same expectations apply so students are treated fairly.” Diller-Odell Superintendent Mike Meyerle was dismissive of the report, “I don't think the public education systems in the states at the top of the list are as strong as Public Schools in Nebraska. Looks like propaganda for people wanting to get their way. People can send their kids to private school in Nebraska should they want to. No one is stopping them. Private schools should be privately funded.” The top five schools in the ALEC list are: Florida, Arizona, Arkansas, Iowa and West Virginia. It is important to keep in mind that this ranking refers only to school choice options and not to academic achievement.

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