LINCOLN — Nebraska is looking to require students to retake third grade if they fail a state-mandated reading test — with some exceptions.

The proposal is from the Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, carried by State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, chair of the Legislature’s Education Committee. Legislative Bill 1050 would require schools to help students who fail to meet the new benchmarks with an “intensive acceleration class” featuring a smaller student-teacher ratio to focus on improving students’ reading level.

Students could be held back once between third and fourth grade, determined by three reading assessments during the school year. The new requirements would begin fall of 2027.

Nebraska students in kindergarten through second grade would also take three reading assessments three times during the school year to determine whether they were at the correct reading level. Students receiving special education services or accommodations would be exempt under the proposal. The proposal is a part of the governor’s focus on education for this session.

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