Most public schools doing job well

Dear Editor,

The report cards are in and the grades are good! Nebraska's public schools are doing their jobs-and in most cases doing those jobs very well. At a Friday, Nov. 9, news conference the Governor, the Commissioner of Education, the Chair of the Legislature's Education Committee and others sang the praises of new state Report Card, of teachers for their work in making this report possible and the job Nebraska's public schools are doing.

Unfortunately, thousands of people who are pivotal in that success-classroom teachers-were not there to enjoy the compliments. They were in their classrooms working. Two teachers from Bayard were at the press conference to talk about their role in setting the standard and assessment process for their district.

Nearly all classroom teachers across the state have put in many, many hours beyond their regular workday to establish the standards and shape the assessments for their districts. Thank you, teachers, for your consistently excellent work, and for all that extra-sometimes unpaid-time.

Do teachers deserve all the credit? Certainly not. The Commissioner of Education, school administrators, parents, students and local communities share in the success of Nebraska's schools.

The Report Card tells us that Nebraska's public schools are doing well. Let's celebrate our successes; let's make progress where the Report Card indicates improvement is necessary; and let's resolve to continue our legacy of fine public education in Nebraska.

Duane Obermier,

president,

Nebraska State Education Association