Literacy

trong literacy instruction is foundational to student success. Nebraska’s statewide literacy efforts exist to ensure that all students have access to high-quality instruction grounded in evidence-based practices, supported by systems that help educators implement those practices effectively.

This work recognizes that improving literacy outcomes is not just about selecting the right materials—it requires:

• Thoughtful implementation of high-quality instructional materials (HQIM)
• Ongoing professional learning and coaching
• Systems that support consistency and sustainability across schools

Through a coordinated, statewide approach, ESUs and the ESU Coordinating Council support districts as they strengthen literacy instruction in ways that are intentional, aligned, and responsive to local needs.

Department of Education, ESUs, and the ESU Coordinating Council.

At a high level:

• The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) leads statewide literacy initiatives and provides guidance, training, and funding support
• The ESU Coordinating Council (ESUCC) helps coordinate statewide efforts, align supports, and ensure consistency across ESUs
• Educational Service Units (ESUs) work directly with districts and schools to support implementation, coaching, and professional learning
• Districts and schools engage in the work by implementing instructional materials, participating in professional learning, and building local systems

This coordinated structure ensures that literacy efforts are aligned across the state while remaining grounded in local context and needs.

A central focus of this work is supporting schools in the implementation of high-quality instructional materials.

Support includes:

• Guidance in selecting and using HQIM
• Alignment of instructional practices to materials
• Support for building coherence across grade levels and classrooms

This ensures that materials are not only adopted, but used effectively to support student learning.

Effective literacy instruction is strengthened through ongoing support and reflection. ESUs provide:

• Instructional coaching aligned to literacy practices
• Professional learning opportunities for educators and leaders
• Support for building internal capacity within schools

This work helps educators move from understanding to implementation and refinement of practice over time.

Beyond materials and training, this work supports schools in developing systems that sustain literacy efforts, including:

• Leadership structures that support instructional improvement
• Data-informed decision-making
• Alignment across initiatives and instructional priorities

The goal is to ensure literacy improvements are not temporary, but sustained through strong systems and shared understanding.