Nebraska has adopted a number of policies that can serve as a launching pad for communities seeking to reimagine high school learning for students. State leaders have created flexibility from seat time requirements, empowering local school systems to adopt performance-based curricula and award credit based on demonstrations of learning. The state has also developed a robust college readiness framework aligned to the critical skills and competencies students need to succeed in a changing workforce. State guidance regarding work-based learning provides school systems with information related to the implementation of high-quality programs that prepare students for the workforce while simultaneously allowing them to earn credit towards graduation.

In 2016, the Nebraska Department of Education launched the Competency Based Education Exploratory Project, which invites school districts to participate in activities designed to help build their understanding of competency-based education, mastery learning, and personalized learning systems. To continue this legacy of local innovation, state leaders could explore opportunities for a statewide initiative with dedicated resources to incentivize community-led high school redesign.