After several months of writing and editing, and currently in the process of external validation by nationally-recognized experts, the draft of the Nebraska Fine Arts Standards is now available for review by the general public.  The State Board of Education is seeking public comment on the draft throughJanuary 17, 2014. You may offer your input by taking an electronic survey, attending a public meeting on January 16, sending written comments directly to Debbie DeFrain, Director of Fine Arts, or bycontacting your State Board member.  

Please click on this link to learn more about how you can let your voice be heard.http://www.education.ne.gov/.  As of today, the State Board plans to take action on the adoption of the standards at their February 4, 2014 meeting.  No standards are final until adopted by the State Board of Education.

Again, here are ways you can respond to the draft standards:

1. Email comments - nde.standardsinput@nebraska.gov

2. Electronic survey - http://www.education.ne.gov/standardssurvey/ -- we have had a few reports of people not able to view the survey – it may be your firewalls. Please check your settings.

3. Written comments to:
Fine Arts Standards Input: Debbie DeFrain
Nebraska Department of Education
PO Box 94987, 301 Centennial Mall South
Lincoln, NE 68509-4987

4. Contact your Nebraska State School Board Member - http://www.education.ne.gov/StateBoard/Members.html

5. Public Input Meeting – January 16, 2014 at 10 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Central Time-- until close of testimony:

Lincoln – Department of Education State Board Room, 6th Floor, 301 Centennial Mall South
Omaha – ESU 3 - 6949 S 110 St
Wakefield – ESU 1 - 211 10 St, Conference Room A
Kearney – ESU 10 - 76 Plaza Blvd, South Wing Rooms E & F
Scottsbluff – ESU 13 – HATC, E-189, 2601 College Park
Ainsworth – ESU 17 – Training Center, 1292 E 4 St

Participants will sign in and give testimony. Video streaming from the NDE homepage http://www.education.ne.gov/ is available for those not able to attend one of the interactive locations. Email and written testimony will be accepted until the end of the comment period on January 17, 2014.

On another note, Debra Wehrmann DeFrain, formerly of Peru State College, joined the Nebraska Department of Education on May 28, 2013, as the new Director of Fine Arts. We are extremely pleased to have Debbie as a permanent part of our NDE Team. Her leadership skills and expertise will be invaluable as we implement the new standards. Debbie may be contacted atDebbie.DeFrain@nebraska.gov.

Thank you in advance for the time and expertise I hope you will give to this valuable task. Nebraska students will benefit from your efforts. – Donlynn

Donlynn Rice 
Administrator - Curriculum, Instruction, and Innovation
Nebraska Department of Education
301 Centennial Mall South
Lincoln, NE 68509
402-471-3240. Fax: 402-471-0117. e-mail donlynn.rice@nebraska.gov