On March 23, 2023, the Nebraska Advisory Committee (Committee) to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission) adopted a proposal to undertake a study on the civil rights effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on education in the state. The focus of the Committee’s inquiry was to examine the challenges faced by diverse communities regarding youth mental health and the digital divide.
As part of this inquiry the Committee heard testimony via videoconference held on July 10, 2023, July 13, 2023, November 8, 2023, March 6, 2024, and May 15, 2024. The following report results from a review of testimony provided at these meetings. It begins with a brief background of the issues to be considered by the Committee. It then identifies primary findings as they emerged from this testimony. Finally, it makes recommendations for addressing related civil rights concerns. This report focuses on an examination of the lingering effects the Covid-19 pandemic has had on public and non-public K-12 education in Nebraska stemming from Spring 2020 (lockdown) and the 2020-2021 academic year, with a specific focus on disparities that were created and/or reinforced based on race, color, age, disability, or other federally protected category as they relate to: (a) the challenges of e-learning and (b) increased mental health issues facing youth with the intent of identifying opportunities to address ongoing challenges through laws and procedures.
While other important topics may have surfaced throughout the Committee’s inquiry, matters that are outside the scope of this specific civil rights mandate are left for another discussion. This report and the recommendations included within it were adopted unanimously by the Committee on August 21, 2025.