Nebraska Education Sees Policy, Leadership Shifts

For a state with a small enrollment, Nebraska is looking at some big changes in education policy—and those who set it.

Earlier this month, a new, uniform statewide testing system was signed into law, despite objections from top state education officials who favored the existing system of locally developed tests. ( "Nebraska Bill Would Boost State Tests' Status," March 26, 2008.)

Lawmakers had been putting the final touches on that change in late March even as state Commissioner of Education Douglas D. Christensen—an unabashed supporter of the homegrown tests—announced his...