The Nebraska Advisory Committee to the U-S Commission on Civil Rights is holding a pair of virtual hearings next week to take testimony on the civil rights implications of how the Covid-19 pandemic impacted education in the state.
Committee Chair Nikitah Imani, a UNO professor of Black Studies, says the hearing next Monday and next Friday will “focus on the digital divide and increasing mental health challenges.” Findings will be released later in a report.
. The Monday session at 9:00 will be a general overview of the issue with the 2:00 Friday session focusing on “E-Learning and the Digital Divide.” Those wishing to testify virtually are asked to register beforehand at the Advisory Committee website.
Imani says the goal of the virtual hearings is to better understand the “lived experiences and lessons learned from the urgent need to shift educational practices and identify areas in need of improvement.”
The hope is that the committee can “identify areas that are still in need of improvements and support from a civil rights lens.” T
Student proficiency test scores dipped nationally during the pandemic. Nebraska’s were flat in math and dropped in language arts during the 21-22 school year, the testing the year after pandemic limits were lifted, with students of color losing the most ground.
To view Monday’s meeting, access the website tinyurl.come/bdxec4m4/ while the Friday website is tinyurl.com/37bzknb5. The audio for both is available by calling 833-435-1820. Monday’s meeting code number is 160 166 3612. The Friday code is 161 805 8975. Written comments can be submitted until August 11 at vmoreno@usccr.gov.