A Half-Century of Nebraska Education

Abstract

The pioneers’ journey across Nebraska was rough and ever changing, and the same can be said for the educating of Nebraskans on the state’s history. Since the centennial of Nebraska statehood in 1967, changes to the education of Nebraska history has made students metaphorically traverse over both rough, hilly topics and flat, grassy lessons. These changes can be seen by examining sources from various Nebraska schools dating back to the 1960s. The variety and pace of Nebraska history curriculum change throughout these schools is wild and varied, with periods of little changes between the decades to overarching changes in only a few years. The examination of these sources will inform educators as to how the education of the state’s history has changed, what it is in its current form, and what this will tell educators about the future of state history education