PLATTE Publications

The True Cost of Remedial Education in Nebraska

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:30:00 EST

By Rubria Jessica Hintz
Platte Institute

Remedial classes are taken by students who are not prepared for entrance level courses taken by most college students. These young scholars and their parents fully expect that successful graduation from an accredited high school has prepared them for success; however, 21% of all post secondary students were enrolled in at least one remedial class in 2003-04.1 Although this is an alarming statistic, a significant number of these students may be older adults returning to college. "Nearly four out of five students who undergo remediation in college graduated from high school with grade-point averages of 3.0 or higher," which suggests they met their high school graduation requirements, but did not meet college performance standards.2 The bottom line is our public schools are not adequately preparing some college bound students for the rigors of higher education.

Omaha is at a Crossroads

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:07:00 EST

By Bob Zabawa
Former President of
Nebraska Taxpayers Association

Omaha is at a crossroads. Our City leaders can take the easy pathway and raise property taxes or honestly deal with some obvious long-term employment issues.

Virtual Education Benefits All of Nebraska

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:00:00 EST

By Anne Duda
Senior Policy Analyst

Technology has transformed everything in our daily lives. We carry cell phones in our pockets and GPS mapping equipment in our tractors, but yet, we in Nebraska have not fully allowed technology into our school systems. Despite computers being a staple in almost every classroom, they are not being used to their full potential. If technology were properly integrated then students in Cozad and Louisville would be able to take Arabic and Cantonese along with all thirty-seven Advanced Placement (AP) classes. There should be no reason students in Lexington and McCook do not have the same opportunities as students in Millard or Lincoln.

High School Dropout Rates, Economy Go Hand-in-Hand

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:22:00 EST

One in every nine high school freshmen in Nebraska will drop out of school before graduating, but in Omaha more than one out of four will drop out. According to the Alliance for Excellent Education, the economic impact of having that many children failing to get a high school diploma has a staggering economic impact.

The Good, Bad and Ugly of Nebraska Health Care

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:07:00 EST

To put it in medical terminology, Nebraska's health care quality is in stable condition but has somewhat deteriorated.

That's the diagnosis from the Commonwealth Fund's 2009 State Scorecard on Health System Performance.
Overall, the 2009 State Scorecard paints a picture of health care systems under stress. The measurements provide a framework for state and federal action to address common concerns as well as specific areas of need. It assesses benchmarks for 38 indicators of access, quality, costs and health outcomes. To view the complete report, please CLICK HERE.

The Faustian Bargain in Omaha Politics

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:44:00 EST

Editor's Note: Beginning this year, the Platte Institute for Economic Research will be having guest writers contribute to our Platte Chat newsletter. This is the first such guest Platte Chat. The writer is Dan Welch, an Omaha lawyer who served on the Omaha City Council from 2001-2009. He was the Omaha City Council President from 2005-2009.

Like all unionized organizations, the City of Omaha is now in the normal process of negotiating long-term contracts with union employees. Omaha's elected officials are responsible for negotiating and approving these contracts. But unlike most collective bargaining arrangements, the State of Nebraska allows for public unions to contribute to elected officials campaigns, despite the fact that these officials will set the salaries and benefits of the very same unions. This is a clear conflict of interest and creates a problem for taxpayers.

Wallets on Empty - Is There a Fuel Tax Increase Down the Road?

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:56:00 EST

In fiscal year 2006, the State of Nebraska collected $172.04 from every man, woman and child in the state in the form of motor fuel taxes - the sixth highest per-capita amount in the United States. And yet, Nebraska is looking for even more revenue to help fill its ever dwindling bucket of cash to maintain and improve our roads. Apparently digging their hands into citizens' pockets for more cash than 44 other states just isn't quite enough.

Time is Now for Charter Schools in Nebraska

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 09:23:00 EST

The Platte Institute today releases its latest study, “Race to the Top – Can We Compete: Nebraska’s Charter School Initiative.” Authored by Vicki E. Murray, Ph.D., the study outlines the compelling need for Nebraska to adopt legislation allowing for charter schools.

Below is the executive summary from the study. You may download the entire 52-page study by following THIS LINK.

A Better Way to Educate in Nebraska

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:59:00 EST

Without question, Nebraskans place a high value on their education system. However, asking what kind of value the Nebraska K-12 education system provides to its citizens is a valid question. The following report examines whether the high investment being made into the system by Nebraska’s citizens provides the children in the K-12 system the kind of education Nebraska citizens believe they are receiving. Many Nebraska school districts claim they are providing value, however, based on weak state standards, significant increases in receipts and stagnant test scores, our findings indicate otherwise.

Centralization is Key to Creating More Leverage and Efficiency in State Government Spending on Vehicles

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:33:00 EST

The Nebraska State Auditor’s office released a new report on December 14, 2009 reviewing the use of state-owned vehicles. They found that as of June 31, 2008 the state owned 8,207 vehicles. The Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles reported that that number had increased to 9,707 vehicles by December 31, 2008 – an 18 percent increase in just six months.