Rural Policy Matters


Rural Policy Matters: July 2014

Rural Policy Matters: July 2014 The July issue of RPM covers the deadline extension for School-wide free lunches for eligible schools; examines how Washington State is dealing with a school finance court order; explores Georgia’s new gun laws and how schools are responding; and reports on the Capitol Hill briefing of Why Rural Matters 2013–14.
Date: July 28, 2014
Related Categories: Rural Policy Matters
Related Tags: Rural Policy Matters Issue Index, Rural Trust Publication


Fact and Figures About Rural Students and Subsidized School Meals

Question: What is the percentage of rural students who are eligible for subsidized school meals?
Date: July 28, 2014
Related Categories: Rural Policy Matters
Related Tags: Facts and Figures


Schools May Still Apply to Offer Free Lunches to All Students

School districts still have time to apply to a federal program that allows high-poverty schools to offer free meals to all students.
Date: July 28, 2014
Related Categories: Administrator, Community Advocate, Parent, Rural Policy Matters
Related Tags: Federal Programs, Income Related Issues


Washington Court and Legislature Nearing Showdown Over School Funding

Washington’s state legislature is unlikely to meet a Supreme Court deadline related to the state’s school finance lawsuit and it’s not clear what the Court will do about it.


Georgia Gun Law: So Far No School Takers

Schools in Georgia are not opting into provisions in a new law that makes it possible to arm teachers and other staff members.


WRM Briefing Prompts Floor Speech on Title I Equity

The Capitol Hill briefing of Why Rural Matters prompts Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson to call for reforms to Title I funding formulas.


Rural Policy Matters: June 2014

Rural Policy Matters: June 2014 The June issue of RPM offers a rural take on the recent court decision in California addressing teacher tenure and looks at how the North Carolina legislature is using the state budget to affect a range of education policies.
Date: June 27, 2014
Related Categories: Rural Policy Matters
Related Tags: Rural Policy Matters Issue Index


Fact and Figures About the Percentage of Rural Districts in the U.S.

Question: Rural school districts make up what percentage of all U.S. school districts? 
Date: June 27, 2014
Related Categories: Rural Policy Matters
Related Tags: Facts and Figures, School Location


California Tenure Ruling: Big Splash, Unclear Consequences

A California ruling on teacher tenure changes little in the short run, but frames a big political debate on the future of teaching and public sector job rights.


North Carolina Teacher Policy Debates Move to Budget Process

North Carolina teachers won back some of their tenure protections, but that fight has moved to the state budget process, where several education policies are under debate.


Rural Policy Matters: May 2014

Rural Policy Matters: May 2014The May issue of RPM presents information from Why Rural Matters 2013–14; reports on some of the complex issues that teachers face; and reviews a new report on the importance of supports for young children and their families and what states are doing about it.
Date: May 27, 2014
Related Categories: Rural Policy Matters
Related Tags: Rural Policy Matters Issue Index, Rural Trust Publication


Facts and Figures About Rural School District Sizes

Question: What is the median size (the size at which half are larger and half are smaller) of a rural school district in the U.S.?
Date: May 27, 2014
Related Categories: Rural Policy Matters
Related Tags: Facts and Figures


Why Rural Matters 2013-14 Released

The Rural Trust releases Why Rural Matters 2013–14.


A Rural Teacher Makes a Tough Decision

It wasn’t discipline in the usual sense, nor the demands of a small school, but lack of support and policies that seem bent on student failure that prompted one accomplished rural teacher to make a heart-breaking decision.
Date: May 27, 2014
Related Categories: Rural Policy Matters, Teacher
Related Tags: School Location, Teacher Issues


Early Childhood Supports Key

A new guide makes a compelling case that states can improve educational and economic outcomes with policies and programs that support young children and their families. The guide also includes links to efforts that some states are already implementing successfully.
Date: May 27, 2014
Related Categories: Rural Policy Matters
Related Tags: Income Related Issues, Pre-K and Kindergarden, School Location