Why Rural Matters


New "Why Rural Matters" Report Now Available

Why Rural Matters 2015-16The new edition of Why Rural Matters, from the nonprofit, nonpartisan Rural School and Community Trust, provides an overall "priority" ranking of the 50 states, showing the greatest needs in rural education.


Why Rural Matters 2015-2016 Capitol Hill briefing to be held April 3, 2017

Why Rural Matters 2015-2016 is the eighth in a series of biennial reports analyzing the contexts and conditions of rural education in each of the 50 states and calling attention to the need for policymakers to address rural education issues in their respective states.


Monsanto Fund awards $25,000 to the Rural School and Community Trust in support of Why Rural Matter 2015-16 research project

The Rural School and Community Trust received a $25,000 Monsanto grant award providing support for the research and publication of Why Rural Matters 2015-16. This biennial series research report focuses on the realities of K-12 education state-by-state across rural America.  


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 Trust Releases Why Rural Matters 2013-14

Why Rural Matters 2013-14Why Rural Matters 2013-14 is the seventh in a series of biennial reports analyzing the contexts and conditions of rural education in each of the 50 states and calling attention to the need for policymakers to address rural education issues in their respective states.
Date: June 24, 2014
Related Categories: Publications, What's New
Related Tags: Why Rural Matters


Why Rural Matters 2013-14 Released

The Rural Trust releases Why Rural Matters 2013–14.


Facts and Figures about Rural Teacher Salaries

Question: Which thirteen states have the lowest rural teacher salary expenditures per full-time equivalent (a proxy for measuring full-time teacher salaries)?


Facts and Figures about the Mobility of Rural Students

Question: Which three states have the highest rates of rural student mobility, that is, the highest numbers of rural students who have changed residence in the previous 12 months?
Date: April 27, 2012
Related Categories: Rural Policy Matters
Related Tags: Facts and Figures, Why Rural Matters


Facts and Figures About Rural Student Poverty

Question: Which state has the highest rate of poverty (as measured by eligibility for federally funded subsidized meals) among rural students?
Date: March 29, 2012
Related Categories: Rural Policy Matters
Related Tags: Facts and Figures, Why Rural Matters


Rural Trust's Williams Joins Work on Dropout Prevention and Recovery

Doris Terry Williams, Executive Director of the Rural Trust, was recently appointed to the rural education technical working group on dropout prevention and recovery established by the U.S. Department of Education.
Date: February 23, 2012
Related Categories: Rural Policy Matters
Related Tags: Discipline, Graduation Rate/Dropout, High School, Income Related Issues, Why Rural Matters


Facts and Figures About States Where Rural Enrollment Doubled in the Past Decade

Question: In which eight states did rural enrollment more than double from 1999–2000 through 2008–2009?
Date: February 22, 2012
Related Categories: Rural Policy Matters
Related Tags: Facts and Figures, Why Rural Matters


Why Rural Matters 2011-2012 Released This Month

Overall rural enrollment in the nation’s schools continued to increase in recent years, in part because of significant increases in the numbers of Hispanic students. Rural poverty has also increased. These findings and many more were revealed with the release of Why Rural Matters 2011–12 earlier this month. Learn about rural education issues in your state and across the nation.
Date: January 27, 2012
Related Categories: Rural Policy Matters
Related Tags: RT Policy Department, School Location, Why Rural Matters


Why Rural Matters 2011-12: Statistical Indicators of the Condition of Rural Education in the 50 States

WhyRural Matters 2011-12Why Rural Matters 2011–12 is the sixth in a series of biennial reports analyzing the contexts and conditions of rural education in each of the 50 states and calling attention to the need for policymakers to address rural education issues in their respective states.


Why Rural Matters 2011-12 Press Release

Nearly one in four American children attend rural schools and enrollment is growing at a faster rate in rural school districts than in all other places combined, according to Why Rural Matters 2011–12, a biennial report by the Rural School and Community Trust.


Why Rural Matters 2009: An Interview with Co-Author and Researcher Jerry Johnson

RPM interviews Why Rural Matters (WRM) co-author Jerry Johnson about his personal perspectives on the findings in this important report.
Date: December 08, 2009
Related Categories: Rural Policy Matters, What's New
Related Tags: All States, Income Related Issues, Title I, Why Rural Matters