We hear so much about inner-city poverty. The report points out that rural America is far poorer than metropolitan areas and that nearly one in four U.S. schoolchildren attends school in a rural area. The unique problems rural schools face go largely unnoticed in the national debate over the direction of the education, however. Recruitment and retention of rural teachers, principals, and administrators is difficult. Teacher salaries are lower.
Bus rides are longer and transportation costs are higher.
Teachers are expected to teach both in and out of the field. Internet access is delayed. Per pupil costs are higher yet levels of discretionary spending are lower. The good news is that rural communities still have small schools. They're important for all kinds of reasons, so we're very interested in pointing out these advantages.