Presented by

Rachel B. TompkinsApril 16 - 17, 2009

Community Foundation of the Ozarks, Springfield, MO

Engaging Students, Improving Schools, Revitalizing Rural

Communities

The mission of the Rural School and Community Trust is to help rural schools

and communities get better together.

The Rural Trust2

Goals:

Good Schools Close to Home Adequately and equitably financed Accountable to responsible local

people

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Messages:

Rural Matters Small Works Community Counts Kids Can

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History:

Annenberg Rural Challenge 1995 Matched $50 Million and gave it away

by 2002 Rural School and Community Trust

1999

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Structure:

National Board Virtual Staff Annual Budget – around 2 million Mixture of foundation funding and

sales of services

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Programs:

Capacity Building Policy Rural School Innovation Network

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Capacity Building:

Place-based Learning Learning with Public Purpose

Community Development Youth reducing poverty

Creating extended learning opportunities

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Policy:

Rural citizen organizing and education Research and analysis (legal, financial,

policy) Particular emphasis on school finance National rural policy advocacy

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A Gathering of Rural Citizens and Educators April 19 – 21, 2009 Kanuga Conference Center, Hendersonville, NC

Rural Education Working Group (REWG) Meeting

“Everyone told me that this was

the best conference they’d

ever attended, but this is much

better than I ever imagined. I’ve

learned so much that we can use and build on.”

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Why Rural Matters 2009:

Why Rural Matters 2009 is a snapshot of rural education that provides essential information on the condition of rural education in the 50 states and uncovers new trends and challenges facing rural educators.

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Rural SchoolInnovation Network

A Rural School and Community Trust managed network of schools and school districts striving for excellence in challenging circumstances.

A mutual self-help network sharing innovations that improve rural education, especially in the poorest rural communities.

An alliance of rural education advocates working to improve policy for rural places.

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RSIN Webinar

Next Webinar:

Date/Time: Wed., April 29, 2009, 2:00 pm EDTTitle: What does stimulus funding mean for rural

schools?

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Rural Schools as National Leaders

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Centers of community – economy of function

Preparing citizens for a democracy Community development Regional food systems Regional energy systems

“…it’s a recognition that six hours a day, five days a week, nine months out of the year doesn’t quite work. It’s really trying to redefine fundamentally what it means to be a school. So I think it means a longer day; I think it means all the values and principles around community schools: art, drama, academic enrichment, GED, {English as a second language}, family literacy nights. Really engaging the community: health care clinics, early childhood, the whole gamut. Making school the center of family life. ...”

Honorable Arne Duncan,

Secretary of Education ED Daily 03/25/09

Schools As Centers of Community15

Economies of scope, not economies of scale.

Community Education and Development Centers

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Public School Health Clinic Pre-School Childcare Cyber Café &

Technology Center Senior Center Library Small Business

Incubator

Community Fitness & Recreation Center

Municipal Offices Fire & Rescue

Services Public Meeting

Space Community

Development Corporation Office

Post Office

Community Education and Development Centers

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Advantages Coordinated delivery; convenience Shared use of specialized areas Access to multiple sources of funding Enable community-based learning Share professional personnel

Community Education and Development Centers

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Barriers Regulatory – centralized control Categorical funding Different construction standards State laws prohibiting joint use Hours of operation Formulas for advocating space and costs Zoning regulations Time to negotiate

Community Education and Development Centers

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Community Development Corporations Community Foundations State enabling legislation Funding for planning and architectural

services

Community Education and Development Centers

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Citizenship

School Funding

– Van Wert, Ohio

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Citizenship

Media Arts in Public Schools - Montana

Young historians at the Margaret Chase Smith LibrarySkowhegan, Maine

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Community Development

Entrepreneurial Opportunities & Internships

Theatre – Albion, Nebraska

Aquaculture – Lubec,

Maine

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Community Development

Reinvestment

Earned Income Tax Credit – St. Helena,

Louisiana

Howard, South Dakota

Historic walking tourSkowhegan, Maine

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Regional Food Systems

First lady Michelle Obama hands a potted plant to a student as they plant herbs in the White House Kitchen Garden on the South Lawn of the White House

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Small Business (Farm to Table, Geospatial Technologies, Greenhouse), Rappahannock County, Virginia

Regional Energy Systems

“We’re a small school, but we wanted the kids to see the connection between what’s going on in the world and what they’re doing – and how they can affect what’s going on in the world.”-Charlie Wanzer, Math and Science Teacher at Cabot School

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Summer energy campers and leaders: bottom (left to right) Brian Mudgett, RileyCarlson, Julia Gulka, and Maria Hoyt. Top (left to right) Charlie Spence, CharlieWanzer, Lillian Alexander, Rich Phillips, Brett Ostrum, and Alyssa Johnson-Kurts. Missing, Michael Horowitz, Lynne McConnell, and Audrey Tassey Ayer.

Thank you.

Rural School and Community Trust

www.ruraledu.org(703) 243-1487

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