Department of Education Resources

• Rural Education
  A Rural Education Task Force was formed to encourage conversation around the challenges of rural schools and their communities. Contact ruraled@ed.gov



• Vocational Education Offerings in Rural High Schools
  Issue brief using data from the 1999 "Survey on Vocational Programs in Secondary Schools." Examines rural area, vocational education delivery systems.

Other Resources

• Nonmetro Poverty: Assessing the Effect of the 1990's (Economic Research Service, September 2003)
  Examines the differences in poverty between U.S. metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas during the 1990's



• Rural America at a Glance (Economic Research Service, 2003)
  Six-page brochure highlighting the most recent indicators of social and economic conditions in rural areas for use in developing policies and programs to assist rural areas.

Organizations Serving the Appalachian Region

• The Appalachian College Association is a consortium of 33 private liberal arts colleges spread across the central Appalachian mountains in Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Collectively the colleges serve over 30,000 students. The ACA encourages its member colleges to foster Appalachian history and culture; to share ideas, information, programs and resources; and to support the economic development of the region by serving as resources for agencies formulating regional policies.
  
  
• The Appalachian Studies Association
  Mission is to encourage study, advance scholarship, disseminate information, and enhance communication between Appalachian peoples, their communities, governmental organizations, and educational institutions.
  
  
• Navigating Resources for Rural Schools from the National Center for Education Statistics features rural education data and resources.
  
  
• The National Rural Development Partnership (NRDP) works to strengthen rural America through collaborative partnerships. The NRDP brings together partners from local, state, tribal, and federal governments, as well as from the for-profit and nonprofit private sector.
  
  
• Rural Community College Alliance
  Seeks to understand link between education and economic prosperity. Works to improve education and build the regional economy.

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