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John Hill, executive director of the National Rural Education Association, a Purdue University-based group that pursues educational equity for rural school districts, says lawmakers and educational pundits often overlook rural educational challenges that differ widely from those faced by urban schools.
"With programs like No Child Left Behind, the federal government is seeking to better our students' educations, but we need to be sure and remind the government that rural schools especially need help in funding the mandates government imposes," Hill said.
An educator with more than 37 years of experience as a teacher and administrator, Hill also serves as a visiting professor of educational studies at Purdue, where the association has been headquartered since January.
"Since funding is often tied to enrollment, one of the biggest concerns for rural districts is a lack of resources.
Hill said consolidation, often touted as a money-saving strategy, is not a cure-all for the problems of rural districts since schools now often face unfunded mandates not in effect when consolidation occurred.
"Schools that have consolidated to a single countywide system in rural areas still experience financial difficulties and a lack of qualified teachers," Hill said.
Hill's immediate goals for the organization include developing a strategic growth plan and cultivating relationships with key members of Congress.
With affiliates in 42 states, the association represents rural schools at the national level, with members who serve on national educational review panels and coalitions.
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Posted on February 25, 2008 11:30 PM
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