AIR is committed to supporting rural educators’ effectiveness, learning about rural schools’ and districts’ most pressing needs, and making a difference for students across the country. AIR’s DSI Center has technical assistance staff who have served in rural communities and experienced first-hand the unique challenges students and educators face in these environments. AIR’s research alliances bring together rural educators, Native American Indian tribes, policymakers, researchers, and others to investigate factors and potential solutions related to strengthening rural school performance. Currently the REL Midwest and REL Southwest operate Rural Schools Research Alliances.

Our resources, available at no cost, include:

Spotlight: Addressing Challenges and Elevating Opportunities in Rural Education

Supporting STEM in Rural Schools and Districts (Webinar)

Rural REL Projects

Dropout Prevention in Rural Schools (Video)

Expanding Our Thinking about Recruiting and Retaining Effective Educators for Rural Areas

Aspirations of Rural Youth

Culturally Responsive Resources for Native Students (Video)

Rural Educators and Mathematics

College Enrollment Patters for Rural Indiana High School Graduates

Postsecondary Education Expectations and Attainment of Rural and Nonrural Students

Rural Schools in Oklahoma Offer Fewer Types of Teacher Professional Development Opportunities Than Nonrural Schools

Indicators of Successful Teacher Recruitment and Retention in Oklahoma Rural School Districts