Despite decades of metropolitan growth, over 9.3 million students still attend rural schools in the United States. These children comprise nearly 20 percent of all students in the country. However, historically rural students, educators, families, and communities have been left out of the conversation in education research, policy making, and instructional improvement.
Rural school communities are experiencing demographic changes and economic shifts that affect everything from the hiring of educators to the college and career pathways available to students. By deepening the understanding of rural education needs and opportunities, NORC’s research informs federal, state, and local initiatives to improve educational outcomes and educational equity in rural areas.
NORC conducts rural education research across several school-community intersections, including primary data collection on how rural districts are building educator pipelines and improving retention. These studies are grounded in the specific needs of rural students, families, and communities.
Rural Education Experts
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Marisa Crowder
Senior Research Scientist -
Robert Meyer
Senior Fellow -
Jenna Scott
Vice President -
Jenny Seelig
Senior Research Scientist
