Trying to identify, discuss, and study the unique assets and liabilities found in rural schools and the communities they serve.

Building Connections, Capacity, and Knowledge

Tools developed available for all

The Center

Declining Population/Changing Demographics

Flat (at best) Property Values

Heightened Academic Expectations

Two commission Reports (taxes & efficiency)

Schools as an island in their community

Brain Drain, Brain Gain

Highest out mig rate

Lowest out mig rate

Highest in mig. rate

Lowest in mig rate

AK 22.9 MA 11.5 NV 39.4 IW 1.9

WY 20.9 PA 11.3 AZ 27.6 MI 11.6

HI 19.4 OH 11.2 FL 23.7 WV 11.5

NM 19.3 NJ 11.1 CO 22.2 IL 11.4

DE 17.7 WI 10.4 ID 21.8 WI 11.2

Upstate NY 13.4 Upstate NY 9.3

US Median 13.3 US Median 17.1

Dietz, 2007

Return

Planning for Current vs. Future budgets

Planning for Local vs. State support

Planning in Isolation vs. Collaboratively

Planning Locally vs. Regionally

County Projections

Looking Back – 15 Year Trends

LinkWhat if ? Scenario Planner

CaRDI - Publications- VIEW project (Assemblage of Data Resources)

Data Tools - Program in Applied Demographics- County/municipal data/projections/maps- 15 year trends (beta)- Enrollment Projections (beta)- Budget Playground (beta)- Cohort Tracker (not yet on site, piloting)

NYRuralSchools.org

Functional Consolidation

Regional Approaches

Reorganization Options

Better Use of Technology

1. Stronger linkages with Community Colleges and Regional Economic Development Organizations.

2. Middle School – Experiential Learning

3. Broadband Access – Rural New York

4. Rural Schools as Community Centers

5. High Quality Teaching