presented by rachel b. tompkins april 16 - 17, 2009 community foundation of the ozarks, springfield,...
TRANSCRIPT
Presented by
Rachel B. TompkinsApril 16 - 17, 2009
Community Foundation of the Ozarks, Springfield, MO
Engaging Students, Improving Schools, Revitalizing Rural
Communities
The mission of the Rural School and Community Trust is to help rural schools
and communities get better together.
The Rural Trust2
Goals:
Good Schools Close to Home Adequately and equitably financed Accountable to responsible local
people
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Messages:
Rural Matters Small Works Community Counts Kids Can
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History:
Annenberg Rural Challenge 1995 Matched $50 Million and gave it away
by 2002 Rural School and Community Trust
1999
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Structure:
National Board Virtual Staff Annual Budget – around 2 million Mixture of foundation funding and
sales of services
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Programs:
Capacity Building Policy Rural School Innovation Network
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Capacity Building:
Place-based Learning Learning with Public Purpose
Community Development Youth reducing poverty
Creating extended learning opportunities
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Policy:
Rural citizen organizing and education Research and analysis (legal, financial,
policy) Particular emphasis on school finance National rural policy advocacy
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A Gathering of Rural Citizens and Educators April 19 – 21, 2009 Kanuga Conference Center, Hendersonville, NC
Rural Education Working Group (REWG) Meeting
“Everyone told me that this was
the best conference they’d
ever attended, but this is much
better than I ever imagined. I’ve
learned so much that we can use and build on.”
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Why Rural Matters 2009:
Why Rural Matters 2009 is a snapshot of rural education that provides essential information on the condition of rural education in the 50 states and uncovers new trends and challenges facing rural educators.
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Rural SchoolInnovation Network
A Rural School and Community Trust managed network of schools and school districts striving for excellence in challenging circumstances.
A mutual self-help network sharing innovations that improve rural education, especially in the poorest rural communities.
An alliance of rural education advocates working to improve policy for rural places.
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RSIN Webinar
Next Webinar:
Date/Time: Wed., April 29, 2009, 2:00 pm EDTTitle: What does stimulus funding mean for rural
schools?
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Rural Schools as National Leaders
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Centers of community – economy of function
Preparing citizens for a democracy Community development Regional food systems Regional energy systems
“…it’s a recognition that six hours a day, five days a week, nine months out of the year doesn’t quite work. It’s really trying to redefine fundamentally what it means to be a school. So I think it means a longer day; I think it means all the values and principles around community schools: art, drama, academic enrichment, GED, {English as a second language}, family literacy nights. Really engaging the community: health care clinics, early childhood, the whole gamut. Making school the center of family life. ...”
Honorable Arne Duncan,
Secretary of Education ED Daily 03/25/09
Schools As Centers of Community15
Economies of scope, not economies of scale.
Community Education and Development Centers
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Public School Health Clinic Pre-School Childcare Cyber Café &
Technology Center Senior Center Library Small Business
Incubator
Community Fitness & Recreation Center
Municipal Offices Fire & Rescue
Services Public Meeting
Space Community
Development Corporation Office
Post Office
Community Education and Development Centers
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Advantages Coordinated delivery; convenience Shared use of specialized areas Access to multiple sources of funding Enable community-based learning Share professional personnel
Community Education and Development Centers
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Barriers Regulatory – centralized control Categorical funding Different construction standards State laws prohibiting joint use Hours of operation Formulas for advocating space and costs Zoning regulations Time to negotiate
Community Education and Development Centers
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Community Development Corporations Community Foundations State enabling legislation Funding for planning and architectural
services
Community Education and Development Centers
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Citizenship
School Funding
– Van Wert, Ohio
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Citizenship
Media Arts in Public Schools - Montana
Young historians at the Margaret Chase Smith LibrarySkowhegan, Maine
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Community Development
Entrepreneurial Opportunities & Internships
Theatre – Albion, Nebraska
Aquaculture – Lubec,
Maine
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Community Development
Reinvestment
Earned Income Tax Credit – St. Helena,
Louisiana
Howard, South Dakota
Historic walking tourSkowhegan, Maine
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Regional Food Systems
First lady Michelle Obama hands a potted plant to a student as they plant herbs in the White House Kitchen Garden on the South Lawn of the White House
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Small Business (Farm to Table, Geospatial Technologies, Greenhouse), Rappahannock County, Virginia
Regional Energy Systems
“We’re a small school, but we wanted the kids to see the connection between what’s going on in the world and what they’re doing – and how they can affect what’s going on in the world.”-Charlie Wanzer, Math and Science Teacher at Cabot School
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Summer energy campers and leaders: bottom (left to right) Brian Mudgett, RileyCarlson, Julia Gulka, and Maria Hoyt. Top (left to right) Charlie Spence, CharlieWanzer, Lillian Alexander, Rich Phillips, Brett Ostrum, and Alyssa Johnson-Kurts. Missing, Michael Horowitz, Lynne McConnell, and Audrey Tassey Ayer.
Thank you.
Rural School and Community Trust
www.ruraledu.org(703) 243-1487
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