On average, rural schools serve 344 students, which is smaller compared to those in towns, suburbs, or cities, and have fewer specialized staff and services relative to schools in other locales.  According to 2013 data from the High School Longitudinal Study, 76% of urban and 79% of suburban students went to some form of college compared to 71% of rural students.  Yet rural families seem more involved at school than families in other locales despite the longer average travel times involved in these regions.

Cindy Cisneros, Vice President of Education Programs at the Committee for Economic Development, the public policy center of The Conference Board (CED), discusses issues in rural education including teacher recruitment and the impact of technology on learning, as well as the role of local employers in increasing educational opportunities for students. Joining her is Laurie Smith, the 2021 National Rural Teacher of the Year.