Perkins College Summit Goals

Rural education not only affects classroom and administration issues, but it also has an impact on community support services, such as healthcare and economic development. Changing demographics in the U.S. population, such as the rapid growth of the Hispanic community, poses substantial opportunities for the future.

To help promote a national focus on these important issues, the James I. Perkins College of Education at Stephen F. Austin State University is pleased to host the 2008 National Summit on Rural Education. Video of the sessions will be available online in their entirety following the event, and an interactive Web site will host various online discussions regarding rural education to document the critical needs for future research and additional government policies to advance education in a rural setting.

Summit Goals

• Through a national dialogue bring broad U.S. attention to the needs and challenges of rural education
• Begin defining the unique needs and challenges of children and families living in rural areas--recognizing that some needs are universal to all children
• At a national level, start exploring solutions in rural education needs and challenges
• Highlight rural successes that may be translated and applied to urban and suburban education settings
• Encourage national professional organizations to sponsor rural education research and initiatives to address needs and challenges and, through their journals, magazines, newsletters, conferences and other venues to inform policy makers and practitioners
• Bring to light rural initiatives within the U.S. Departments of Education, Agriculture, and Health and Human Services
• Draw attention to colleges and universities rural education efforts
• Examine existing local, state and national policies and statutes to determine their effectiveness and provide information to policy makers to assist them in crafting appropriate legislation that meets the needs and children and families living in rural areas