Center for the Transformation of Schools

This policy brief identifies unique challenges and opportunities for CA’s rural schools and communities. Rural schools and communities face a unique set of chronic challenges including high levels of poverty and fewer job opportunities relative to urban areas, less access to healthcare, more significant teacher shortages, and heightened vulnerability to labor market shocks. Because school enrollment drives public school funding, rural schools have been historically underfunded, contributing to underinvestment in physical and educational infrastructure. The impact of these historic trends has been compounded by two distinctly modern challenges: COVID-19 and rampant annual wildfires. These challenges demand urgent action, and recent federal and state dollars represent an important investment to fund such action. If properly leveraged and made accessible to rural communities, federal and state resources can support rural districts in harnessing their unique assets and mitigating their distinct challenges. This policy brief explores current state and federal resources available to support evidence based solutions to the most pressing challenges facing rural California schools. These resources include funds from the American Rescue Plan, the American Families Plan, and the 2022-2023 California state budget. Learn more on the CTS website.