Rural Matters

Byron White, Wellington, Colorado, U.S. Supreme Court Justice

Byron White served on the U.S. Supreme Court from 1962 until 1993. He graduated from Wellington High School in Colorado and attended the University of Colorado on a scholarship, where he graduated first in his class in 1938. He held varsity letters in football, basketball, and baseball where he earned the nickname, "Whizzer" (a name he later came to despise). White played professional football in 1938 with the Pittsburgh Pirates (now Steelers) and in 1940 and 1941 with the Detroit Lions. In 1954 he was named to the National Football Hall of Fame.

White won a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford, and then returned to the United States to complete a law degree at Yale. Upon graduation from Yale, White clerked for Chief Justice Fred Vinson. Thereafter, White returned to Colorado and engaged in private law practice.

White organized the Colorado presidential campaign for John F. Kennedy. Kennedy appointed White deputy attorney general in 1961. A year later, Kennedy selected White for a position on the Supreme Court. He held that
position until his retirement in 1993. He returned to Colorado where he lived until his death in 2002.

Byron White was nominated as a Golden Egg by Joseph Skerjanec, Principal, Fleming School, Fleming, Colorado.

You can view more people who attended rural schools and made significant contributions to society on the Rural "World Changers" Resource Page.

Posted by Robin Lambert at 03:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The 6th Annual Rural Education Working Group Meeting opened tonight in Charleston, South Carolina.

And what a good thing it is.

The meeting, sponsored by the Rural School and Community Trust and hosted this year by the South Carolina Rural Education Grassroots Committee, brings together rural education activists from around the country to share and learn from each other.

This year there are 90 advocates for rural children and their schools who are participating. They're from as far away as Maine and South Dakota as from as close as John's Island.

We'll be learning and thinking together about what the so-called "new economy" is likely to mean for rural communities and for the education of our kids who live in rural places. And, we'll be hearing from rural advocates about how they're organizing for better funding, supporting kids who are learning English for the first time, connecting academic curriculum to local communities, getting involved with school facilities processes… We'll hear about new research and think about telling our stories.

Most of all, we'll be lifted up--by each other--and by the common values and commitments we share to protecting rural children and the communities they live in and to making sure those kids get the great education they deserve. We’ll take joy in the accomplishments of the people who are here. And we’ll bolster ourselves and each other for the struggles still ahead.

Tonight. Well, tonight, we laughed as we introduced ourselves to new acquaintances and reunited with old friends. Here are our South Carolina hosts with some special songs they performed for us.

We were moved as we learned about the Citizenship Schools that started on John's Island and undergirded the Civil Rights movement--a story new to some participants and deep in the hearts of others.

Nowhere better to be tonight.

Posted by Robin Lambert at 10:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

"World Changer" is our term for the accomplished people who come from rural communities and schools all across the country.

We have set up a forum here on Rural Matters to celebrate those people.

But we're not going to put this list together on our own. We need your help.

We're looking for people who attended rural schools in the 20th (or 21st) century and have made recognized contributions in the arts, academics, business, entertainment, government, human rights, science, technology, and other public fields.

The forum is already started. You'll find the list of people from rural communities who have made important contributions to the world on the Rural "World Changers" Resource Page (in the column on the left on the main page of Rural Matters).

With your help, we will keep building this list.

So send us more names of people from rural communities who have made significant contributions. Let us know where the person is from and something about their accomplishments and contributions.

You can email your nominations. Or you can send your nominations as a Guest Author (click on the Guest Author button in the right column of the main Rural Matters page).

As we get new rural "World Changers" we'll feature them, temporarily, on the main page of Rural Matters. And, we'll keep a permanent running list, in alphabetical order, on the Rural "World Changers" Resource Page.

We want to let everyone know how many people who have shaped the world got their start in a rural school.

This will be fun. We're looking forward to hearing from you.

Posted by Robin Lambert at 02:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

We've just posted updates on what's happening around the country as legislatures tackle school finance and education funding.

Help us keep these updates, well, up-to-date. Find your state by clicking on the state name the column on the left. Then add new information by posting a "comment" to the latest post in your state. Or, apply to be a Guest Author.

Don't see your state? Send your information here and we'll get it posted.

Want to talk about your state, but what you want to say is not related to school finance?

No problem.

Send your information here, or apply to be a Guest Author and you can post directly to Rural Matters.

Posted by Robin Lambert at 02:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Nominate your school's best rural teacher!

Here's an opporttunity from the National Rural Education Association (NREA) to showcase a committed talented teacher in your rural school.

NREA is taking nominations for 2007 National Rural Teacher of the Year. Applications are open through May 31. The winner will be recognized in November at the NREA Convention and will receive a $2,000 honorarium. The teacher’s school district will also receive $1,000 toward the purchase of school supplies and instructional materials.

Teachers do not have to be members of NREA to be nominated, but they do have to be directly involved in PreK-12 classroom instruction.

The nomination involves a questionnaire to be completed jointly by the nominator and the nominee and also a description of the candidate and letters of recommendation.

Candidates in states with an NREA State Affiliate Organization are generally nominated by the Affiliate Organization. In the absence of an NREA State Affiliate or if the State Affiliate does not nominate a teacher, any teacher from that state may be a candidate.

You can learn more about the award, which is sponsored by John Deere, and download application materials here.

Posted by Robin Lambert at 02:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Schools in Alabama may soon get some much-needed help in funding facilities, if Governor Bob Riley’s proposed $850 million bond issue is passed. A survey shows many state legislators agree that construction funding is needed, and that perhaps the amount should be even higher. Debate over how to split the money between K-12 and higher education and how to distribute funds to school districts is expected. Also, the state’s Education Trust Fund for public schools and colleges may provide as much as 7.7% in increased spending on education next year, thanks to improvement in the economy.

Posted by Robin Lambert at 02:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Legislators in Arkansas are working to ensure compliance with court orders in the Lakeview school funding case. Special masters appointed in the case are reviewing the 2006 legislative action on school funding, but are also receiving information on current proposals. The increase in student spending--$121.7 million by 2008--satisfies many of the plaintiff districts’ concerns. The state Senate has also passed legislation that would help districts with declining enrollment.

Posted by Robin Lambert at 02:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Lawmakers in Indiana have proposed a significant increase in funding for limited English proficient (LEP) programs in this year’s session. The state had previously funded LEP with a grant program that did not keep pace with growth in the number of LEP students in the state. Also, a constitutional amendment limiting judicial involvement in tax increases or in reviewing state spending plans has been proposed.

Posted by Robin Lambert at 02:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Preschool initiatives are dominating budget discussions in Minnesota, with proposals ranging from early education allowances for families to send their children to any approved program, private or public, to focused dollars to increase capacity of programs for low-income children. Another proposal has been floated that would fund family aid programs, including counseling and training.

Posted by Robin Lambert at 02:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer’s budget proposal includes increasing overall state aid to public schools, and a loan-forgiveness program for teachers in rural areas. But, another issue has become the major debate this session: full-day kindergarten. Indian education programs in the state are also under-funded in current versions of the budget.

Posted by Robin Lambert at 02:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The New Hampshire legislature is grappling with the state Supreme Court’s order to come up with an adequacy definition. A joint legislative task force has been holding hearings across the state for citizens and policymakers to weigh in, but some people are calling for defiance of the order and say it will result in higher taxes.

Posted by Robin Lambert at 01:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A House committee is proposing a 10.6% increase in New Mexico state spending for next year, but that budget is being criticized by education advocates and Governor Bill Richardson who say that it does not increase teacher salaries or expand pre-K programs sufficiently. A six-year pilot extended school year program for low-income children in grades K-3 has been passed into law and fully funded.

Posted by Robin Lambert at 01:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

North Carolina Governor Mike Easley’s proposed budget calls for increases in the state’s More at Four preschool program, raises for teachers, and online courses. It also includes increases in the Disadvantaged Student Supplemental Fund (DSSF), created largely in response to the Leandro court decision. DSSF is allocated to districts serving at-risk students defined as those from low-income families, or those who live in single-parent houses or have at least one parent with less than a high school diploma.

Posted by Robin Lambert at 01:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Rural legislators in North Dakota are calling for changes in the funding bill that is meant to settle a pending school finance suit against the state. Democrats from Wimbledon and Newberg say 57 small schools need more than what has been appropriated to keep operating. Legislators on the House Education Committee have said that to give the schools special treatment goes against principals of equity. To help with transportation, another bill would increase the per-mile payment to schools.

Posted by Robin Lambert at 01:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Discussions are heating up around a proposed constitutional amendment that would make access to a "high-quality education" a fundamental right, and give the Ohio Board of Education the power to determine the needed level of school funding to provide it. The plan would also provide partial property tax exemptions for the disabled and those over age 65 and would gradually reduce required levels of local education spending. In the two-year transition program, a 5% increase plus inflationary costs is required. Opponents of the amendment are estimating its cost to the state be at least $600.

Posted by Robin Lambert at 01:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Oregon schools Superintendent Susan Castillo is pushing for funding for all-day kindergarten. Currently only 20% of the state’s schools offer all-day kindergarten and the two-year phase-in program would cost the state $50 million. Some education policymakers oppose the funding method for this program, which would alter the basic aid formula for per-pupil allocations. Also being debated is how a student improvement fund, available for the first time in several years, should be offered to local districts—with or without strings attached.

Posted by Robin Lambert at 01:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Expansion of preschool for four-year-olds is gaining traction in the legislature, with a House education committee approving programs that would serve all Medicaid or free and reduced-price lunch eligible four-year-olds in the state. Last year’s pilot program was focused on serving the plaintiff districts that sued the state over adequate funding. The judge ruled that the state was not doing enough in early education to serve poor and rural students.

Posted by Robin Lambert at 01:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Lawmakers, working in the shadow of a current school funding lawsuit in South Dakota, were unable to reach agreement to change the index factor in the state funding formula. The proposed change, from 3% to 4.3%, would have raised the required increase in state aid to schools each year. That measure failed and the net increase to schools will be even less than 3% because the small school factor was frozen at this year’s level, and some one-time pots of money were not renewed. The package does include positive changes for schools with declining enrollments.

Posted by Robin Lambert at 01:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Green Mountain state legislators’ proposals reflect the ongoing pressure in the state to cut education spending and reduce property taxes. Vermont lawmakers are aiming to stop school districts from spending over the statewide average and have also pushed district consolidation as a cost-saving measure, though they have not spelled out how those savings would occur. Supporters of schools’ current governance structure point to the fact that local school budgets were overwhelmingly approved by voters during the state’s local town meeting process as evidence that the current structure works well and enjoys the support of local school constituents.

Posted by Robin Lambert at 01:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This legislative session in West Virginia has been dominated by a debate over teacher pay increases, and teachers in some districts staged a walkout, causing some school cancellations. Teacher organizations had pushed for a 6% raise, but the legislature only approved 3.5%. According to the West Virginia Education Association, West Virginia teacher salaries rank 47th lowest in the nation.

Posted by Robin Lambert at 01:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)