Rural Education and Community Development

Collaboration

Problems Facing Rural Schools and Communities

SCHOOLS• Declining enrollment• Student engagement• Prepare for college and

never come back• Prepare for 21st century

careers– Health sciences– Construction– Entrepreneurship– Community service

• Learning by doing rather than sit and git

COMMUNITY• Declining population• Community engagement• Leave for college and never

come back• Need jobs that pay a decent

salary– Health care– Housing– New businesses– Grocery store

• People making the community better

Attracting new residents

• Will my kids blossom and thrive in the schools?

• Is there a vibrant community where we will feel comfortable as residents?

Rural Community Development

21st Century Marketing

Learning By Doing Experiences

Learning By Doing Experiences

PBLRural LifeGrocery StoreEntrepreneurshipConstructionHealth SciencesMarketingVR programmingSports WebcastsEtc. etc.

Mastery of academic standards in real word context

Make our schools remarkable to attract new families

Rural Community Development

Community Development AcademyK-State and USDA

Make our communities remarkable to attract new families

Kids as team membersKids actively involved in community development activities

21st Century Marketing

Social MediaSEO

Create the conditions necessary for families to learn about our schools and communities!

Website Grader

Students as internet marketers

Rural Community Development

21st Century Marketing

Learning By Doing Experiences

Attracting new residents

• Will my kids blossom and thrive in the schools?

• Is there a vibrant community where we will feel comfortable as residents?

RECDC

• To collaborate on the development of educational programs that are:– “learning by doing” experiences, – which allow students to master academic

standards in a real world context, and – which enhance and contribute to the

development of rural communities.

The vision …

• Kids authentically engaged in real world learning experiences

• The community has come together making dramatic strides in community development

• The marketing plans are regularly attracting new residents …

Erie NickersonOtis

BisonStafford

Pretty Prairie

Newton

Entrepreneurship Yes

Construction Yes

Health Science Yes

Grocery Store ?

Rural Life Yes

Community Development

Learning By Doing

PBL Yes

Performance Grades

Yes

Community Marketing

Resources

• Youth Entrepreneurs of Kansas• Interfaith Housing• Rural Grocery Initiative• Community Development Academy• Kansas Sampler Foundation• Kansas Independent Telephone Association• JDL Horizons - Eduvision.tv

Next Step: Involve Community Leaders … 12/16/2010