WASHINGTON — Yesterday, the United States Congress passed the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act, renewing critical funding to supports rural counties with school resources, road maintenance, wildfire mitigation, public safety, and other essential community needs.
Rural schools educate 20 percent of America’s public school students – more than 7 million students in rural districts, plus another 2.5 million attending rural schools in districts not designated “rural” by the Census Bureau. These schools are not just places for students to learn – they are central to rural communities, providing places for educators, students, parents, and neighbors to gather and form community. With this reauthorization, counties will again be able to invest these funds to strengthen their schools.
“Every student in this country, regardless of ZIP code, should have access to strong opportunities and adequate resources,” said Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association.
Congress has consistently renewed the Secure Rural Schools Act with overwhelming bipartisan support, though the most recent reauthorization expired at the end of Fiscal Year 2023. The Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act will fund the program through Fiscal Year 2026.
“Our kids deserve rich and varied curricula. They need science labs and music. They need sports and art. And in a nation where one in five public school students attend a rural school, we need the Secure Rural Schools Act to ensure every public school student has what they need to learn and thrive,” Pringle continued.
The national educator shortage is especially acute in rural communities, where salaries and working conditions often make it difficult to recruit and retain teachers, education support professionals, and other school staff. Rural school districts are often the largest employer in their communities, so educator shortages and any funding shortages have a disproportionate impact on the local economy in rural areas. The Secure Rural Schools Act helps counties strengthen their entire school ecosystem, including educators and the surrounding community infrastructure.
“I am thankful to every Member of Congress who stood up for America’s students and educators and championed this critical legislation. The bipartisan support – which will be needed again next year – will result in direct support to providing students, regardless of where they live, a well-rounded and robust education that inspires them, sparks their curiosity, and prepares them for the future,” said Pringle.
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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest labor union, representing nearly 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, health care workers, and public employees. Learn more at www.nea.org.
