Rural Schools

We're speaking up for our students and public schools. Visit our Action Center to find out what you can do.

By: National Education Association

Published: March 4, 2025

Twenty percent of American students attend schools in rural areas. More than 7 million students are enrolled in rural school districts; an additional 2.5 million attend rural schools in districts that are not designated “rural” by the Census Bureau.

Federal laws such as the Secure Rural Schools program and the Rural Education Achievement Program provide critical support for many of the more than 7,700 rural school districts; these programs must be sustained.

Our nation thrives when all students, regardless of zip code, achieve and succeed. Policy makers should do more to ensure that all students in rural communities receive a well-rounded public education.

Secure Rural Schools Program

The Secure Rural Schools program (SRS program) was created to support communities in counties with National Forestland due to the lower tax base that in turn supports public services. Many rural public schools in these forested counties depended heavily on the SRS program to support public services and opportunities for their students.
These funds are vital not only for public schools and libraries but for other public services in rural communities, especially after wildfires, damaging storms, flooding, and other natural disasters.
More than 725 counties in 41 states and Puerto Rico receive support from this critical program.

Rural Education Achievement Program

The Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP) was created to address the unique needs of rural public schools, students, and educators. REAP provides two grant programs: one that makes awards to rural local educational agencies that serve a small number of students, and another that awards grants to rural local educational agencies with high concentrations of low-income students (regardless of size).
To be eligible for this program the LEA must be recognized as rural through the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in the U.S. Department of Education.

Learn NEA's position on pending legislation related to public education, and take action to protect our schools

Support

S 5608 Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2026 www.congress.gov

Introduced on September 30, 2026

The bill would reauthorize the U.S. Forest Service’s Secure Rural Schools and Self-Determination Program (SRS) program through fiscal year (FY) 2029 and provide funding for public schools, libraries, and other public services in the over 700 counties home to National Forests. Under this bill, counties would receive their final authorization payment in early 2030.
Support

S 3385 Lower Health Care Costs Act www.congress.gov

Introduced on December 8, 2025

This bill would provide a three-year extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies to preserve access to health care for over 20 million Americans—entrepreneurs, self-employed contractors, and part-time workers whose employers don’t offer or help pay for insurance.

Most Recent Letter:

VOTE YES on the Lower Health Care Costs Act (S. 3385)
Oppose

S 3386 Health Care Freedom for Patients Act www.congress.gov

Introduced on December 8, 2025

This bill is built around health savings accounts and high-deductible insurance—an approach that has been repeatedly rejected as unaffordable for working families—to provide access to healthcare.

Most Recent Letter:

VOTE YES on the Lower Health Care Costs Act (S. 3385)

See all Rural Schools Bills in Congress

We're speaking up for our students and public schools. Visit our Action Center to find out what you can do.

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Rural Schools

Secure Rural Schools Program

Rural Education Achievement Program

References

Great public schools for every student

Suggested Results

Rural Schools

Secure Rural Schools Program

Rural Education Achievement Program

Bills in Congress

S 5608 Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2026 www.congress.gov

S 3385 Lower Health Care Costs Act www.congress.gov

S 3386 Health Care Freedom for Patients Act www.congress.gov

Letters & Testimony

Don’t Move Education Programs

VOTE YES on the Lower Health Care Costs Act (S. 3385)

VOTE NO on CRA resolution to end hotspot program

References

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