John White
@jlwcomms.bsky.social
Former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Rural Outreach at the U.S. Department of Education sharing news and information about education, schools, colleges/universities, and nonprofits, particularly in rural areas.
The shutdown may contribute to food insecurity and a lack of #childcare for many parents, particularly in rural areas where options are already limited, reports @casamuels.bsky.social @hechingerreport.org tinyurl.com/azre6nez
‘The clock is ticking’: Shutdown imperils food, child care for many - The Hechinger Report
The federally funded Head Start provides free preschool and child care for low-income families, and is particularly important to rural communities with few other child care options.
tinyurl.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:56 PM
The shutdown may contribute to food insecurity and a lack of #childcare for many parents, particularly in rural areas where options are already limited, reports @casamuels.bsky.social @hechingerreport.org tinyurl.com/azre6nez
Reposted by John White
Thanks, Hope Reese, for doing such a meaningful interview for Greater Good!
According to Beth Macy's new memoir, inequalities in rural education may be contributing to our political polarization greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item... @bethmacy.bsky.social #goodread
Why Well-Being Is Falling in Rural America
According to a new memoir, inequalities in rural education may be contributing to the political polarization in the United States.
greatergood.berkeley.edu
October 23, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Thanks, Hope Reese, for doing such a meaningful interview for Greater Good!
According to Beth Macy's new memoir, inequalities in rural education may be contributing to our political polarization greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item... @bethmacy.bsky.social #goodread
Why Well-Being Is Falling in Rural America
According to a new memoir, inequalities in rural education may be contributing to the political polarization in the United States.
greatergood.berkeley.edu
October 23, 2025 at 6:57 PM
According to Beth Macy's new memoir, inequalities in rural education may be contributing to our political polarization greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item... @bethmacy.bsky.social #goodread
I learned this week that all staff members who administered the Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP) were let go at the US Department of Education, what's left of it.
October 17, 2025 at 1:57 PM
I learned this week that all staff members who administered the Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP) were let go at the US Department of Education, what's left of it.
Plans to change H-1B visas are a blow to some rural districts’ strategies to keep teachers in classrooms www.wliw.org/radio/news/m...
Many rural schools rely on international teachers. Trump's visa changes threaten that | News | WLIW-FM
The Trump administration announced a $100k fine to accompany each H1-B visa, the fine could wreak havoc on rural school districts who rely on them to bring in teachers.
www.wliw.org
October 15, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Plans to change H-1B visas are a blow to some rural districts’ strategies to keep teachers in classrooms www.wliw.org/radio/news/m...
The Endeavor Lab Colleges (ELC) are scaling a new model for liberal arts education centered on student mental health and well-being to enhance academic learning and the campus experience. Six of the 10 small liberal arts colleges are rural-serving institutions tinyurl.com/3j5atnyc
Scaling Rural Wellness with Clever Collaboration | The Daily Yonder
From hive minds to climbing gyms, 10 small rural colleges share mental health insights through Endeavor Lab Colleges.
tinyurl.com
October 14, 2025 at 8:34 PM
The Endeavor Lab Colleges (ELC) are scaling a new model for liberal arts education centered on student mental health and well-being to enhance academic learning and the campus experience. Six of the 10 small liberal arts colleges are rural-serving institutions tinyurl.com/3j5atnyc
Read about the critical role the Head Start plays in rural communities. The longer a shutdown continues, the more likely it is that Head Start programs could see a disruption.
hechingerreport.org/rural-americ... #ECE
hechingerreport.org/rural-americ... #ECE
Rural Ohio relies on Head Start. Trump is worrying people in the region who need this free child care
Close to half of its seats in this federally funded free program are located in areas outside towns and cities. But federal staff cuts and funding showdowns may hurt some of the same voters in rural a...
hechingerreport.org
October 1, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Read about the critical role the Head Start plays in rural communities. The longer a shutdown continues, the more likely it is that Head Start programs could see a disruption.
hechingerreport.org/rural-americ... #ECE
hechingerreport.org/rural-americ... #ECE
I look forward to seeing you in Salt Lake!
✅ Are you a rural educator—or passionate about #RuralEd?
✅ Want the latest research, insights & best practices?
✅ Ready to connect with peers nationwide?
If yes, join us Oct 13–15, 2025 in Salt Lake City for the #RuralEdForum.
🎟️ Register →www.nrea.net/nfare
✅ Want the latest research, insights & best practices?
✅ Ready to connect with peers nationwide?
If yes, join us Oct 13–15, 2025 in Salt Lake City for the #RuralEdForum.
🎟️ Register →www.nrea.net/nfare
September 20, 2025 at 5:17 PM
I look forward to seeing you in Salt Lake!
Reposted by John White
AI IN ACTION: We’re excited to introduce this half-day experience, included with your 2025 #RuralEdForum registration!
Whether you’re just starting with AI or ready to go deeper, this summit offers real tools, real voices, real value.
Register now: www.nrea.net/nfare
Whether you’re just starting with AI or ready to go deeper, this summit offers real tools, real voices, real value.
Register now: www.nrea.net/nfare
September 17, 2025 at 10:00 PM
AI IN ACTION: We’re excited to introduce this half-day experience, included with your 2025 #RuralEdForum registration!
Whether you’re just starting with AI or ready to go deeper, this summit offers real tools, real voices, real value.
Register now: www.nrea.net/nfare
Whether you’re just starting with AI or ready to go deeper, this summit offers real tools, real voices, real value.
Register now: www.nrea.net/nfare
After growing frustrated with “urban-normative” policy assumptions that rarely applied in the settings she knew, Roberts responded to others’ encouragement to “go fix it.” news.clemson.edu/nationally-r...
Nationally recognized rural education researcher joins College of Education faculty
J. Kessa Roberts joins Clemson University faculty this fall, bringing with her an extensive background in rural education research.
news.clemson.edu
September 20, 2025 at 5:12 PM
After growing frustrated with “urban-normative” policy assumptions that rarely applied in the settings she knew, Roberts responded to others’ encouragement to “go fix it.” news.clemson.edu/nationally-r...
Why disconnect students from school bus Wi-Fi? www.k12dive.com/news/fcc-era...
FCC proposal would disconnect school bus Wi-Fi, hotspots from E-rate coverage
Schools and districts have requested millions of dollars in FY 25 for these services, which were made eligible under a Biden-era expansion.
www.k12dive.com
September 8, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Why disconnect students from school bus Wi-Fi? www.k12dive.com/news/fcc-era...
Reposted by John White
Register now for Rural Assembly Everywhere, a virtual gathering of the Rural Assembly, on Sept 17 @ 1 PM ET. This event brings together people from across the country who care deeply about their rural places, neighbors, and community issues.
Learn more & register: www.ruralassembly.org/everywhere.
Learn more & register: www.ruralassembly.org/everywhere.
August 13, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Register now for Rural Assembly Everywhere, a virtual gathering of the Rural Assembly, on Sept 17 @ 1 PM ET. This event brings together people from across the country who care deeply about their rural places, neighbors, and community issues.
Learn more & register: www.ruralassembly.org/everywhere.
Learn more & register: www.ruralassembly.org/everywhere.
Innovation is what rural people do to help their families, friends, and communities. tinyurl.com/383n8m54
An engineer restores pay phones for free public use
In a rural Vermont county, spotty cellphone coverage is the norm. But a local tinkerer is using old technology to help his community stay connected free of charge.
tinyurl.com
August 12, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Innovation is what rural people do to help their families, friends, and communities. tinyurl.com/383n8m54
Insightful Q&A on "elite" college experiences as a first-generation, rural student. It would be great to see a similar article on public university and college experiences where more rural students enroll dailyyonder.com/qa-college-a...
Q&A: College as a First-Generation, Rural Student | The Daily Yonder
Editor’s Note: This interview first appeared in Path Finders, an email newsletter from the Daily Yonder. Each week, Path Finders features a Q&A with a
dailyyonder.com
August 6, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Insightful Q&A on "elite" college experiences as a first-generation, rural student. It would be great to see a similar article on public university and college experiences where more rural students enroll dailyyonder.com/qa-college-a...
"Because of their heavy reliance on state and federal funding, rural schools are disproportionately impacted by the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce federal funding for public education" www.k12dive.com/news/trumps-... via @K12DiveNews
Trump’s FY 26 budget plan would worsen rural schools’ challenges, analysis finds
Lower funding would exacerbate issues including teacher recruitment and lack of access to advanced classes, the Center for American Progress finds.
www.k12dive.com
July 18, 2025 at 4:47 PM
"Because of their heavy reliance on state and federal funding, rural schools are disproportionately impacted by the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce federal funding for public education" www.k12dive.com/news/trumps-... via @K12DiveNews
The @aascu.org's Chuck Welch examines "The Big Beautiful Bill" and student visa crackdowns. mile-markers.beehiiv.com/p/how-trump-...
How Trump's Policies are Impacting Rural Colleges
The AASCU's Chuck Welch examines "The Big Beautiful Bill" and student visa crackdowns.
mile-markers.beehiiv.com
July 11, 2025 at 4:20 PM
The @aascu.org's Chuck Welch examines "The Big Beautiful Bill" and student visa crackdowns. mile-markers.beehiiv.com/p/how-trump-...
Reposted by John White
With many national parks facing huge backlogs of deferred maintenance — Yellowstone alone is estimated at more than $1 billion — the federal government is proposing a new fee on foreign visitors to address some of the shortfall, report @dailymontanan.com and @statesnewsroom.com
Proposed international surcharge at National Parks could generate millions in 2026 • Daily Montanan
A new model that has been adopted for national parks by the Trump administration would raise visitors fees to pay for a maintenance backlog.
buff.ly
July 2, 2025 at 8:02 PM
With many national parks facing huge backlogs of deferred maintenance — Yellowstone alone is estimated at more than $1 billion — the federal government is proposing a new fee on foreign visitors to address some of the shortfall, report @dailymontanan.com and @statesnewsroom.com
A new initiative spearheaded by @luminafoundation.bsky.social aims to help rural and semi-rural community colleges reach and enroll more adult learners www.ccdaily.com/2025/06/lumi...
Lumina aims to help rural colleges reach adult learners - Community College Daily
A new initiative spearheaded by Lumina Foundation aims to help rural and semi-rural community colleges reach and enroll more adult learners. Lumina is working with CollegeAPP and StrategyForward Advis...
www.ccdaily.com
July 2, 2025 at 7:27 PM
A new initiative spearheaded by @luminafoundation.bsky.social aims to help rural and semi-rural community colleges reach and enroll more adult learners www.ccdaily.com/2025/06/lumi...
It signals that a school district or government doesn’t believe these students are worthy of protection tinyurl.com/nedh5uz7 via @chalkbeat.org
A Colorado district looks to remove LGBTQ policy protections amid Trump’s funding threats
The Montezuma-Cortez district in southwestern Colorado is poised to remove protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity from its nondiscrimination policy.
tinyurl.com
June 16, 2025 at 3:27 PM
It signals that a school district or government doesn’t believe these students are worthy of protection tinyurl.com/nedh5uz7 via @chalkbeat.org
This is not helpful for rural students, particularly girls www.chalkbeat.org/2025/06/10/t... #STEM
‘We just went to zero.’ National Science Foundation cuts hit STEM education research hard.
Researchers and educators worry the sweeping cuts to education research at the National Science Foundation will limit opportunities for girls and students of color to pursue STEM careers.
www.chalkbeat.org
June 11, 2025 at 9:27 PM
This is not helpful for rural students, particularly girls www.chalkbeat.org/2025/06/10/t... #STEM
Clean energy is creating new jobs in rural America hechingerreport.org/in-south-dak...
In South Dakota, colleges partner with clean energy industry to meet growing demand for workers
Strong partnerships among technical colleges, employers and a state scholarship program have built pathways to clean energy jobs in the state, where roughly 77 percent of power comes from non-fossil f...
hechingerreport.org
May 27, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Clean energy is creating new jobs in rural America hechingerreport.org/in-south-dak...
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory program will begin connecting rural schools to high-quality, hands-on astronomy opportunities this fall tinyurl.com/56f6rxk7 #STEM
Reach for the STARS: Smithsonian program brings telescopes, STEM opportunities to rural schools
The donor-funded initiative aims to bridge resource gaps in rural communities and will launch this fall in Arizona before expanding to other states.
tinyurl.com
May 21, 2025 at 8:56 PM
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory program will begin connecting rural schools to high-quality, hands-on astronomy opportunities this fall tinyurl.com/56f6rxk7 #STEM
Potential cuts to statewide library services in Michigan come as the number of school librarians in the state is dwindling and gaps in student literacy achievement are widening. It's probably happening in many other states as well. www.chalkbeat.org/detroit/2025...
Proposed federal cuts threaten Michigan library services essential to K-12 students
As the state attempts to tackle its literacy woes, these cuts would threaten early literacy programs in local libraries.
www.chalkbeat.org
May 14, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Potential cuts to statewide library services in Michigan come as the number of school librarians in the state is dwindling and gaps in student literacy achievement are widening. It's probably happening in many other states as well. www.chalkbeat.org/detroit/2025...
The transition from rural Wisconsin to Georgetown University in Washington, DC, had challenges, but she doesn't want to leave her home behind. Instead, she wants to serve her rural community and see it thrive. It’s her home tinyurl.com/4vte6ta8 #goodread
She Was Told to Leave Rural America to Succeed. Now, This Senior Wants to Help Rural Communities Thrive. - Georgetown University
Lisa Kennedy grew up hearing that there was no value in rural America. As a soon-to-be alumna, she's on a mission to change the narrative.
tinyurl.com
May 14, 2025 at 3:21 PM
The transition from rural Wisconsin to Georgetown University in Washington, DC, had challenges, but she doesn't want to leave her home behind. Instead, she wants to serve her rural community and see it thrive. It’s her home tinyurl.com/4vte6ta8 #goodread
A growing number of states are considering or have allowed community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees to fill a void and train workers in so-called rural #highered deserts hechingerreport.org/to-fill-educ... #collegeaccess
To fill “education deserts,” some states want community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees
To fill higher education deserts, several states are proposing letting community colleges offer bachelor’s degrees.
hechingerreport.org
May 13, 2025 at 9:31 PM
A growing number of states are considering or have allowed community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees to fill a void and train workers in so-called rural #highered deserts hechingerreport.org/to-fill-educ... #collegeaccess