Austin Peay State University to host fourth annual Rural Education Conference

Photo byLeaf Chronicle

CLARKSVILLE, TN – Tennessee’s rural education stakeholders are one of several groups invited to attend a conference to address the barriers faced by school children in rural communities. Austin Peay State University will host its Fourth Annual Rural Education Conference on March 19, 2024. The theme chosen for this year's gathering is "Innovating the Rural Experience: Growing Students Leaders, Pioneering Teacher Ed Initiatives and Enhancing Community Partnerships."

“I’m a product of rural education in my school years and in my higher ed education years. So, I understand the importance of engaging communities,” Dr. Cheryl Lambert, Austin Peay State University Center for Rural Education Coordinator, shares. “Policymakers need to keep in mind how important our rural students are, and our rural teachers and our rural administrators.”

Studies show children receiving a public school education in rural communities are 22 percent more likely to experience poverty. Job security after high school graduation is also a factor as rural communities do not have as many options. Internet access is a major issue for rural areas as well. 

“We have a lot of positives to look at when we investigate rural education. And we want to highlight those positive aspects of rural education while also addressing the challenges,” Dr. Lambert says of this year’s Rural Education Conference. 

“As we address the use of IE and technology in rural schools, we’re very aware of the limited broadband access in rural schools as well. So we will highlight that and bring that to the forefront as a need for rural educators.”

Rural education has seemingly been on the backburner in legislation. A study released in 2019 by the University of West Alabama (UWA) found 57 percent of policy insiders felt rural education was not important to the U.S. Department of Education. Dr. Lambert plans to change the scope by shedding light on rural education in Tennessee. 

“I wanted to not overlook the needs and the challenges, but also highlight the benefits and the successes of our rural schools,” she says. “So I think it’s important for policymakers to pay attention to what’s happening in rural Tennessee, and make sure that those efforts are not neglected.”