Small Districts Overlooked by Class Size Initiative - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

School Administrator, Feb, 2000 by Kari Arfstrom

The Rural Education Initiative passed the House of Representatives last October with bipartisan support. We are hopeful the Senate will do likewise this year. Congress needs to hear from local superintendents on all education issues, but particularly from rural, small school leaders on this issue.

One size does not fit all. We know some programs work better in urban and suburban areas. Some programs will work better in rural communities. School leaders should have the options of deciding how federal dollars should be spent, not just accepting what is handed to them.

Kari Arfstrom is director of special projects in the public affairs department at AASA.