John White
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jlwcomms.bsky.social
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.
Reposted by John White
@mdrc-news.bsky.social's National Rural Higher Ed Research Center to host inaugural Rural Research Mentorship Network cohort, offering opportunities to grad students and early-career researchers interested in conducting #ruraled research. $1000 honorarium. mdrcfed.gov1.qualtrics.com/CP/File.php?...
mdrcfed.gov1.qualtrics.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Many high school seniors are preparing for graduation and are in the midst of the college application process. Why are rural students the least likely to go to college? Professor
Sheneka Williams, who graduated from a small, rural high school in Alabama, explains. phys.org/news/2025-12...
Rural high school students are more likely than city kids to get their diplomas, less likely to go to college
Many high school seniors are currently in the midst of the college application process or are already waiting to hear back from their selected schools.
phys.org
December 1, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Microsoft is funding a project to build tailored roadmaps for integrating artificial intelligence in rural #K12 and small-town school districts across three northwestern states tinyurl.com/3pz8dh23 #AI
University Researchers to Create AI Strategy for Rural Schools
Microsoft will provide $82,500 in grant money to assistant professors at Washington State University, to support them in developing an AI integration road map for rural K-12 schools in three northwest...
tinyurl.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Here's a "Reporting Guide" for covering rural college students by @EdWriters. After reading, suggest additional story ideas ewa.org/educated-rep...
What Are the Hurdles to Higher Education for Rural Students?
Rural students in college may be older, have children or existing jobs. Learn about their pathways to higher education.
ewa.org
November 11, 2025 at 4:03 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
‘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
Reposted by John White
Thanks, Hope Reese, for doing such a meaningful interview for Greater Good!
October 23, 2025 at 8:50 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
September 20, 2025 at 5:17 PM
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
September 17, 2025 at 10:00 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...
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
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.
August 13, 2025 at 2:06 PM
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
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
"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
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
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
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
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