ISBE Votes to Adopt Rural Definition Proposed by the Rural Education Advisory Council
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Springfield, IL – Since its formation in August 2022, the Rural Education Advisory Council (REAC) has focused their efforts on creating a [...]
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Rural PreK-12 Partnership Spotlights from OPTERRA
Your focus has always been on what matters most — educating students. But while you’ve worked tirelessly to support learning, facility needs may have slipped [...]
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Meet the 2026 Illinois Rural Teachers of Distinction
The Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools once again received several outstanding applications for our Illinois Rural Teacher of the Year Award, a recognition [...]
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Building a More Equitable and Connected Dual Credit CTE System in Illinois
Executive Summary Illinois’ community college systems play a vital role in providing access to affordable post-secondary education and workforce training. In rural areas, these institutions [...]
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2026 REAP Eligibility Sheet Available: Check For Your District Now
AIRSS has continued to fight for the necessity of REAP funding at the federal level, and we remain committed to your students, staff, and schools [...]
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Spring 2026 Issue of The Prairie Career Advocate
Bureau Valley CUSD #340: Investing in Rural Career Pathways
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Regional Rural Future Teachers’ Club Continues Momentum with Second Spring Event
The journey toward the classroom continued on March 10th as the Regional Rural Future Teachers’ Club held the second of its three scheduled spring events. [...]
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Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools Completes Most Detailed Career Education Report To-Date: Finds Rural Problems, Perseverance, and Hope
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MACOMB, IL, FEBRUARY 2026 – The Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools (AIRSS) has completed a third statewide assessment of rural [...]
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First Regional Rural Future Teacher Club Event
The future of our local rural classrooms just got a little brighter! On January 29th, students from across the region gathered for the inaugural meeting [...]
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Join Us for the First-Ever Rural Education Conference in Illinois!
Exploring Student Career SuccessApril 17, 2026Richland Community College (Decatur, IL)Virtual Option Available While there are a lot of education conferences in Illinois, our event is [...]
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Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025 Becomes Law
President Trump signed H.R. 1383, the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025, into law on December 22, 2025, after bipartisan support moved it through [...]
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Driving Equity: Understanding and Addressing Transportation Barriers in Rural Illinois
For rural districts in Illinois, transportation remains one of the most expensive and logistically complex responsibilities.
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AIRSS Welcomes New Partner, OneGoal
Thank you to OneGoal for your support of our mission to advocate and be the VOICE of Illinois rural and small schools! The Association of [...]
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Growing Rural Computer Science Lessons through Ag Education
Rural and small school districts have an incredible opportunity to leverage their agriculture classes to offer invaluable career skill development for all students. The Association [...]
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Winter 2025 Issue of The Prairie Career Advocate
Bureau Valley CUSD #340: Investing in Rural Career Pathways
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