The Illinois Report Card is an annual report released by the Illinois State Board of Education, detailing how schools, districts, and the state as a whole are performing. Schools in the state are ranked in the following categories each year: We are excited to share that 133 rural schools received the designation of “Exemplary School” […]
Rural teachers need to be elevated and celebrated. For all the conversations and challenges we hear about our public education system, it is all too easy to forget that behind it all are living, breathing, thinking, feeling professionals that desire to love our children into becoming the best versions of themselves possible. For this reason,
Introducing the 2025 Illinois Rural Teacher of the Year: Dee Rose, Shawnee CUSD #84 Read More »
MACOMB, IL –The National Rural Education Association (NREA) recently launched the 2025 Why Rural Matters report, a project with a more than 20-year history of shaping the conversation about rural education. First conceptualized by the Rural Schools and Community Trust, the report has evolved into a vital resource for policymakers, educators, and communities. Why Rural
The AIRSS team looks forward to seeing you at this year’s Joint Annual Conference! We have several sessions featuring AIRSS leadership, including the return of our Coffee & Conversation on Sunday. Make sure to add these sessions to your schedule, and don’t forget to visit us at Booth 127 in the Exhibitor Hall. Learn more
Support Rural Sessions at the 2025 Joint Annual Conference in Chicago Read More »
After an exciting first year, the AIRSS team is proud to launch the second volume ofThe Prairie Career Advocate. This storytelling effort is part of the Rural IL CTE Project that AIRSS and the Illinois State Board of Education began in 2023. The first issue of this new volume features Stillman Valley High School (Meridian
Fall 2025 Issue of The Prairie Career Advocate Read More »
AIRSS is dedicated to advancing education for rural students, and supporting Career and Technical Education (CTE) has become a main focus in that goal; our work surrounding CTE programming has grown significantly over the past two years through our Rural IL CTE Project. As well, we are adamant about finding solutions to the rural teacher
AIRSS Receives Career Pathway Grant in Partnership with WACS, ROE26, ISBE Read More »
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 1, 2025 Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools Announces Premier Sponsorship with OPTERRA to Support Rural School Infrastructure and Facilities Modernization Springfield, IL – The Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools (AIRSS), representing more than 500 member districts statewide, is proud to announce a new Premier Annual Sponsorship with OPTERRA
Partnering to Power Progress Across Illinois Rural & Small Schools: AIRSS + OPTERRA Read More »
The Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools is excited to welcome Karli Strom to our work as an Assistant Director reviewing Career and Technical Education. Karli was born and raised in rural Warren County. Growing up in and around rural Illinois, she saw both the challenges and the incredible resilience that define them, and
Introducing Karli Strom Read More »
Career and Technical Education (CTE) has strong potential in rural schools to serve as a student empowerment and community revitalization powerhouse. Because of their embeddedness, rural schools have long been the foundation of their local economy and society, and CTE offers a direct tie that links school to community through student professional development. Despite this
The AIRSS team is proud to present the fourth issue of our new digital publication, The Prairie Career Advocate. This storytelling effort is part of the Rural IL CTE Project that AIRSS and the Illinois State Board of Education began in 2023. We encourage you to read the issue below, featuring Flora CUSD #35, to
Summer 2025 Issue of The Prairie Career Advocate Read More »
