AIRSS News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Springfield, IL – Since its formation in August 2022, the Rural Education Advisory Council (REAC) has focused their efforts on creating a rural definition for Illinois. At their May 13, 2026, Board meeting, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) voted to adopt this definition. The following criteria now define a rural […]

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 program now in its second year. The following three finalists are awarded the 2026 Teacher of Distinction title, and our winner will be selected from these outstanding educators. Thank you

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 by fighting further for the accuracy of this eligibility list.

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. Building on the energy of the January launch, students from our partner schools gathered once again to explore the diverse and rewarding world of education. The event was hosted by

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 of the Regional Rural Future Teacher Club, marking a significant milestone in how our community cultivates the next generation of educators. This initiative is made possible by the CTE Education

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 the first one catered to the rural and small school perspective. If you are a rural educator, administrator, or CTE director, this event is designed for you! For our first

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 the House and Senate. The bill was introduced earlier this year with the goal of extending the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000. Originally introduced in Congress