Welcome to the next issue 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 second issue of the second volume features Bureau Valley CUSD #340.
Read the full story to learn more about the successes of their CTE programming and how your district could potentially start a similar program in your community. The links in the document will work if it is downloaded to a computer; otherwise you can find them at the bottom of this page. You may download the PDF by clicking the three dots on the bottom right of the menu, then clicking “Download.”
If you have any questions or comments about the Advocate, please contact Karli Strom, Lead Editor and Rural IL CTE Project Assistant Director, at kstrom@roe26.net.
December 8th-14th is Computer Science Education Week!
Learning Blade is helping educators celebrate that without the stress of lesson planning. They’ve created completed computer science education lesson plans, making it easy and fun to bring coding and technology into any class. Learning Blade is a free resource in Illinois! Check out the lesson plans and get started today.
Kids, County Roads, and a Promise Kept: Why Secure Rural Schools Can’t Lapse
For many rural schools and forest-counties, federal Secure Rural Schools (SRS) funding is the difference between keeping a welding program operating or running a full bus route. Recently a group of FFA students from 11 different states visited Capitol Hill to advocate for the passage of the bill to expand upon the previous “Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000. This feature explores why the SRS exists, what would happen if it lapses, and how students are stepping up to remind Washington that rural schools deserve stability
Middle School CTE: Foundation for Lifelong Learning
At its core, CTE is about exploration, problem-solving, and building skills that grow with students over time. Starting in middle school, these experiences can nurture curiosity, challenge stereotypes, and plant the seeds of adaptability that today’s rapidly changing world demands. CTE isn’t just about preparing students for the future workforce, but creating a foundation of lifelong learning and skills for their future.
Student-Led STEM and Rural School Success: Mohave Valley’s Innovation Lab
When you live in a rural area, creative thinking comes with the territory. Rural schools are resourceful and seek opportunities for growth, even when funding is low or nonexistent. At Mohave Valley School District in rural Arizona, that resourcefulness has turned into improved attendance rates, better grades, and higher enrollment through their Innovation Lab project.
Transforming Rural Education: A New Vision for Career Success
At the Fairfield Career and Technology Center in South Carolina, rural career education programming was strategically realigned to serve the fields that are currently in high demand, moving away from outdated ideas of CTE preparation. New partnerships offer extensive career exploration and job shadowing, successfully preparing students for dynamic careers and building a qualified talent pipeline to strengthen the local economy.
What Makes Some CTE Programs Great While Others Fall Short?
In rural and small districts, CTE has become more than just an elective, it’s essential for students seeking clear, local pathways into the workforce. As interest grows, this article highlights that strong CTE programs don’t happen by accident. Impactful CTE programs are built from thoughtful course curriculum, strong partnerships, and hands-on work-based learning experiences. Understanding what makes CTE truly effective is the first step toward expanding opportunities at home.
In Case You Missed It…
The Rural IL CTE Project is proud to announce that our second full annual research report is published! This expands and deepens the findings from the initial report in 2024. The report serves as an addendum providing additional perspectives and context for the findings of the original report. Most importantly this second report shares data from a survey sent to all rural and small schools, as well as targeted white papers on key rural CTE topics.
Rural IL CTE Project Portal
Visit the Rural IL CTE Project Portal for the latest tools, tips, guides, and resources your rural CTE program needs! From research, case studies, an asset map, and more, we’re working to provide you with everything you need to grow and sustain an exemplary program for students. The Portal is updated regularly with new content, and any suggestions and criticisms are welcome.
The links on this page, and throughout the Advocate, are active and clickable when viewed in the original PDF format.