Challenges in Rural Education and How to Address Them by Laney

Challenges in Rural Education and How to Address Them by Laney - September 2025 Scholarship Essay

Rural education in the United States currently faces many unique challenges that differ in scale and scope from urban and suburban settings. These challenges are often overlooked during national discussions on academic equity. As someone who grew up and went to school in a rural community, I have seen firsthand some of the struggles many schools are currently facing. While rural communities make up a significant portion of the American public school system, students in these areas face systemic barriers that hinder their academic success. From teacher shortages and underfunded schools to poor internet access and limited resources, the rural education system needs targeted reform and investment. Within the next ten years, I hope that rural schools will get the help and recognition they deserve.

One of the most pressing issues in rural education is the shortage of qualified, caring teachers. The remote location, lower salaries, and limited housing options make it difficult to recruit and retain experienced educators. As a result, rural students may miss out on critical coursework like Advanced Placement (AP) classes or specialized subjects such as computer science or foreign languages. Additionally, because rural schools often have a small student population, they tend to offer fewer elective and extracurricular programs compared to their urban counterparts.

Funding is another significant concern. Rural school districts rely heavily on local taxes, which generate less revenue in sparsely populated areas. This can lead to outdated textbooks, inadequate science labs, and aging infrastructure. For example, many small schools struggle to afford building repairs or advanced technology. This issue was seen widely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Without reliable internet, students are unable to complete homework, attend virtual classes, or access online learning platforms.
Transportation also plays a role in limiting educational opportunities. Students can spend hours commuting to and from school every day. This not only reduces time for extracurriculars and homework, but it can also lead to increased costs in gas. Furthermore, rural families are more likely to face food insecurity, limited access to healthcare, and higher dropout rates.

Despite these challenges, several strategies can significantly improve the quality of rural education. One effective solution is offering teachers incentives such as loan forgiveness, housing stipends, and signing bonuses. Additionally, schools in specific regions or states could collaborate to share resources, offer distance learning, and provide a broader range of academic opportunities. While these solutions would help many rural schools, they all come with the same problem: costs. Policymakers should revise state and federal funding to account for the unique costs faced by rural school districts.

Within the next ten years, education will change greatly. My hope is for rural education to be prioritized and helped. Many of the issues rural schools face are not problems that schools in an urban setting have to consider. With changes to policy, these hardships can begin to be tackled, making education better for not only the students but for teachers, parents, administrators, and the community as a whole.