Rural Policy
OAEI has been selected to join the Rural People, Rural Policy program of the W.K.Kellogg Foundation. This multi-year national initiative is based on the premise that rural America has abundant assets and that the brightest potential for rural America emerges when a critical mass of rural people are stronger, more organized policy actors. Rural People, Rural Policy builds and strengthens skilled networks and organizations to advocate and act in the rural policy arena.
OAEI will work with the initiative’s “Central Appalachian Network” to define and make visible the policy concerns of the region. This network consists of non-profit organizations in a multi-sector network learning together about how to influence policy in health, education and general community development.
As part of the OAEI’s participation in the Rural People, Rural Policy program, OAEI staff joined a select group of 300 rural leaders at the first National Rural Assembly in Washington, D.C. in June 2007. The goal was the development of a shared mission to create an agenda for change in rural America. The participation of OAEI and others representing K-16 education ensured that rural education was a key policy area identified. The Assembly drew the attention of three U.S. Presidential candidates, who either sent videotaped messages or appeared live via satellite. The W. K. Kellogg Foundation and the Ford Foundation sponsored the Assembly, along with more than 100 supporting organizations. The Assembly was the first of several such efforts that will continue to strengthen and organize rural interests as they work toward developing national rural policies.
For further information: http://www.wkkf.org
"There is a pervasive and powerful mythology that no matter what schools do, children from low-income families can't learn up to high standards. The myth has become a self-fulfilling prophecy: Schools educating the highest concentrations of low-income students and students of color get less than their fair share of every important resource… The reality is that all students can learn to high standards. There are examples all over the country of schools, districts and whole states that have made great gains in closing achievement gaps while raising the achievement of all students. This progress has been supported through deliberate policy choices." (Education Trust, 2006) |
