This report continues the critical mission of drawing attention to the urgent need for policymakers, educators, and communities to address rural education challenges and opportunities within their own states. The analyses and data presented in Why Rural Matters 2025 are intended to inform policy discussions, guide decision-making, and inspire action.
New in this year’s edition is the inclusion of Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools. The report carefully distinguishes between “states” proper and BIE schools while underscoring their shared place in the broader rural education landscape.
