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Toward Rural Prosperity: A State Policy Framework in Support of Rural Community Colleges

Explore a state policy framework supporting rural community colleges to boost economic and social vitality in troubled rural America. Learn strategies for education access, workforce preparation, technology, and funding.

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Toward Rural Prosperity: A State Policy Framework in Support of Rural Community Colleges

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  1. Toward Rural Prosperity:A State Policy Framework in Support of Rural Community Colleges Sarah Rubin, MDC, Inc. RCCA Conference October 9, 2002

  2. Rural America in Trouble “Significant portions of rural America are in trouble … the slow slide to no longer being viable – economically, socially, or politically – is within sight.” Karl Stauber, President Northwest Area Foundation (c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002

  3. Income, Poverty, & Jobs (c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002

  4. Educational Attainment 2000, Age 18+ (c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002

  5. Persistent Poverty • Poverty rate of 20%+ in every Census, 1960-1990 • 535 nonmetro counties – nearly 1 in 4 – have “persistent poverty” (c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002

  6. The Rural Development Dilemma • A community can’t attract or develop jobs without an educated workforce. • But – a community can’t retain educated workers without a healthy economy. (c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002

  7. Rural Community College Initiative (RCCI) • Community colleges have unique ability to address the rural development dilemma • Twin goals • Expand access to education • Build the foundation for a stronger economy (c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002

  8. Community Colleges “Rural community colleges can bring together the institutional, human, and capital resources needed to jump-start chronically distressed rural economies.” George B. Autry Founding President, MDC (c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002

  9. Implications for State Policy • Rural regions would benefit from more RCCI-like leadership by community colleges. • How can states encourage and enable more rural colleges to take on this broader mission? (c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002

  10. State Policy Issues Economic & Community Development Governance Access to Education Rural Community Colleges Funding Workforce Preparation Technology

  11. Economic and Community Development • Use rural colleges as “civic conveners.” • Reward community service. • Include rural colleges as partners in regional development initiatives. • Use colleges for small business assistance and entrepreneurship education. (c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002

  12. Access to Education • Keep community college tuition and fees affordable. • Enable colleges to serve a diverse student population. • Fund counseling and support services. • Help students overcome distance barriers. (c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002

  13. Access to Education, cont. • Support partnerships to prepare low-income youth for college. • Provide sufficient resources for developmental education, literacy, and basic skills instruction. • Make ABE and GED programs compatible with needs and learning styles of low-literacy adults. (c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002

  14. Workforce Preparation • Designate community colleges as “presumptive deliverers.” • Mandate collaboration among workforce agencies. • Fund non-credit workforce instruction. • Enable TANF recipients and the working poor to train for better jobs. (c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002

  15. Technology • Ensure that rural areas have competitive telecommunications infrastructure with fair pricing. • Ensure that small, rural colleges have adequate IT equipment and staffing. (c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002

  16. Funding • Economies of scale – impact on small colleges • Base funding • Low-wealth tax districts – equalization and capital funding • Funding for new initiatives • Regional partnerships for greater economies of scale (c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002

  17. Governance • Does the governance system for community colleges reflect their critical role in preparing the 21st-century workforce? (c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002

  18. Tribal Colleges • Increase federal appropriations. • Seek state support for facilities and non-Indian students. (c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002

  19. Questions • How does your state measure up in support for rural colleges and rural development? • In today’s budget climate, how can we advocate for an aggressive access and community development mission? (c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002

  20. For More Information: • MDC – www.mdcinc.org • RCCI – www.mdinc.org/rcci (c) MDC, Inc. October 9, 2002

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