National Forum to Advance Rural Education

Present at the Nation’s Premier Rural Education Conference

We seek diverse and dynamic sessions that explore a wide range of topics relevant to rural education. Whether you are an educator with a proven strategy for improving student outcomes, a researcher with insights on policy impact, or a community leader creating new pathways for educational opportunities, we want to hear from you.

This is your chance to share the latest advancements, best practices, and groundbreaking research that are shaping the future of rural education.

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Submit Learning Session Proposal   Submit Research Session Proposal

Why Should You Submit a Proposal?

We are seeking presentations of the following types:

45-MINUTE LEARNING SESSIONS
These sessions are intended to go into more depth around innovative or promising practices aligned with the event theme and guiding questions in a 45-minute format. The style of your session can range from an in-depth and interactive learning experience to a panel discussion, to an informal conversation where audience participation is the main component.

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45-MINUTE RESEARCH SESSIONS
These sessions showcase leading research on rural education issues. Proposals for research presentations should be blinded and provide a summary of the research that addresses the following: background and relevance to rural education and the conference, purpose and research questions, method, findings (preliminary for proposal or finalized/approved for presentation), discussion of implications for rural education, and references. Research proposals will be peer reviewed by members of the NREA research committee and selected based on reviewer scoring and recommendations. Authors of top-scoring research proposals will compete for the distinguished Howard A. Dawson Best Research Paper Award. Submitting authors of a small number of top scoring research proposals will be invited to send the full paper to be read and judged by the awards subcommittee.

Learn more about research symposium submission requirements.

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Proposal Theme & Strands

Deeply Rooted in Rural Education: Place, Partnerships, and Possibilities

In rural communities, education is not just about classrooms and textbooks; it is deeply interwoven with the land and community, the people, and the traditions that define each unique place. Rural education is rooted in a strong sense of local identity, where schools often serve as hubs for community connection and cultural preservation.

Ultimately, rural education is a place of possibilities. With the right support, these communities can tap into their rich resources—both human and natural—and cultivate learning environments that nurture innovation, resilience, and a deep sense of belonging. Education in rural areas is not just about preparing students for the global economy; it’s about empowering them to understand and engage with the world around them, while also honoring the roots that have sustained their communities for generations.

This year’s theme is Deeply Rooted in Rural Education: Place, Partnerships, and Possibilities and we invite proposals that align with the following strands:

Place-Based Focus Demonstrates how education is influenced by and contributes to the unique identity, culture, and resources of rural communities.	Collaborative Partnerships Highlights successful collaborations between schools, families, local organizations, businesses, or other stakeholders in rural areas.	Innovative Solutions Shares creative approaches or programs that address rural-specific challenges, such as access to resources, teacher recruitment, or student retention.
Research & Best Practices Incorporates data-driven insights, case studies, or proven strategies that have positively impacted rural education.	Empowerment & Possibilities Emphasizes ways education can nurture leadership, entrepreneurship, and resilience in rural students and communities.	Engagement & Sustainability Offers practical, scalable models to strengthen and sustain rural education initiatives over time.

Important Dates

• March 28: Proposals Due
• Mid-April: Notifications for learning session proposals
• Late May: Notifications for research session proposals
• May 30: Presenter registration deadline
• October 13-15: Conference in Salt Lake City, UT

Questions?

Contact the event team at nfare@nrea.site.