2024 Conference Registration is Now Closed
The National Forum to Advance Rural Education is one of the country’s leading rural education conferences. The event is designed to create an environment for collaboration and innovation with a diverse community that includes national experts, K–12 and higher education practitioners, leading researchers, policymakers, and philanthropic leaders from around the country.
Walk away with the latest insights, best practices, research, and more to help you lead and support your districts, schools, or organizations. With general sessions from national thought leaders, engaging learning sessions, valuable networking opportunities, and access to our exhibitors and partners, attendees will leave inspired and energized with new ideas, strategies, and connections. Join us in person in Savannah, GA on October 31-November 1, 2024 and consider attending the pre-conference on October 30.
Who Should Attend?
- Rural district, building, and teacher leaders
- Business, civic, and community leaders
- State department of education leaders
- Local, state, and national boards of education leaders
- Established collaboratives/networks of education, business, and community organizations
- Economic development leaders and venture capitalists
- Rural and non-rural education associations
- Philanthropic organizations
- Leaders from institutes of higher education
- Others interested in strengthening rural education, economic/ workforce development, and civic/community engagement effort
Download Pre-Conference Brochure
Schedule at a Glance (detailed schedule below)
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 12-1pm | Registration & Welcome Refreshments |
| 1–2:15 p.m. | General Session: The Power of Rural Partnerships to Support Policy, Advocacy & Funding |
| Track 1: Research & Data | |
| 2:30-3 p.m. | Learning Session |
| 3:15-3:45 p.m. | Learning Session |
| 4-4:30 p.m. | Learning Session |
| Track 2: Advocacy | |
| 2:30-3 p.m. | General Session |
| 3-4:30 p.m | Advocacy Training & Model Meetings for Experienced Advocates OR Advocacy Training & Model Meetings for Beginning Advocates |
| 4:30–6 p.m. | Early Registration & 2024 Welcome Party |
GENERAL SESSION
1-2:15 P.M.
Room: 200 & 201
THE POWER OF RURAL PARTNERSHIPS TO SUPPORT POLICY, ADVOCACY & FUNDING
This panel brings together leaders and scholars to discuss how to further policy, advocacy, and funding opportunities in rural education. The panelists will highlight how to develop, cultivate, and sustain powerful rural partnerships and how to build capacity and organizations’ capacity to advocate for rural schools, districts, higher education institutions, and communities, while attending to the diversity across the rural education ecological systems. The panel will end with questions from the audience.
TRACK 1: RESEARCH & DATA
Join researchers and data experts from around the country to explore how to use data to inform educational strategy, instructional practices, or policy decisions, and how to connect data and information to tell a story about your strategic vision, priorities, and impact.
2:30-3 P.M. WHY RURAL MATTERS TO THE USDOE: THE IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE-BUILDING
Presenter: Victoria Schaefer, Senior Manager, SRI International
Room: 202
Do you know all the ways the U.S. Department of Education supports rural communities? Funding opportunities, technical assistance, and other resources tailored to the rural context will be explored. For example, at least 25% of the aggregate funding for the Regional Educational Laboratory Program must be dedicated to rural issues. IES intends to fund a rural education research and development center aimed at improving the education system, and ultimately, student achievement. The role of out of school time learning opportunities will be emphasized.
3:15-3:45 P.M. MEASURING EQUITY WITH CENSUS BUREAU DATA
Presenter: Rex Kung, U.S. Census Bureau
Room: 202
The Census Bureau’s primary data platform, data.census.gov, provides access to the nation’s most reliable source of demographic, social, and economic data, including data for small geographies and rural areas. These data provide a benchmark for the diversity of people in rural communities and their educational attainment, which can help quantify initiatives that promote equity. In this session, you will learn how to navigate data.census.gov to access the most recent profiles, tables, and maps. We will highlight different ways to search on the site, including tips and tricks to select rural geographies and access educational attainment data for different population groups.
4-4:30 P.M. EDUCATION IN RURAL AREAS: DATA FROM NCES RESOURCE HUBS
Presenters: Dr. Jerry Johnson, Professor of Educational Leadership, East Carolina University and Dr. Xiaolei Wang, Statistician, National Center for Education Statistics
Room: 202
The representative from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) will explore resources and tiered data products available on the websites: Education Across America (EAA): Cities, Suburbs, Towns, and Rural Areas. EAA is designed for those who are interested in the condition of education in different geographic locales in the United States (i.e., cities, suburbs, towns, and rural areas). The representative from the Rural Education Institute will discuss applied use of these resources to inform research, policy, and practice, including specific examples.
TRACK 2: ADVOCACY SESSION
Hosted by policy leaders and lobbyists from the National Education Association (NEA), the Advocacy track is designed to help you develop and apply your advocacy skills.
2:30-4:30 P.M. BRINGING THE RURAL VOICE TO THE TABLE: ADVOCACY
Presenters: Deb Koolbeck, Federal Lobbyist, National Education Association & Colleagues
Room: 203 & 204
“If you are not at the table, you are on the menu.” ~Anonymous
In this interactive session, engage in getting the rural voice at the table through effective advocacy strategies and practices for the local, state, regional, and federal levels. Built to support those new or nervous about advocacy, while augmenting the skills of seasoned advocates. Bring your expertise, stories, and experiences to the advocacy table, and practice skills newly learned or take your current skills to a new level to get the Rural Voice at the table, whether it is a table for funding, legislation, collaboration/partnerships, policies or another critical area to the communities you serve.
Wednesday, October 30
Advancing Rural Education Site Visit, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
NFARE Pre-Conference, 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Requires additional registration; limited availability. If you’ve already registered for the main conference and want to add the pre-conference to your registration, please email nfare@nrea.site.
12-1pm Registration & Welcome Refreshments
1–2:15 p.m. General Session
2:30-4:30 p.m. Select a Track
Track 1: Research & Data
Track 2: Advocacy
Early Registration & Welcome Party, 4:30-6 p.m.
Join us on Wednesday evening to grab your registration materials, have a few snacks and drinks, listen to music, connect with exhibitors, and meet other conference attendees! Experience the fun, energy, and excitement before the official conference begins.
Thursday, October 31
7:30–8:30 a.m. Registration & Breakfast
8:30–10 a.m. Welcome & Opening Remarks – Keynote: Dr. Adolph Brown
10:15–12:30 p.m. Learning Sessions
12:30-1 p.m. Lunch
1–2:30 p.m. General Session: From Polarization to Progress
2:45–5 p.m. Learning Sessions
5–6:30 p.m. Attendee Reception & NREA Silent Auction
Friday, November 1
7:30–8:30 a.m. Registration & Breakfast
8:30–10 a.m. Opening Remarks & General Session: Rural Education as a Profession
10:15–12:30 p.m. Learning Sessions
12:30-1 p.m. Lunch
1–2 p.m. Closing Keynote: Brandon Fleming
Note: All times are Eastern Standard Time (EST). Times are subject to change.
Thursday, October 31, 2024
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Adolph Brown
Dr. Adolph Brown, aka “The World’s Greatest Edu-tainer” (the name given to him by friend Doug E. Fresh – “The World’s Greatest Entertainer,”) is an internationally renowned credentialed master teacher, character education leader, servant leadership consultant, educational and clinical psychologist, author, researcher, entrepreneur, and an influential thinker/practitioner in the fields of education, human behavior, and neuroscience. He was once the youngest tenured full professor in our nation even after his extremely humble beginnings and being the first in his family of five to graduate from high school.
Head Start gave Dr. Brown his aptitude for learning and he continues to grow and learn to this very day. He writes and teaches from the unique perspective of an experienced passionate and award-winning educator and research scientist, an innovative and effective business leader, and an engaging consultant. Dr. Brown has devoted his life’s mission to positive human development. He is not your typical “motivational speaker” or self-proclaimed “guru.” He educates, informs, challenges, and delights with some amusement and a little “show and tell.”
General Session: From Polarization to Progress: Leading and Modeling in a Time of High Conflict
How can we bolster our work together with our communities, boards, and parents in a time of challenging polarization? Superintendents, board members, and educators find it difficult to make sustained progress on their initiatives because they are navigating divisive semantics, culture wars, and intense ideologies that often have little to do with quality learning for students. We can and we must make progress toward changing this environment by building our good conflict muscles—muscles that allow us to be curious, disagree, problem solve, bring new ideas to bear, and then go have dinner or go to a little league game with the people we disagreed with. Engage with national education leaders and practitioners as they highlight simple principles of good conflict and ability to decrease polarization—be curious, be respectful, and build bridges. These core principles, proactively sought, developed, and supported, can help us navigate and change polarized environments.
Friday, November 1, 2024
Panel Discussion: Rural Education as a Profession
Hear from educators and students as they share their candid and thoughtful viewpoints on a variety of timely topics in education.
Keynote Speaker: Brandon Fleming
Brandon Fleming is a renowned speaker, nationally acclaimed educator, and author of MISEDUCATED: A Memoir. His triumphant story of struggle, success, and service has captured the heart of national media and inspired millions of people around the world. An at-risk youth and college dropout turned award-winning educator, Fleming is a former debate coach at Harvard University and Founder and CEO of the Veritas School of Social Sciences in Atlanta, GA. Fleming’s story represents the transformative power of equity. The equity model Fleming has built to close performance gaps is one that academic and corporate institutions have highly sought to replicate. As a renowned speaker, Fleming has keynoted for international governmental organizations such as the United Nations. Fleming has spoken at the nation’s most prestigious colleges, universities, and K-12 conferences. Fleming has also keynoted conventions for corporate executives at the nation’s largest brands such as Walmart, Bank of America, FedEx, the Federal Reserve Bank, and many more. At the age of 29, Forbes Magazine named Fleming to the Forbes 30 under 30 list. In 2020, The Root Magazine named Fleming one of the top 100 most influential African Americans in the United States. And in May 2021, North Carolina Wesleyan College bestowed upon Fleming the honorary Doctor of Humanities degree.
What will you do in the #NFARECity?
Whether your ideal pace is strolling around the famous Forsyth fountain or a night of cabaret and karaoke, Savannah provides the perfect playground. History buffs swarm Savannah, taking in the rich, significant sites like Old Fort Jackson, Fort Pulaski National Monument and Bonaventure Cemetery. Fashionistas comb Broughton Street for high-end designs, and foodies crave specialties in gourmet shops. Art lovers enjoy the renowned Telfair Academy and the SCAD Museum of Art, as well as an eclectic variety of art galleries and home decor shops. Whether you’re here for a day or an extended stay, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
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Tours & ExcursionsFeel shivers up and down your spine during a ghost tour or a trek through Bonaventure Cemetery. Admire Victorian architecture in downtown districts, see Civil War-era landmarks, or traipse through a bounty of museums. Bring your binoculars for a cruise on the water to see plants, animals, and playful dolphins. Or tempt your taste buds with a culinary introduction to Savannah staples like shrimp and grits or sample spirits at a local distillery. |
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EntertainmentIn a captivating city that mixes its historic allure with an eclectic offering of shows, venues, and festivals, Savannah presents an array of entertaining pursuits. Marvel at the architecture inside and out at the Savannah Theatre. Find double the fun at a number of bars by taking in live music while quenching your thirst with locally distilled spirits and craft brews. |
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DiningOur cuisine and spirits are world-famous and extremely diverse. Sink your teeth into extra-crispy fried chicken, authentic shrimp and grits, finger-licking-good barbecue, and so much more. |
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ShoppingSpend the afternoon walking down Savannah’s famous Broughton Street or through the historic City Market for home furnishings, gourmet provisions, apparel, and fine jewelry. Explore the eclectic Starland District for all things vintage and artistic. Stroll along the Bull Street corridor and stop in some of the city’s best boutiques. |
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Outdoor ActivitiesSavannah begs for its visitors to stay outdoors and absorb its natural beauty. Stroll, run or bike along picturesque cobblestone streets. See gardens and fountains and sit a spell under shady trees in 22 historic squares dotting the city. Tee up at one of the area’s championship golf courses, or board a charter boat to spot dolphins or go fishing. Stretch out on a sandy beach at Tybee Island, and take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean. |
Source and to learn more, visit: https://visitsavannah.com/things-to-do
Andaz Savannah (Hyatt Brand)
14 Barnard St.
912-233-2116
The Bohemian (Marriott Brand)
102 W. Bay St.
912-721-3800
Holiday Inn Express
199 E. Bay St.
912-231-9000
Doubletree by Hilton
411 W. Bay St.
912-790-1000
The 2024 National Forum to Advance Rural Education is hosted by the National Rural Education Association and Rural Schools Collaborative, in partnership with the Georgia Department of Education.
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