Baucus' Rural Education Bill Gathers Strength, Broad Support

(Washington, D.C.) - Montana's senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus is continuing his push to create a new Office of Rural Education Policy to make sure rural students and teachers get the resources and attention they need to succeed. Today, various groups are joining Baucus' effort by speaking out about the urgency and significance of the legislation.

"Montana jobs rely on strong rural schools. I'm doing everything I can to make sure students from Libby to Lodge Grass and Melstone to Missoula have a fair chance at the resources and tools they deserve for a good education. This bill is the right thing to do at the right time," said Baucus. "It's my intent that all Montana schools will benefit from having a one-stop-shop for rural policy issues within the Department of Education."

Baucus is joined by Senator Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia in sponsoring the bill along with eight other Senators.

Here's what people are saying about Baucus' Office of Rural Education Policy Act:

Dave Puyear, Montana Rural Education Association Executive Director hails the measure as helping rural educators focus their time on students, instead of wading through red tape.
 "Max's proposal has the potential to be a tremendous cost saving measure by helping schools re-direct time and energy back to the students and classroom. As I think back over the past decade, the amount of time, energy and funding that have been wasted on trying to communicate with the Department of Education has been unbelievable. The Montana Rural Education Association and I personally strongly support the measure and will be doing everything we can to support the effort," said Puyear.

Lance Melton, Executive Director of the Montana School Boards Association, noted that the Office of Rural Education Policy Act would provide a welcome focus on the quality education being provided in Montana.
 "We appreciate Senator Baucus' continued pursuit of the interests of K-12 public education in Montana and other rural states. The presence of a voice for rural education at a leadership level in the United States Department of Education will help ensure needed improvement in the consideration of the needs of rural schools in federal K-12 policy. The increased visibility for rural education will also help Montana and other rural states showcase the excellent work they are doing for the students in our public schools," Melton said.




National Association of Federally Impacted Schools (NAFIS) are endorsing the legislation. NAFIS Executive Director John Forkenbrock says a new, permanent Office of Rural Education Policy is essential.

 "A permanent office is all the more important during the transition of administrations as new leaders highlight their own policies and priorities...we express our gratitude for the leadership and initiative Senator Baucus and Senator Rockefeller have shown in pursing this authorization," Forkenbrock said.

The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and the nearly 1,200 community colleges it represents are also supporting the proposed legislation.

 "More than half of the nation's community colleges currently serve rural populations, providing postsecondary education and critical workforce training. This legislation would not only provide valuable information about the students entering our colleges but would provide critical data and policy recommendations about rural higher education and career readiness, professional development opportunities for rural teachers and administrators, and other issues of direct interest to community colleges," said Walter G. Bumphus, American Association of Community Colleges President and CEO.

Montana Organizations supporting The Office of Rural Education Policy Act:
• Montana Rural Education Assoc. (MREA)
• Montana School Boards Association
• Montana Association of School Superintendents
• Montana Association of Elementary and Middle School Principals
• Montana Association of Secondary School Principals

Additional Information:
Baucus' rural education plan does not commit additional taxpayer dollars to the Department of Education, and instead, anticipates that the office would be staffed and paid for with existing resources within the Department. Of the approximately 830 schools in Montana, over half of them enroll less than 100 students. Baucus says the timing of the bill is critical for Montana schools as Congress looks to start revamping the No Child Left Behind Act, which is the major source of federal funding for elementary and secondary education.
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• 051311
• Rural
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