Additional settings for Safari Browser.
Homepage
A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE –
“A Voice for Rural Schools Since 1990”
Since 1990, the Texas Association of Rural Schools (TARS) has proudly served as the oldest and most enduring rural school association in Texas. Born from a shared vision of superintendents at the Mid-Winter Conference, TARS emerged to fill a vital need: a unified and powerful voice for rural schools at the state level.
WHAT WE DO
The mission of TARS is to champion the interests of rural schools in Texas. We advocate for equitable funding that addresses the challenges of diseconomies of scale and size, while emphasizing the importance of local self-governance. TARS actively engages with federal, state, and local leaders to shape education policy and provides research-based solutions to support our advocacy.
TARS Goals: (How we achieve our mission)
1. Equitable Funding: Secure fair funding mechanisms that account for economies of scale and the unique challenges of rural schools, enabling them to build strong fiscal capacity and serve every student effectively.
2. Local Governance: Protect the authority of locally elected school boards as the primary decision-makers for their communities, ensuring education policies respect rural values and priorities.
3. Tailored Education: Advance education policies that reflect the distinct characteristics of rural communities, rejecting one-size-fits-all approaches in favor of student-centered, locally responsive solutions.
HOW WE ACHIEVE OUR MISSION
To empower rural education in Texas by advocating for the success of every student. Our commitment is to preserve the unique identity of rural communities while highlighting small schools indispensable role in shaping the future of Texas.
4. Consolidation Resistance: Oppose forced consolidation of small and rural districts to preserve community identity, culture, and autonomy as vital parts of Texas’ heritage.
5. Research & Education: Conduct and share research that demonstrates the efficiency and necessity of rural schools, providing policymakers and the public with evidence-based insights.
6. Advocacy & Collaboration: Strengthen partnerships with educators, associations, and legislators to advance policies that protect the rights, resources, and recognition of rural schools and their students.
Capitol Insights by Executive Director, Randy Willis
Upcoming Events
View the full calendar to see all the exciting events we have happening in the next few weeks and months!
Sponsor Logos
