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A LEGACY OF ADVOCACY
Born out of a collective vision in 1990, the Texas Association of Rural Schools (TARS) was conceived during a spirited discussion among several dedicated superintendents at the Mid-Winter Conference. Recognizing a pressing need for a stronger voice for rural schools at the state level, this group of forward thinkers established TARS, with a focus on districts with an Average Daily Attendance (ADA) of 1600 or fewer, deeply connected to the agricultural economy.
WHAT WE DO
TARS’ mission is to champion the interests of rural schools in Texas, strongly advocating for equitable distribution of financial resources and emphasizing the significance for the self-governing principle of local authority. We will actively engage with federal, state, and local entities to influence education policy while providing research to support our recommendations.
TARS Goals: (What we must do to get there)
1. Equitable Funding: To secure a fair funding mechanism that recognizes the scale of economy and the unique needs and challenges of rural schools, thereby growing their fiscal capacity to serve all students.
2. Local Governance: To strongly advocate for local governance in education, recognizing the value of locally elected school boards in understanding the unique values and educational requirements of their communities. To exert a positive impact on educational policies at federal, state, and local levels, ensuring they honor and support the specific needs of rural schools.
3. Tailored Education: To advocate for educational strategies and policies that recognize the distinct characteristics and needs of rural communities, challenging a one-size-fits-all approach and ensuring a more customized, locally responsive education for each student.
WHAT WE WANT TO ACHIEVE
To empower rural education in Texas by advocating for the benefit of each student. Our commitment is to uphold the distinct identity of rural communities and their schools while highlighting their indispensable role in developing the foundations of the next generation of Texans.
4. Consolidation Resistance: To resist any consolidation of small and rural school districts, safeguarding the unique culture, identity, and autonomy of rural communities which form the backbone of the state of Texas.
5. Research & Education: To conduct and disseminate meaningful research that bolsters the case for the efficiency and necessity of rural schools and to educate the public and policymakers about these findings.
6. Advocacy & Collaboration: To foster collaboration with other educational institutions, associations, and legislators, strengthening our advocacy for the rights and autonomy of rural schools and their students.
Capitol Insights by Executive Director, Randy Willis
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