Georgia has one of the nation’s largest and poorest rural student populations, and it’s “very important” policymakers address the needs of these students to improve the state’s overall education system, according to a new report released this week.
The Rural School and Community Trust Monday released “Why Rural Matters,” a report that examines the status of rural education in all 50 states. The survey looks at test scores, enrollment, socioeconomic status, race and spending to determine how rural students across the country are faring.
Georgia has the country’s third highest number of rural students (581,490) and about 56 percent of those students are considered poor. Only eight other states have a poorer rural student population.
The Peach State also has one of the lowest high school diploma attainment rates for rural adults at 81.2 percent. Only five states trail Georgia. Rural students also performed near the bottom on national exams, according to the report.
Click here to read the full report and see how other states ranked.
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