What We Do

Established in 1978, The Rural Education Center (REC) in the College of Education at Kansas State University conducts nationally relevant, high quality rural educational research, secures external funding, and connects rural schools across Kansas with resources and opportunities. The REC is the Rural Schools Collaborative Kansas Hub, supporting the preparation of rural teachers in partnership with Ed Astra. Initiatives supporting teacher learning, STEM student learning, and rural school leader professional development are Center priorities.

The mission of the REC is to support innovation and create opportunities that improve the quality of education for students in the rural and small school communities of Kansas as part of the land-grant mission of Kansas State University.

The REC advances the priorities of Next-Gen K-State by conducting high-impact rural educational research, securing external funding, and developing partnerships that strengthen educational opportunities across Kansas. Through support for rural teacher preparation, workforce development, STEM learning, and professional learning initiatives, the REC responds to the evolving needs of learners, schools, communities, and employers through expanded access to education in rural schools.

Current Initiatives

• Place-Based Education Rural Teacher Professional Development
• Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering in Rural High Schools
• Rural Teacher Recruitment
• Rural Middle-School STEM Summer Learning
• Rural Education Summit for School Leaders
• Rural Schools Collaborative KS Hub
• Center for Innovative Rural Collaborative Leadership Education (CIRCLE)
• Journal of Research in Rural Education

ED ASTRA Student Group