October 13, 2025 TUCSON, AZ –The National Rural Education Association (NREA) is proud to launch the 2025 Why Rural Matters report, a project with a more than 20-year history of shaping the conversation about rural education. First conceptualized by the Rural Schools and Community Trust, the report has evolved into a vital resource for policymakers, educators, and communities. 

The Why Rural Matters Report is published to examine how educational supports and resources for student well-being are being distributed, casting light on which rural children are most in need of additional support. The report provides a state-by-state look at a range of factors that affect rural students’ education.

“The data in Why Rural Matters 2025 tell a clear story: rural schools are leading with creativity and resolve, even amid significant challenges,” said Dr. Melissa Sadorf, Executive Director of the NREA. “Our task now is to use this information to drive collective action that ensures every rural student has the opportunity to flourish.”

Why Rural Matters 2025, the 11th in the series, is being released during a period of significant change across the nation and the world. Many of these shifts influence rural education in the United States. The 2025 report highlights key trends and conditions as a foundation for discussion and action on issues affecting nearly 10 million students across the U.S.