Rural education is crucially important, and the need for policy attention urgent in a state that ranks first in the percentage of rural schools and has more students in rural communities than most other states. South Dakota ranks high in rural child poverty (8th) and rural minority students (15th). Rural schools and classes are small, and a high percentage of school spending gets to the classroom. However, South Dakota's rural teachers are the worst paid in the nation, and earn far less than other South Dakota teachers.

From Why Rural Matters 2003: The Continuing Need for Every State to Take Action on Rural Education, February 2003. Learn more about why rural matters in your state.

Programs in South Dakota Black Hills Special Services Cooperative Do you know about a rural education program, organization, or issue in this state? Please contact us.

Why Rural Matters 2003: Summary for South Dakota

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U.S. Census Bureau

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