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National Rural Education Association Official PodcastAuthor: Dr Allen Pratt, Mr. Jared Bigham
Welcome to the official podcast of the National Rural Education Association called the Rural Voice. Co-Hosted by Drs. Allen Pratt, Jared Bigham, and Christopher F. Silver, they discuss the common themes and experiences facing teachers, parents, and administrators in elementary and secondary rural education. Language: en Genres: Courses, Education, How To Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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S05E04 - School Choice in Rural America: What’s at Stake. An interview with Dr. Preston Green.
Episode 87
Monday, 15 December, 2025
In this episode of The Rural Voice Podcast, the conversation examines how school voucher and school choice policies affect rural communities. The hosts are joined by Dr. Preston Green, a nationally recognized scholar of education law, to explore why policies designed for large or urban districts can destabilize rural school systems. The discussion focuses on the realities of scale and context in rural education. In small, geographically dispersed districts, the loss of even a few students can lead to funding shortfalls, staffing cuts, consolidation, or school closures. The episode explores how voucher programs and charter expansion can redirect public funds without equivalent accountability, alter student rights and protections, and reduce meaningful educational options for rural families. A key feature of the conversation is Dr. Green’s proposal for “education preserves,” a policy approach modeled on natural resources law that would limit or prohibit voucher and charter expansion in particularly vulnerable rural areas. The episode offers a data-informed, policy-focused discussion designed for rural educators, school board members, policymakers, and community leaders seeking a clearer understanding of what is at stake for rural schools and the communities they anchor. Guest Bio Dr. Preston Green is the John and Maria Neag (knee-ag) Professor of Urban Education at the University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education and a Professor of Educational Leadership and Law. He is an expert on charter schools, school vouchers, student rights, school desegregation, and school finance. Dr. Green has written five books and published extensively in law reviews and peer-reviewed education journals. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and The Boston Globe. He earned his BA in Government from the University of Virginia and his JD and EdD from Columbia University.
