Rural students need more access to college and technology to make up for the educational challenges they face, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan told small-town teachers and school officials gathered in Columbus yesterday, the Columbus Dispatch reports. “We must first dramatically increase college enrollment and completion,” Duncan said. “Only about a third of young adults living in rural areas are enrolled in postsecondary education today. As long as adults in small towns and rural communities are the least likely people to earn a bachelor’s degree, economic development, job creation and entrepreneurial ventures will be limited.” High-speed internet service can provide access to Advanced Placement courses, college classes and other resources often missing in rural districts, which also face shaky funding and geographical isolation, he said…
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