Rural Systemic Initiatives

The Rural Systemic Initiatives in Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Program was developed in FY 1994. RSI like the Urban Systemic Initiatives and the Statewide Systemic Initiatives stimulates system-wide educational reform of science, mathematics, and technology.

RSI is focused on improved education for students in rural, economically disadvantaged regions of the nation, particularly those that have been underserved by NSF programs; and on sustaining the improvements through encouraging community participation in instructional and policy reform. RSI is tailored to address policy, leadership, and workforce issues related to education, to provide a comprehensive and sustainable framework for science, mathematics, and technology education technology in elementary, secondary, and higher education.

RSI targets regions that are highly rural; characterized by significant levels of poverty among their school-age children; and that share common cultural, social, and economic characteristics. Interested individuals or identified leaders within eligible regions form consortia that include large NSF-funded Initiatives (e.g., SSI, EPSCoR, USP). RSI regions can be geographically vast, typically crossing state lines, or may be composed of areas that are geographically separated but linked by a unitary vision and other commonalities.

The RSI project scope is divided into two strategic elements. The initial element is a Development phase, to support planning for structuring Implementation (second) phase vision, strategies, and priorities. During the Development period, projects conduct regional self-studies to gather pertinent information regarding target populations, regional strengths and barriers, and policies that enhance or hinder instructional reform. Moreover, successful Development projects should result in a viable evaluation strategy to be utilized during the Implementation phase. The second strategic element, the Implementation phase, focuses on realizing the strategies for systemic improvement in RSI districts, schools and classrooms. The strategies can include teaching workforce enhancements, curriculum innovation, leadership development among teachers and local district administrators, and innovative and pertinent assessment strategies; and must result in better classroom instruction and higher student achievement.

The RSI's goals are:

• The improvement of science, mathematics, and technology education in rural, economically disadvantaged regions of the nation.
• The preparation of a technologically competent workforce to enhance the infrastructure of economic development activities within a community or region, by strengthening the science, mathematics, and technology instructional capacities of regional colleges and universities.
• The enhancement of scientific literacy and science understanding and appreciation among students and the general community in rural, economically disadvantaged regions of the nation.
• The development of community infrastructure to provide resources to sustain educational improvements.