The National Signature Project Award is awarded annually to an outstanding and innovative classroom project that exemplifies the very best in rural, place-based education. It is open to any rural classroom teacher in the United States, and it is jointly funded by the Rural Schools Collaborative (RSC) and the National Rural Education Association (NREA).

One rural teacher will receive $2,500, and two runner-up teachers will receive $1,500, toward their individual place-based education projects. In addition to the maximum award of $2,500, awardees' travel and registration fees will be covered for attendance to The 2023 National Forum to Advance Rural Education. Applications are due April 30, 2023. You can learn more about the award, view previous winners’ projects, and apply now by visiting our website!

This brief provides an overview of the motivations for Arkansas school districts adopting a four or year-- day school week round calendar. In addition to examining these motivations, this brief provides an overview of the districts adopting non-traditional calendars and policy recommendations for districts and communities considering changing calendars.