# National Center for Rural Education Research Networks (NCRERN) ## National Center for Rural Education Research Networks The National Center for Rural Education Research Networks (NCRERN) seeks to increase opportunity for rural students through the power of actionable data and evidence. NCRERN builds the capacity of education agencies to undertake evidence-based continuous improvement in rural schools and districts and has increased the body of rigorous research and proven solutions in rural education. [ For more information, visit the NCRERN Website arrow\_circle\_right ](https://ncrern.provingground.cepr.harvard.edu/) ![Classroom](/sites/g/files/omnuum9881/files/styles/hwp_21_9__1920x825/public/2025-06/classroom-ncrern_1.jpg?itok=FJUO6J4L) The Rural Center’s network, [launched in 2019](https://harvard%20to%20launch%20center%20on%20rural%20education/) with funding from the Institute for Education Sciences (IES), includes over 100 district partners in 17 states across the country as well as their state education agencies, educational service agencies, and regional data centers. ### Rural Research By establishing a network of rural partners working through similar challenges, NCRERN conducts rural research that overcomes sample size challenges, reduces costs, and enables partners to share and benefit from one another’s insights and experiences in order to rapidly identify solutions that work for students and families. Explore NCRERN's model and research on attendance and postsecondary readiness and entry. [ Explore NCRERN's research arrow\_circle\_right ](https://ncrern.provingground.cepr.harvard.edu/research) ### The Rural Postsecondary Research Clearinghouse The Rural Postsecondary Research Clearinghouse compiled by NCRERN synthesizes the existing evidence on policies and practices implemented in high schools to improve students’ college and career readiness and access. Our goal is to help education leaders make informed, evidence-based decisions tailored to their local context. Through this Clearinghouse, we offer practitioners evidence-based strategies they can tailor to their local context and highlight areas for future research. [ Visit the clearinghouse arrow\_circle\_right ](https://ncrern.provingground.cepr.harvard.edu/rural-postsec-research-clearinghouse) ![Rural postsecondary clearinghouse homepage](/sites/g/files/omnuum9881/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-06/rural%20clearinghouse.png?itok=8XiY9iyL) ### Rural Collaboratives Research The Center for Education Policy Research (CEPR) at Harvard University and [Empower Schools](https://empowerschools.org/rural-innovation/) have launched a partnership to support research on the effectiveness of Rural Collaboratives in improving postsecondary success for underserved rural students. This work will examine the impact of formalized rural partnerships as a means to improve and expand college and career training for students, and, ultimately, improve their long-term outcomes. [ Learn more arrow\_circle\_right ](https://ncrern.provingground.cepr.harvard.edu/rural-collaboratives) ![Rural collaboratives](/sites/g/files/omnuum9881/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-06/rural%20collabs.png?h=6a2d6284&itok=icMExwlA) ## In the News [### The Low-Cost, Low-Lift Way These Districts Used to Reduce Student Absences ](/news/2025/06/low-cost-low-lift-way-these-districts-used-reduce-student-absences) June 06, 2025 One relatively simple and low-cost intervention for rural districts has the potential to reduce student absences by nearly 5%, according to new research. That intervention: Sending periodic, personalized messages to parents about their children’s... [### Empower Schools and the Center for Education Policy Research Partner to Advance Research on the Enabling Policies and Impact of Rural Collaboratives ](/news/2025/05/empower-schools-and-center-education-policy-research-partner-advance-research-enabling) May 16, 2025 Empower Schools and the Center for Education Policy Research (CEPR) at Harvard University are pleased to announce a partnership to research on the effectiveness of Rural Collaboratives in improving postsecondary success for underserved rural students... [### When Attendance Gets Personal ](/news/when-attendance-gets-personal) August 22, 2024 Two CEPR projects, Harvard Proving Ground and the National Center for Rural Education Research Networks (NCRERN), were highlighted in the ASCD EL Summer Issue for their effective, low-cost strategies to combat chronic absenteeism. "Individualized messages... [### From the Bluegrass State to Boston: Bringing Home the Lessons of the Rural Summit ](/news/bluegrass-state-boston-bringing-home-lessons-rural-summit) June 21, 2024 (LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY)— From April 29th to May 1st, the National Center for Rural Education Research Networks (NCRERN) joined the Annual Rural Summit hosted by Partners for Rural Impact. The summit convened over 700 teachers, principals, superintendents... [### Exploring New Avenues for Postsecondary Success: A Spotlight on Western Local School District ](/news/exploring-new-avenues-postsecondary-success-spotlight-western-local-school-district) June 10, 2024 The traditional school system aims to prepare students for a four-year university. Yet, in many districts, going to college is the exception, not the norm. In communities like Latham, Ohio—where 93% of families have no post-secondary education—most... [### Spring 2024: CEPR Newsletter ](/news/spring-2024-cepr-newsletter) April 04, 2024 It was a busy winter at CEPR, as we released the latest edition of the Education Recovery Scorecard and welcomed onboard our new executive director, Dr. Christina Grant. As the Scorecard revealed, the COVID-19 pandemic has had lasting impacts. Students in... [ View All NCRERN News arrow\_circle\_right ](https://prod-cepr.drupalsites.harvard.edu/news?f%5B0%5D=hwp_c_projectname%3A166446) ## Meet the NCRERN Team [### Kristen Cummings ](/people/kristen-cummings)Senior Manager, Research Initiatives for College and Career Success Kristen Cummings is the Senior Manager of Research Initiatives for College and Career Success at CEPR. Previously, Kristen worked as an education researcher at Abt Associates, where she worked on federally funded studies focused on workforce development... ![Kristen Cummings](/sites/g/files/omnuum9881/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/cepr/files/kristen-cummings-profile-600x760.jpg?itok=kumtJ0la) [### Soojin Lee ](/people/soojin-lee) [soojin\_lee@gse.harvard.edu](mailto:soojin_lee@gse.harvard.edu)Research Program Associate, RICCS Soojin serves as the Research Program Associate for the Research Initiatives for College and Career Success (RICCS) at the Center for Education Policy Research (CEPR). Before joining CEPR, she held the position of researcher at the Korean Educational... ![Soojin Lee](/sites/g/files/omnuum9881/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/cepr/files/soojin_1.jpg?itok=kcqBFLWA) [### Derik Suria ](/people/derik-suria) [derik\_suria@gse.harvard.edu](mailto:derik_suria@gse.harvard.edu)Research Analyst II Derik is a Research Analyst for the National Center for Rural Education Research Networks and Strategic Data Project at CEPR. Before joining CEPR, Derik worked as a research associate at Harvard Business School’s Private Capital Project under the... ![Derik Suria](/sites/g/files/omnuum9881/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/cepr/files/screenshot_2025-01-08_at_1.46.49_pm.png?itok=ymqEdgW8) [### Elise Swanson ](/people/elise-swanson)Director of Research Initiatives for College and Career Success Elise Swanson is the Director of Research Initiatives for College and Career Success at CEPR, where she directs projects focused on using data and evidence effectively to support students’ preparation for, transitions into, and success in college and... ![Elise Swanson Headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum9881/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/cepr/files/eswanson-headshot.jpg?itok=egxI_80-) #### *NCRERN research reported on this website was supported by the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education, through Grant R305C1900004. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not represent views of the Institute or the U.S. Department of Education.* ## You may also like - [Proving Ground](/proving-ground) - [National Center for Research in Policy and Practice](/national-center-research-policy-and-practice) See also:- [ Attendance ](/focus-areas/attendance) - [ Postsecondary Access & Success ](/focus-areas/postsecondary-access-and-success) - [ Project ](/page-type/project) - [ National Center for Rural Education Research Networks (NCRERN) ](/projects/national-center-rural-education-research-networks-ncrern) - [ Current ](/project-status/current)