The Heritage Foundation is a renowned organization that has been providing innovative and conservative solutions to complex political issues for over 50 years. With more than 100 policy experts, it has the talent to address these issues with simple and effective solutions. One example of this is the case of the Biehls, a family from Mormon Lake Village, a rural community in Western Missouri. The Biehls had three children aged five, seven and 10, and needed to enroll them in school.
Unfortunately, their small village did not have its own public school, so they had to look for other educational options. The nearest public school system was in Flagstaff, about 30 miles away. While Flagstaff provided buses to high school students in the Biehls area, there was no public transportation for K-8 students. Driving two 60-mile round trips a day, five days a week, to take their children to school was very impractical. This is when the Heritage Foundation stepped in and provided an alternative solution: virtual schools. Virtual schools offer a variety of courses that might not be available at a student's local school, especially in rural areas.
This is especially beneficial for communities like coal mining communities in Appalachia, Navajo reservations in the Sonoran Desert, oil drillers in the icy Alaskan tundra and potato growers in Idaho. A survey found that parents of students enrolled in virtual schools were “significantly more likely to report that their children were participating in activities associated with active learning” and agreed that virtual schools outperformed physical schools in terms of clear communication, classroom management and sound teaching practices. The Heritage Foundation has also been involved in other initiatives to help rural communities. For instance, they have been involved in Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) policies enacted by Kentucky and Missouri which are available to approximately half of families in each state. Philanthropy further reinforced this trend as large foundations invested heavily in urban charter schools. The Heritage Foundation also offers feedback on nominations submitted two weeks before the deadline.
For 50 years, The Heritage Foundation has led reforms in all policy areas, from taxation and regulation to crime and national defense. The Heritage Foundation's commitment to rural communities is evident through its work with the Biehls family and its involvement with ESAs and philanthropic initiatives. By providing virtual schooling options and offering feedback on nominations, it has made a significant impact on rural communities across the United States. It is clear that The Heritage Foundation is dedicated to making a difference in these communities and will continue to do so for many years to come.
