ABSTRACT
The vast geography of rural America presents unique challenges for rural evaluators. Transportation and travel in and out of rural communities can be difficult. This chapter discusses the characteristics of rural communities, resources available, social context, political context, employment, poverty, and culture, and how these factors shape the rural evaluation process. Rural America has also experienced a larger number of deaths due to the opioid epidemic, suicide, and alcoholism than more urban areas. Rural populations most affected by higher opioid mortality rates include rural white men and women in their middle ages, rural black Americans, individuals with less than a high school diploma, those who are unemployed, and individuals who experience social and economic disadvantage. Technology, health-care, education, and natural resources are what make rural American unique. Despite lower educational attainment of rural Americans, the education systems located throughout rural America are a tremendous resource.
