ABSTRACT
The rural–urban split is one of the most significant fault lines in American democracy today. Recognizing this, the Georgia 3Rs aimed initially at implementation in rural counties. This chapter analyzes the progress of Georgia 3Rs in the one rural school district, Bleckley County Public Schools (BCPS) that approved implementation. Analysis of the relevance of and barriers to implementation in Bleckley hold lessons for navigating the rural–urban divide over public education in the US and around the globe. Interviews show the promise and positive impact of the 3Rs as a “protective shield against controversy and negative attention rather than as an affirmative tool used to combat lack of student knowledge.” However, the scarcity of budgetary resources in rural areas means that 3Rs implementation needs to compete with other primary needs. Additionally, the assumptions within a religiously homogenous rural community pose limits in raising different perspectives.
