Social network theory posits that social interactions provide access to information and other resources but may also constrain opportunities. Although social networks have been analyzed in educational settings to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and the structures supporting or constraining educators, few studies address how social…

For this comprehensive literature review, we begin by framing our study with a scholarship review of the theorizing of place-based leadership and rural administrators. We then synthesize research on the practice and experiences of district administrators, including superintendents, school boards, and other ancillary leaders. We identify multiple…

Although the number of multilingual (ML) students continues to rise nationally, little scholarly attention has been paid to the education of "rural" ML students and families. There is critical need to better understand who rural ML students are and how to align their linguistic knowledge and strengths with appropriate instructional…

In rural Canada the issue of school closures and consolidations due to low enrollment and heightened fiscal constraints has become a contentious and highly charged issue for citizens and communities. This literature review synthesizes the major effects of school closure on rural communities, identifying economic impacts, social impacts, and…

To assist rural teachers in fostering students' democratic skills and dispositions, this article examines the convergence of literature on citizenship education, rural communities, and rural education and extrapolates the challenges and possibilities of rural citizenship education for proactive democratic life. Four assertions are elicited from a…

The recent legislation calls for attention to be given to rural education. Although the minority of the Georgia population lives in rural areas, school counselors play many roles in the lives of students in rural areas due to limited resources. This review summarizes the current literature on strategies utilized by school counselors in rural…

Virtual reality is an emerging technology that has resulted in rapid expansion in the development of virtual immersive environments for use as educational simulations in schools, colleges and universities. This article presents an overview of virtual reality, describes a number of applications currently being used by special educators for…

School completion has been hailed by many as the 'holy grail' of Indigenous education, and 42% remote-living Indigenous students now attain year 12 completion each year. But for a range of complex reasons, only 60% of these graduates translate this achievement into further engagement in study, training or employment. This systematic literature…

Rural areas in many parts of the U.S. experience population decline from outmigration. Geographic mobility has long been a contributing factor to the social and economic instability of rural communities; high-achieving and ambitious youth are inclined to leave rural areas to take advantage of the expansive economic opportunities and cultural and…

This literature review examines the significant factors that contribute to low mathematics achievement among indigenous populations in Western Australia and the proposed solutions. All authors suggested that geographic location, or remoteness, cause significant problems for student achievement. Factors such as teacher inexperience, lack of skills,…

Rigorous research on alternative high schools for at-risk students is extremely limited, especially for rural areas. There are case studies and descriptive reports of successful programs for rural students whose needs are not met in traditional schools. In general, these programs share the same characteristics as those found in urban areas. Some…

Presents the results of a qualitative study of the experiences of rural school counselors. Asserts that rural school counselors encounter unique circumstances warranting consideration in counselor education programs. Suggests the development of practicums and internships in rural settings, exposure to relevant literature pertaining to rural…

The consolidation of rural schools in the United States has been a controversial topic for policy-makers, school administrators, and rural communities since the 1800s. At issue in the consolidation movement have been concerns of efficiency, economics, student achievement, school size, and community identity. Throughout the history of schooling in…

Economic restructuring, low wages, unemployment, outmigration, and high poverty rates affect rural and small-town schools, which enroll nearly 40 percent of the school-age population. Increasing proportions of rural school enrollments are children at risk and in need of special programs. (SK)

During the 1980s in the province of Saskatchewan there have been many initiatives from government, trustee and teacher organizations, universities, and school systems to respond to dramatic changes in rural school communities. Between 1979 and 1987 rural schools experienced a decline in student enrollment of 12%. To deal with the changing profiles…