The purpose of this paper is to present an exploration on the response of parents of two rural multigrade schools facing the homeschooling activities in the context of pandemics. To frame a comparative perspective some conceptual work was done about new rurality and family structure before interviewing parents of both schools about distribution of…

This paper uses Franco Berardi's "Futurability" to provide a critical examination of rural education, the manner in which it can limit radical imagination, as well as how it can be shaped to create new possibilities for the future. Using Berardi's theory as a critical lens, the author looks at existing research into rural education,…

During the Obama/Duncan federal education policy era, grant programs emphasized school -- community, and university partnerships to address student needs in high poverty areas. Critics noted the over-representation of urban poverty regions as compared to rural areas. Meanwhile, researchers have contributed insight regarding methods for effective,…

We examine 100 years of rural education research within the context of the demographic, migratory, economic, and social changes that have affected rural America in the past century. We use systematic review of the literature on rural teacher recruitment, retention, and training as a case study for looking at the constancy and change in the…

MetLife has sponsored and Harris Interactive has conducted the annual MetLife Survey of the American Teacher series since 1984 to share the voices of teachers with educators, policymakers and the public. The series examines significant changes and trends over time, highlights important current issues, and explores topics relevant to the future of…

This study explores and evaluates a rural practicum experience for pre-service Master of Arts in Teaching students. Using questionnaires, journal analysis, and interviews we share the experience from pre-service teachers' point of view. We learn about their attitudes about rural schools and rural school students. We asked, "does the…

The purpose of this study was to identify the issues that most affect Minnesota's rural public school administrators as they attempt to fulfill the mandates required from state legislation and communities. A second purpose was to identify exemplary practices valued by individual Minnesota rural schools and districts. Electronic surveys were sent…

Reviews federal efforts to develop a rural education federal agenda, five basic problems of rural areas which lend themselves to federal solutions, Department of Education proposals for fiscal year 1982, significant federal responses/already in progress, and strengths and advantages of rural schools. (AN)

The factors of people, technology, structure, and task provide a sociotechnical model for understanding the essential elements of schools as organizations. Schools can be understood as cultures and managed as such. Effective schools focus on a task-oriented organizational culture that meaningfully involves all participants in the key elements of…

In 1989, the Federal Interagency Committee on Education (FICE) developed an agenda for research on rural education that included 6 priority topics containing 44 areas of research and development. In an effort to validate, update, and expand the contents of that agenda, a three-round modified Delphi study was carried out with 29 members of the…

Thirty-three member schools of the Organization of Rural Oklahoma Schools cooperated in the creation of six school networks that participated in a series of electronic "field trips" for rural students. The field trips were actually conference telephone calls that allowed students and teachers to talk with experts in areas such as…

A survey examined the mission, operation, and services of statewide formal networks addressing the concerns of rural school systems. Of 21 known state rural education associations, responses were received from 10: Arizona, California, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New York, Ohio, and Texas. Respondents indicated that, in general,…

The symposium papers presented in this publication are based on a continuing program of research in ten rural school districts. The program, "Project Rural," is part of the Experimental Schools program, which emphasizes a holistic approach to educational change--one requiring simultaneous change in curriculum, staff development, community…

Much progress has been made in the quest for better rural schools. In 1977, People United for Rural Education (PURE) began its work as an advocate for rural education and small schools. In 1979, PURE was notified that it was to receive the National Volunteer Activist Award. In 1980, the Rural/Regional Education Association became the Rural…

Gifted and talented children have cognitive and affective characteristics that set them apart from their more typical classmates. These characteristics may be particularly problematic in rural areas where stability, traditional values, small schools, and self-sufficiency can be at once a barrier and a support. This paper discusses the…