In this paper, we examine engagement with 'the rural context' in Australian education research, focussing on the implications of the signifier 'rural'--in terms of its inclusion or absence. A review of Australian research literature in rural education indicates that the term 'rural' and its synonyms are more often used to denote assumptions of a…

Hundreds of community colleges exist in rural contexts across the United States, yet we know little about the work and career development of the thousands of faculty employed at such institutions. Through a review of current literature, this article demonstrates how faculty at rural community colleges encounter specific factors in their…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how teachers perceive the influence of extrinsic/hygiene and intrinsic/motivation support strategies in improving teacher retention in rural, under-resourced schools in Arizona. Frederick Herzberg's Two Factor Theory of Motivation was the primary theory guiding the study. Data…

The purpose of this research was to examine the impact that school learning environment has on student achievement from the perspective of the school employees. The research was carried out using a mixed methods approach, evaluating historical data to determine relationships between school learning environment and student achievement in two rural…

This phenomenological study explored teacher perceptions of successful recruitment and retention of highly qualified educators in a rural North Texas school district. Interviews were conducted to identify successful recruitment and retention strategies from twelve teachers. Descriptive phenomenology was used to analyze transcribed participant…

This phenomenological study conducted through a CRT lens examined the lived experiences of rural school counselors who implemented or sought to implement antiracist school counseling practices in PK-12 schools. Literature currently exists on the experiences of school counselors implementing antiracist social justice practices (Smith-Durkin, 2022),…

This qualitative study investigated the factors contributing to limited access to Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in rural high schools in the United States. Despite the potential benefits of CTE programs in preparing students for the workforce, studies showed that underrepresented groups have limited access to CTE programs,…

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a framework that is used in many school districts in the state of Florida. When implemented with fidelity, this preventative program is designed to promote a positive climate and culture in schools, with the aim of limiting behavior that distracts or disrupts the learning environment, thus…

Students who are educated by schools in rural areas experienced challenges around the world even before the COVID-19 pandemic, such as lack of resources and inadequate infrastructure (Çiftçi & Cin, 2018; Dube, 2020). The COVID-19 pandemic drew attention to the inequities of the conditions facing students in rural areas (EDC, 2020). These…

Teacher retention continues to be a deeply concerning issue in the United States. The purpose of this case study was to examine the impact of professional development on the retention of novice teachers in two rural school districts in Oklahoma. This case study was viewed through the lens of Bandura's (1977) Self-Efficacy Theory. Purposeful…

Educational leaders have long recognized the certified classroom teacher as the most important factor in student performance and success. In his research article "Teachers Matter: Understanding Teachers' Impact on Student Achievement" for the Rand Corporation, Opper (2019) stated, "When it comes to student performance on reading and…

This invited article comprises three parts that document the history of distance and flexible learning in New Zealand and the professional association DEANZ/FLANZ (Distance Education Association of New Zealand, later known as the Flexible Learning Association of New Zealand), which serves this community. The first part was originally published in…

College completion is an important focus for policy and practice and is impacted by student academic and non-academic factors. Participation in non-classroom activities is well documented to extend positive intellectual, social, and psychosocial outcomes associated with college completion, yet this association is understudied for community college…

A shortage of certified teacher candidates nationwide is especially challenging in the field of special education. U.S. rural school districts are even more impacted due to limited access to universities because of geographical distance. In this program description, we look at the University Louisville's fully online special education alternative…

The United States has become increasingly diverse, but the American professoriate has not kept pace. Nationwide, nearly three quarters of all college faculty are White. That figure is even higher in rural institutions, where minority faculty comprise only 15% of the total. This is problematic because research has shown that students of all races…