Author: Craig B. Howley
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Rural schools
Languages : en
Pages : 26
Book Description
This paper uses data from a survey of k-12 unit schools to fashion a measure of small school sustainability and relate it to variables pertinent to the rural context. Drawing on definitions of sustainable development and sustainable agriculture, this study proposes sustainability as a concept appropriate to schooling in general, and to small rural schools in specific. Data analysis is illustrative and exploratory. Superintendents of 159 school districts containing 205 k-12 schools completed an extensive survey covering demography, educational opportunities, special education, extracurricular activities, staffing, distance learning technology, fiscal practices, community attitudes, and political dilemmas. The first task of exploratory analysis was the classification of 27 variables in the data set as reflecting practices plausibly related to 3 commitments of a centrist definition of sustainability (conservation, stewardship, long-term vitality). Descriptive statistics and a factor analysis describe the dependent variable (sustainability). From the contextual data provided by superintendents, 13 possible independent variables were selected and then narrowed to 8. These predictor variables explained 40 percent and 15 percent of the variance in sustainability in k-12 schools in multi-school districts and single-school districts, respectively. The differences between these two groups related principally to "economy of place," a composite variable of geographic location, economic base, local control, and local fiscal contribution. Analyses suggest sustainability can be related to features of the rural circumstance. Recommendations for further work are included. Contains 29 references. (Sv).
Sustainable Small Schools in the Rural U.S.
Author: Craig B. Howley
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Rural schools
Languages : en
Pages : 26
Book Description
This paper uses data from a survey of k-12 unit schools to fashion a measure of small school sustainability and relate it to variables pertinent to the rural context. Drawing on definitions of sustainable development and sustainable agriculture, this study proposes sustainability as a concept appropriate to schooling in general, and to small rural schools in specific. Data analysis is illustrative and exploratory. Superintendents of 159 school districts containing 205 k-12 schools completed an extensive survey covering demography, educational opportunities, special education, extracurricular activities, staffing, distance learning technology, fiscal practices, community attitudes, and political dilemmas. The first task of exploratory analysis was the classification of 27 variables in the data set as reflecting practices plausibly related to 3 commitments of a centrist definition of sustainability (conservation, stewardship, long-term vitality). Descriptive statistics and a factor analysis describe the dependent variable (sustainability). From the contextual data provided by superintendents, 13 possible independent variables were selected and then narrowed to 8. These predictor variables explained 40 percent and 15 percent of the variance in sustainability in k-12 schools in multi-school districts and single-school districts, respectively. The differences between these two groups related principally to "economy of place," a composite variable of geographic location, economic base, local control, and local fiscal contribution. Analyses suggest sustainability can be related to features of the rural circumstance. Recommendations for further work are included. Contains 29 references. (Sv).
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Rural schools
Languages : en
Pages : 26
Book Description
This paper uses data from a survey of k-12 unit schools to fashion a measure of small school sustainability and relate it to variables pertinent to the rural context. Drawing on definitions of sustainable development and sustainable agriculture, this study proposes sustainability as a concept appropriate to schooling in general, and to small rural schools in specific. Data analysis is illustrative and exploratory. Superintendents of 159 school districts containing 205 k-12 schools completed an extensive survey covering demography, educational opportunities, special education, extracurricular activities, staffing, distance learning technology, fiscal practices, community attitudes, and political dilemmas. The first task of exploratory analysis was the classification of 27 variables in the data set as reflecting practices plausibly related to 3 commitments of a centrist definition of sustainability (conservation, stewardship, long-term vitality). Descriptive statistics and a factor analysis describe the dependent variable (sustainability). From the contextual data provided by superintendents, 13 possible independent variables were selected and then narrowed to 8. These predictor variables explained 40 percent and 15 percent of the variance in sustainability in k-12 schools in multi-school districts and single-school districts, respectively. The differences between these two groups related principally to "economy of place," a composite variable of geographic location, economic base, local control, and local fiscal contribution. Analyses suggest sustainability can be related to features of the rural circumstance. Recommendations for further work are included. Contains 29 references. (Sv).
Sustainable Small Schools: A Handbook For Rural Communities... ED402136... United States Department Of Education
Author: United States. Office of Educational Research and Improvement
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :
Book Description
Sustainable Small Schools
Author: Craig B. Howley
Publisher: Eric Clearinghouse on Rural
ISBN: 9781880785164
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 158
Book Description
This book aims to help parents, community members, and educators find resources, design school options, and take action together to improve small rural schools in ways that meet community and student needs. Chapter 1 discusses the virtues of smallness, outlines basic assumptions about the role and nature of good education, examines the school-community relationship and the need to reestablish parent and community involvement, and underscores the ability of citizens to be educational change agents. Chapter 2 discusses the aims and history of mass schooling in industrial society; social and political forces driving school consolidation; ways to address the "hard" issues of consolidation (course offerings, costs, achievement); and aspects of state policy making. This chapter also lists 29 key studies and literature reviews about school size. Chapter 3 provides examples of strategies to make the rural community the focus of curricula, including community study, the Foxfire approach, and school involvement in local economic development. Chapter 4 describes innovative tactics for organizing rural schools, including the 4-day week, mixed-age (or multigrade) classrooms, and use of electronic technology. Chapter 5 provides strategic and tactical tips for making change happen. Chapter 6 is an annotated bibliography and resource list in eight sections: partnerships between schools and families or communities, coalition building, needs assessment, research on consolidation and school size, innovations featured in the book, rural resources from regional educational laboratories, and tools for finding information. Includes an index. (SV)
Publisher: Eric Clearinghouse on Rural
ISBN: 9781880785164
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 158
Book Description
This book aims to help parents, community members, and educators find resources, design school options, and take action together to improve small rural schools in ways that meet community and student needs. Chapter 1 discusses the virtues of smallness, outlines basic assumptions about the role and nature of good education, examines the school-community relationship and the need to reestablish parent and community involvement, and underscores the ability of citizens to be educational change agents. Chapter 2 discusses the aims and history of mass schooling in industrial society; social and political forces driving school consolidation; ways to address the "hard" issues of consolidation (course offerings, costs, achievement); and aspects of state policy making. This chapter also lists 29 key studies and literature reviews about school size. Chapter 3 provides examples of strategies to make the rural community the focus of curricula, including community study, the Foxfire approach, and school involvement in local economic development. Chapter 4 describes innovative tactics for organizing rural schools, including the 4-day week, mixed-age (or multigrade) classrooms, and use of electronic technology. Chapter 5 provides strategic and tactical tips for making change happen. Chapter 6 is an annotated bibliography and resource list in eight sections: partnerships between schools and families or communities, coalition building, needs assessment, research on consolidation and school size, innovations featured in the book, rural resources from regional educational laboratories, and tools for finding information. Includes an index. (SV)
Small Schools, Education, and the Importance of Community
Author: Tim L. Adsit
Publisher: R&L Education
ISBN: 1610480147
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 211
Book Description
Small Schools, Education, and the Importance of Community focuses on three successful approaches for using the school as a catalyst for community development and revitalization, particularly in rural areas. The strategies also work well in suburban and urban areas. The three approaches described include: leadership by K-12 teachers, administrators, and school boards, particularly in the areas of developing schools as community centers, community as curriculum, and school-based economic development. Succesful case studies are also included.
Publisher: R&L Education
ISBN: 1610480147
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 211
Book Description
Small Schools, Education, and the Importance of Community focuses on three successful approaches for using the school as a catalyst for community development and revitalization, particularly in rural areas. The strategies also work well in suburban and urban areas. The three approaches described include: leadership by K-12 teachers, administrators, and school boards, particularly in the areas of developing schools as community centers, community as curriculum, and school-based economic development. Succesful case studies are also included.
Resources in Education
End of the Road
Author: National Rural Small Schools Task Force
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Rural poor
Languages : en
Pages : 82
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Rural poor
Languages : en
Pages : 82
Book Description
Small Rural Schools in the United States
Author: Faith Dunne
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Rural schools
Languages : en
Pages : 194
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Rural schools
Languages : en
Pages : 194
Book Description
The Link
ERIC Clearinghouse on Rural Education and Small Schools
Author: National Institute of Education (U.S.). Contracts & Grants Management Division
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Education, Rural
Languages : en
Pages : 100
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Education, Rural
Languages : en
Pages : 100
Book Description
Rural Education for the Twenty-first Century
Author: Kai A. Schafft
Publisher: Penn State Press
ISBN: 0271036834
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 330
Book Description
"A collection of essays examining the various social, cultural, and economic intersections of rural place and global space, as viewed through the lens of education. Explores practices that offer both problems and possibilities for the future of rural schools and communities, in the United States and abroad"--Provided by publisher.
Publisher: Penn State Press
ISBN: 0271036834
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 330
Book Description
"A collection of essays examining the various social, cultural, and economic intersections of rural place and global space, as viewed through the lens of education. Explores practices that offer both problems and possibilities for the future of rural schools and communities, in the United States and abroad"--Provided by publisher.