Exploring the gradient: The economic benefits of ‘nearby’ schools on rural communities

Sipple, John W.; Francis, Joe; Fiduccia, Peter Cody

doi:10.1016/j.jrurstud.2019.02.018

Cited by 30 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Eventually, small schools could lose out to other, better-equipped schools, fuelling school closings. Such closings are already a threat to many rural areas [19] and this trend towards scaling up can have negative consequences for the residential attractiveness of a rural location [14,15]. This is an important finding from our study since smaller schools tend to be located in less populated areas [64,65].…”

Section: Conrads Et Al (2017) Andmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…Since we focus in this study on rural schools, the potential role of schools in a rural context is to be examined first. It is argued in the literature that schools can have an important role in the local economy [14,15]. Furthermore, as meeting places are often scarce in rural areas, schools can also serve as places to socialize [16][17][18].…”

Section: The Role Of Rural Schoolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Bridging Digital Inequalities in Rural Schools in Germany: A Geographical Lottery?

Rundel

Salemink

2021

Education Sciences

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Repeatedly, it has been argued that advancements in digitalisation could be beneficial for rural areas. However, digital inequalities persist and affect rural communities as well. Schools can play a key role in bridging digital inequalities, but little attention has been paid to the specific conditions rural schools find themselves in when facing continuous digital developments. Therefore, we apply the digital inclusion lens and explore the impact of digital developments on rural schools in the German context. In 2019, we conducted 16 in-depth interviews with heads and teachers from rural elementary and secondary schools in Baden-Wurttemberg and Lower Saxony. We found that smaller rural schools especially can experience difficulties and conclude that the contribution of schools to a digital-included society is subject to a geographical lottery. This could eventually increase existing rural–urban digital inequalities and these findings are also relevant in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing a sudden switch to distance learning.

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Section: Conrads Et Al (2017) Andmentioning

confidence: 88%

Section: The Role Of Rural Schoolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bridging Digital Inequalities in Rural Schools in Germany: A Geographical Lottery?

Rundel

Salemink

2021

Education Sciences

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“…Schools can act as engines of economic development, and are also perceived as cradles of community identity (Bard et al 2006; Harmon and Schafft 2009; Sipple et al 2019; Surface 2011). In an email comment, one resident noted, “I’m not wealthy, politically influential or anything special but I love my children and my community and I believe we deserve to be treated fairly and with considerably more respect” (C27).…”

Section: Data Methods and Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Questions may also be raised about the legitimacy of those in control of decisions, such as school boards and other authorities (Blauwkamp et al 2011; Post and Stambach 1999). Inter-community conflict may ensue as concerns are raised about the unequal distribution of benefits and resources among schools and communities within school districts (Bard, Gardner, and Wieland 2006; Sipple, Francis, and Fidducia 2019; Surface 2011; Thompson 1990).…”

Section: Rural School Consolidation and The Politics Of Mitigation An...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Local Response to Forced Adaptation Challenges: Lessons from a Post-flooding School Rebuilding Controversy

Plein

2021

Journal of Applied Social Science

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This study focuses on school rebuilding experiences in a distressed rural county in the wake of severe flooding. While considering scholarly literature, and making use of relevant public records and media coverage, the centerpiece of this qualitative study is an analysis of 391 public comments made in response to proposed rebuilding plans. The study focuses on how the schools rebuilding debate was socially constructed in response to the flood and in a time of growing awareness of climate change. The findings suggest that the debate was framed along lines familiar to rural school closure and consolidation controversies in general and in context of underlying political and social conditions specific to the county. Themes of power and powerlessness, fairness and justice, and community identity and viability were predominant. Specific discussion of climate change and associated themes was notably absent in the public comments. The findings suggest that existing sociopolitical context and policy domains may shape the consideration of new adaptation choices, whether forced by immediate events such as a natural disaster, or influenced by longer term concerns relating to climate change.

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“…Many observers have documented the distinctive and important roles that public schools play in rural communities (Sipple, Francis, & Fiduccia, 2019). Likewise, our findings highlight just how fundamental public schools are to the identity, social engagement, and recreational and cultural activities of rural communities.…”

Section: Taking Stock and Moving Forwardmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rural communities need better state education policies

Arsen¹,

Delpier²,

Gensterblum³

et al. 2021

Phi Delta Kappan

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The specific needs of rural schools and communities have received limited attention from state policy makers, and many state programs have only added to the challenges that school districts in rural areas face. Michigan State University researchers surveyed and interviewed rural superintendents in Michigan to learn more about their situations. Superintendents identified teacher recruitment and retention, the need for mental health services, limited broadband access, and insufficient funding as their most pressing challenges. The researchers note that addressing these challenges will require state leaders to pay specific attention to rural needs and develop rural-conscious education policies.

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Exploring the gradient: The economic benefits of ‘nearby’ schools on rural communities

Cited by 30 publications

References 20 publications

Bridging Digital Inequalities in Rural Schools in Germany: A Geographical Lottery?

Bridging Digital Inequalities in Rural Schools in Germany: A Geographical Lottery?

Local Response to Forced Adaptation Challenges: Lessons from a Post-flooding School Rebuilding Controversy

Rural communities need better state education policies

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