ERIC Number: EJ987612
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0273-446X
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Recommendations from the North Star State: Rural Administrators Speak out
Williams, Julia M.; Nierengarten, Gerry
Rural Educator, v33 n1 p15-24 Fall 2011
Administrators in America's rural school districts are uniquely challenged to meet increased achievement expectations despite decreasing resources. Mandated reform initiatives, population decline, and the complex formulas used to distribute tax-based funding have disproportionately affected rural schools. In this mixed-methods study, researchers first surveyed K-12 administrators and then conducted focus groups across six regions in Minnesota to determine the nature of the challenges specific to rural administrators and to document their perceived needs for interventions, training, and policy changes. The study identified two categories of common concern: student achievement and fiscal management. Within the category of student achievement, administrators identified four areas of need for assistance: testing and adequate yearly progress, achievement for all, staff and professional development, and data analysis. Within the category of fiscal management, needs for assistance included balancing budgets and transportation/sparsity policy. Analysis of the data gathered indicates statewide implications for professional development and policy review. (Contains 2 tables.)
Descriptors: Academic Achievement, Educational Indicators, Federal Programs, Educational Improvement, Professional Development, Data Analysis, Elementary Secondary Education, Rural Schools, Focus Groups, School Administration, Funding Formulas, Educational Finance, Financial Support, Educational Change, Surveys, Administrators, Population Trends, Rural Population, Intervention, Student Transportation, School Districts, Mixed Methods Research, Educational Policy
National Rural Education Association. Web site: http://www.nrea.net
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Minnesota
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A