Perkins College Rural Education Summit Blog

The following are questions, comments and insights from both the on-site and the on-line summit participants.  We will be asking the appropriate presenter to post her/his responses to this blog.

• Book Larry Bradley recommended: Class and Schools: Using Social, Economic, and Educational Reform to Close the Black-White Achievement Gap by Richard Rothstein
• What was the name of the book that Larry Bradley recommended related to the need for health and social services? What one book would each panelist recommend we read? Richard Rothschild’s case study, Daniel Pink – A Whole New Mind
• Larry Bradley: NCLB is not efficient but, what methods of accountability would you recommend? PS – Thank you for the info regarding re-authorization.
• University Research: What are some recent findings/discoveries in research on rural education that would or could change the way that state and federal policy makers think about rural ed. Policy?
• University Research: what kinds of research questions could scholars investigate if the amount of research funding was increased? And how much money would be needed?
• Could you address the need for resources which gives attention to early childhood education?
• Rachel Tompkins: One of the greatest problems facing our rural communities is they “export their youth.” What suggestions do you have for educators to create incentives for students to either remain or return to their rural community as adults?
• Dr. Tompkins: What are we doing to enhance the needs of the mentally challenged and emotionally fragile children in the schools? It seems that often these children are over-looked in rural schools and that we say, “We don’t have the resources to give them what they need.”
• Thirty years ago I taught as a county itinerant teacher in two small rural schools in Texas. Once concern that I had for the female students in these schools was their limited desire for higher education. I would say that about 95% of the girls wanted to grow up, get married, and have kids – and not always in that order. Do you see this mindset as a current problem in rural schools?
• Panel: Re: Retention: What does the research say are the major reasons for turnover and what is being done to decrease it? (Besides professional development as the panel mentioned?
• Panel: Many associations / organizations are represented here today – What efforts are being made to collaborate in order to provide better support (i.e. grant writing) to rural areas that need help?
• Seth Adams and Susan Luinstra: Right on about allowing independence and creativity in teachers! Dr. Tompkins reported that since 1983 our math and science literacy has flat-lined – what is the solution?
• Mary Kusler: The four day school week and post official health care in offices are innovative solutions – What are some other budget innovations that you see that are successful in reducing costs – It seems that costs are such an issue à What collaboration is taking place to address costs?
• Frank Cantu: How is illegal immigration or immigration issues in general impacting health services?
• Louie Gohmert: The National Forest funds should not be shared with those who are not impacted by the National Forest.  Please let U.S. Rep. Gohmert know that this needs to be changed.  Example Shelbyville ISD and Joaquin ISD in Shelby County share the funds with all the schools in our county and they are not impacted by the Forest. (This was an online question.)
• What do you consider to be some of the most timely policy opportunities – at the national level – that could have the greatest impact on rural schools?
• What differences exist between private and public education in rural communities? Is there research regarding this comparison?
• Is “academic success,” i.e. high school / college grad, the only indicator considered when looking at the success of rural students (or urban for that matter)? What about skilled workers / professions such as plumbers, opticians, public servants, electricians, etc…?
• The National Mathematics Advisory Panel Report that was released this month supports the hiring of mathematics specialists to teach math in the elementary schools. What are your thoughts on this idea with respect to rural schools?
• What recommendations do you have for rural universities in terms of bridging the very personal school community “at home” to the larger community of university life?
• What do you think of requiring a “rural impact statement” or assessment before implementing any new policies or procedures? In health? In education? In social services?
• What do you think of an office of Rural Human Services (Social Services) Policy?
• Is there any rural research funded by HHS – not just for health, but for human services? Which office funds that? What is being done related to human services in rural communities?
• As I see it, rural education is not understood by state or national government. What can be done about this?
• If rural schools go to a four day week to conserve gas – how will that impact the students who receive National School Breakfast and Lunch as their primary source of nutrition?
• Which Texas policies most positively and most negatively currently affect rural schools in Texas?
• What specific strategies are used to make connections between rural schools and universities?