Comments for Perkins College Rural Education Summit Blog http://blogs.sfasu.edu/edsummit Mon, 08 Sep 2008 10:15:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on The role of professional organizations and the need to sponsor research in the area of rural education. by ddees http://blogs.sfasu.edu/edsummit/2008/03/01/the-role-of-professional-organizations-and-the-need-to-sponsor-research-in-the-area-of-rural-education/#comment-10 ddees Fri, 28 Mar 2008 14:57:19 +0000 http://blogs.sfasu.edu/edsummit/2008/03/01/the-role-of-professional-organizations-and-the-need-to-sponsor-research-in-the-area-of-rural-education/#comment-10 Here is an article that makes your point...the cultural experience for rural students attempting a college education is much different than their non-rural peers... http://www.psu.edu/dept/jrre/articles/21-6.pdf Here is an article that makes your point…the cultural experience for rural students attempting a college education is much different than their non-rural peers…

http://www.psu.edu/dept/jrre/articles/21-6.pdf

]]> Comment on Educational policy needs for rural school districts. by kroof http://blogs.sfasu.edu/edsummit/2008/03/01/educational-policy-needs-for-rural-school-districts/#comment-9 kroof Fri, 28 Mar 2008 14:45:53 +0000 http://blogs.sfasu.edu/edsummit/2008/03/01/educational-policy-needs-for-rural-school-districts/#comment-9 I couldn't agree more about NCLB being the most detrimental to rural schools. You used the word "culture" in your posting and that is what policy makers often forget; rural is more than a matter of numbers. I couldn’t agree more about NCLB being the most detrimental to rural schools. You used the word “culture” in your posting and that is what policy makers often forget; rural is more than a matter of numbers.

]]> Comment on by srichardson http://blogs.sfasu.edu/edsummit/2008/02/22/4/#comment-8 srichardson Wed, 26 Mar 2008 18:51:02 +0000 http://blogs.sfasu.edu/edsummit/2008/02/22/4/#comment-8 I would like to hear how other districts handle the juggling act students involved in athletic, academic, and agricultural competitions have in addition to their studies. We are a PK-12 district in Texas with approximately 40 high school students. All but one or two are involved in extra curricular activities during spring time. If they compete in a stock show and sports, they can miss weeks at a time, almost. For example, they could miss up to two weeks if they have Regional Cross Country, Tennis, Track, and Golf, plus UIL Academic competition. We try not to limit their participation too much or it could cause one of the programs to collapse. Plus, we then have to coordinate the number of teachers out for the events and subs needed. It gets really "hairy" when teachers who are parents of students want off to watch their child compete. What do other small districts do?? I would like to hear how other districts handle the juggling act students involved in athletic, academic, and agricultural competitions have in addition to their studies. We are a PK-12 district in Texas with approximately 40 high school students. All but one or two are involved in extra curricular activities during spring time. If they compete in a stock show and sports, they can miss weeks at a time, almost. For example, they could miss up to two weeks if they have Regional Cross Country, Tennis, Track, and Golf, plus UIL Academic competition. We try not to limit their participation too much or it could cause one of the programs to collapse. Plus, we then have to coordinate the number of teachers out for the events and subs needed. It gets really “hairy” when teachers who are parents of students want off to watch their child compete. What do other small districts do??

]]> Comment on Consolidation of rural school districts. by carawaykc http://blogs.sfasu.edu/edsummit/2008/03/01/consolidation-of-rural-school-districts/#comment-7 carawaykc Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:31:20 +0000 http://blogs.sfasu.edu/edsummit/2008/03/01/consolidation-of-rural-school-districts/#comment-7 When small school districts are combined, the communities begin to lose their sense of self. Then, as efficacy levels begin to wane in each group, internal conflict becomes external conflict. Although strong leadership helps bridge the gap, there is personal, historical foundation that loses its grip. The results are not always positive. There is also the significant loss of small class size if the consolidation is too large. There are often co-ops that help small school districts economically and systemically such as special-education coops and training coops. These provide small schools with services they might not be able to afford as a single entity, however, in the coop it's possible. The point it, it is possible to achieve cooperative relationships for the benefit of all children without sacrificing the culture and efficacy of each community. When small school districts are combined, the communities begin to lose their sense of self. Then, as efficacy levels begin to wane in each group, internal conflict becomes external conflict. Although strong leadership helps bridge the gap, there is personal, historical foundation that loses its grip. The results are not always positive. There is also the significant loss of small class size if the consolidation is too large. There are often co-ops that help small school districts economically and systemically such as special-education coops and training coops. These provide small schools with services they might not be able to afford as a single entity, however, in the coop it’s possible. The point it, it is possible to achieve cooperative relationships for the benefit of all children without sacrificing the culture and efficacy of each community.

]]> Comment on Consolidation of rural school districts. by RFredrickson http://blogs.sfasu.edu/edsummit/2008/03/01/consolidation-of-rural-school-districts/#comment-6 RFredrickson Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:28:28 +0000 http://blogs.sfasu.edu/edsummit/2008/03/01/consolidation-of-rural-school-districts/#comment-6 I have heard a great deal about what Governonr Huckabee has done for Arkansas with his consolidation of school districts. When I went to research this information, I found a lot of information about this topic that was very slanted. One paper that I found did at least address both sides of the discussion, however, it still remains a position paper. This paper can be found at http://aracre.org/frompunishmenttopartnership.doc I have heard a great deal about what Governonr Huckabee has done for Arkansas with his consolidation of school districts. When I went to research this information, I found a lot of information about this topic that was very slanted. One paper that I found did at least address both sides of the discussion, however, it still remains a position paper. This paper can be found at http://aracre.org/frompunishmenttopartnership.doc

]]> Comment on The role of professional organizations and the need to sponsor research in the area of rural education. by carawaykc http://blogs.sfasu.edu/edsummit/2008/03/01/the-role-of-professional-organizations-and-the-need-to-sponsor-research-in-the-area-of-rural-education/#comment-5 carawaykc Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:24:08 +0000 http://blogs.sfasu.edu/edsummit/2008/03/01/the-role-of-professional-organizations-and-the-need-to-sponsor-research-in-the-area-of-rural-education/#comment-5 Rural schools are facing a community cycle of thought. The community is often cohesive out of necessity. When schools present options that are outside the realm of understanding or experience for that community (i.e. college educating high school grads) the community as a whole must be won to that way of thinking. Otherwise, the children are forced to become bicultural---one culture at school and another at home/in the community. Research needs to focus on the whole community, using the school as the segway. Rural schools are facing a community cycle of thought. The community is often cohesive out of necessity. When schools present options that are outside the realm of understanding or experience for that community (i.e. college educating high school grads) the community as a whole must be won to that way of thinking. Otherwise, the children are forced to become bicultural—one culture at school and another at home/in the community. Research needs to focus on the whole community, using the school as the segway.

]]> Comment on Educational policy needs for rural school districts. by carawaykc http://blogs.sfasu.edu/edsummit/2008/03/01/educational-policy-needs-for-rural-school-districts/#comment-4 carawaykc Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:21:02 +0000 http://blogs.sfasu.edu/edsummit/2008/03/01/educational-policy-needs-for-rural-school-districts/#comment-4 I believe that NCLB is the most detrimental to rural schools. Rural schools are similar in their size and often their economic pool. Past that, the differences run that gammut. What politicians and policy makers in government don't realize is that for each rural school there is a unique culture. Sometimes it is ethnically based, racially based, economically based, etc. Each one is different. It is impossible to link all rural schools to the same accountability system when each is so vastly different! I believe that NCLB is the most detrimental to rural schools. Rural schools are similar in their size and often their economic pool. Past that, the differences run that gammut. What politicians and policy makers in government don’t realize is that for each rural school there is a unique culture. Sometimes it is ethnically based, racially based, economically based, etc. Each one is different. It is impossible to link all rural schools to the same accountability system when each is so vastly different!

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