How to support rural education: Rural researchers explore challenges and address solutions

Helping rural communities thrive requires resources from multiple places, but reinforcing the depth and accessibility of rural education is one of the most basic ways to support rural America. Some of that foundation is being built through research.

"The Rural Educator’s latest issue spotlights critical topics – showing just how vital rural research and community engagement are to the future of rural schools," reports Lane Wendell Fischer for The Daily Yonder. "We selected four articles to highlight the breadth and scope of research done to improve rural education."

Some rural places have been busy building learning pipelines for principals. Leaders at the University of Tennessee developed the Tennessee Rural Principals Network to address the lack of continuous professional development for rural principals, Fischer explains. "Researchers conducted interviews with 12 principals who participated in TRPN’s learning network, mentoring, and coaching. Participants lauded the program’s ability to connect rural principals. . . so they could share their knowledge and experiences to confront issues in the rural context."

Researcher Jana Stone, who is from rural Wyoming, is "examining how women in [educational] roles define leadership and whether their definitions align with the opportunities available to them within their communities," Fischer writes. "Stone hopes to offer a nuanced exploration of the challenges Appalachian women face when seeking leadership positions in their communities. . . . By understanding the specific obstacles faced by women in these communities, educational institutions can tailor their training programs to better equip female leaders for success in rural settings."

How to staff, develop and support mental health care in rural education is a challenge researcher Elaine S. Belansky is exploring in Colorado. "Belansky and her colleagues developed and tested several strategies aimed at recruiting and retaining mental health professionals in rural areas," Fischer reports. "One initiative is a rural immersion program for graduate students enrolled in school counseling or psychology programs. The program provides students with a firsthand experience of life in rural communities, exposing them to the unique rewards and challenges of working in these settings."

Providing support for parents is also being looked at by some rural education researchers. Carol Cutler White coauthored an article and research that looked at "an equally important aspect of rural education: college access for Black students in rural Mississippi," Fischer writes. "One of the key findings of White’s study is that parents do not view teachers or school counselors as important for making college possible. . . . To address these challenges, the article advocates for more robust community outreach efforts aimed directly at rural parents."