Rural Superintendents as Moral Agents: Responding to Needs of Students Impacted by the Opioid Crisis

• In Event: Intersections of Rural Economics, Health, and Education

Abstract

This study examines rural superintendents’ processes as moral agents. We ask: How do rural superintendents activate their moral agency to respond to the needs of their students (and communities) that have been impacted by the opioid crisis? Using moral literacy as a conceptual framework, we analyze superintendent decision making for addressing ethical dilemmas when responding to student issues related to the opioid crisis. As a qualitative design, we employ primarily a narrative inquiry with a semi-structured protocol to elicit the superintendents’ narratives about the complexity of their human story. Findings reveal several themes, including trauma informed care, coordinating with principals to mobilize services for students suffering from adverse childhood experiences, superintendent’s role versus principal’s role, and school community relations.

Authors

• Charles L. Lowery, Ohio University

• Michael E. Hess, Ohio University

• Claire K. G. Ramsey, Ohio University

• Connor Fewell, DeVry University