Examining and Rethinking the Complexities and Challenges of Rural Education

Session Type: Invited Speaker Session

Abstract

This session aims to shine a light on the dire needs of rural education. Each of the four panelists interweaves the following themes into their presentations: 1) the typology issues of rurality, and the negative stereotypes often applied to rural students and communities; 2) the need to give appropriate attention to urban, suburban and rural educational research; 3) the diversity of the student population, both strengths and challenges, curricular issues (STEM), learning disabilities and gifted education, social and physical distance, resource isolation; and finally 4) the infrastructure, jobs, and capitals of rural education. This panel highlights promising areas of scholarship and practice as well as the critical issues rural educators confront.

Sub Unit

• AERA Presidential Session

Chair

• Sabrina Klein, University of California - Los Angeles

Participants

• Catharine Biddle, University of Maine

• Francisco Guajardo, The University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley

• Nicholas Hillman, University of Wisconsin - Madison

• Mara Casey Tieken, Bates College

• Sheneka M. Williams, Michigan State University

Discussant

• Susan C. Faircloth, Colorado State University