Advancing the Field of Rural Education Research: Research Agendas for Scholars, Practitioners, Policy Makers, and Funders

• In Event: Advancing the Field of Rural Education Research: Research Agendas for Scholars, Practitioners, Policy Makers, and Funders

Abstract

Objectives of the session
The objectives of this session are a) introduce both research agendas; b) provide detailed summaries of data and analysis behind the agendas, and c) provide opportunities for members of the rural education research community to engage in facilitated discourse.
The objective of the Equity and Rural Education team is to present an innovative, transdisciplinary research agenda that centers racial in/equity in rural education. The team, funded by the Spencer Foundation, used community-based participatory research (Leavy, 2017), critical review of research, and critical policy analysis (Author, 2021) to assess the diverse, intersectional landscape of race and rural education across the United States. Note: Initial findings are discussed in Presentations 1 & 2, and all research will be completed in advance of the symposium due to established sponsor deadlines prior to AERA 2023.
The purpose of the NREA research agenda is to develop a new research agenda for scholars and practitioners based on the espoused needs of practitioners and researchers to guide the work of the organization and rural education scholars. The NREA will be advocating for the use of this agenda with national funders, policymakers and other stakeholders in the rural education research community.
Collectively, we believe that participants in the AERA Rural Education Special Interest Group program may be interested in both understanding the agendas and having time to connect and discuss potential directions for their work with others who have similar interests.
Overview of the presentations
Four presentations will frame the collaborative, topic-based discussion to follow. These presentations will provide an overview of a) the methods and data underlying each agenda’s formation; b) the central topics identified as part of the agenda, and c) commentary from practitioners and policymakers gathered as part of the data collection process that speak to the kinds of research that are most useful for them in supporting their practice.
Scholarly or scientific significance
These teams have undertaken comprehensive research to assess the scope and gaps in the field of rural education research. Together, the agendas reflect the most salient issues that rural schools and communities are currently facing as they continue to educate one fifth of American public school students. These agendas depart from previous work, due to their intersectional, transdisciplinary scope on equity and access in rural schools and communities. These findings also signal to the wider field of education that rural educational settings serve a diverse population with needs that are both similar and dissimilar to other educational settings. Furthermore, our session leverages AERA’s strengths as an annual meeting of scholars, allowing potentially isolated rural researchers to forge connections and design potential collaborations.

Structure of the session (90 minutes):
● Welcome: Discussant
● Presentation 1: Understanding the Landscape: Rural-Crit Review of Research
● Presentation 2: Exploring Perceptions of Equity in Rural Education: National Viewpoints
● Presentation 3: Introduction to the NREA 2022-2027 Research Agenda
● Presentation 4: Rural Methodology to inform the Theory-Practice Gap
● Discussant synthesis and facilitated audience discussion
● Closing: Discussant

Authors

• Daniella Hall Sutherland, University of Vermont
  Presenting Author

• Jennifer Laura Seelig, NORC at the University of Chicago
  Presenting Author

• Alex Red Corn, Kansas State University
  Presenting Author

• Loni Crumb, East Carolina University
  Presenting Author

• Erin McHenry-Sorber, West Virginia University
  Presenting Author

• Catharine Biddle, University of Maine
  Presenting Author

• Pamela J. Buffington, Education Development Center, Inc.
  Presenting Author

• Kessa Roberts, Utah State University
  Presenting Author

• Sara Lohrman Hartman, Ohio University
  Presenting Author

• Sarah Schmitt-Wilson, Montana State University
  Presenting Author