A Critical Content Analysis of Rural Education Research Pre- and Post-2016

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 9:45 am - Gold 2
  In Roundtable Session: Modern Emerging Issues in Rural Education

Abstract

The purpose of this mixed method critical literature review is to understand whether and how educational research published since 2016 has shifted in topical focus, rural salience, and criticality. Anticipating a shift following the 2016 election, the review compares two periods of research in rural-specific and all educational journals: 2010-2016 and 2017-2023. Articles in the rural-specific journals are both more rurally salient and critical. In the non-rural-specific general journals, rural salience dropped, and criticality remained about the same (low). While there has been a distinct shift in the numbers of rural studies, relatively few engage the intersections of rurality, identity, politics, and power, limiting new understandings of how these intersections shape the experiences, perspectives, and opportunities of rural youth and families.

Authors

• Karen Eppley, Pennsylvania State University

• Mara C. Tieken, Bates College

• Maya Eppley, Aston Carter