NCLB policy affects rural schools
Myron Mickelson, assistant superintendent for Sevier School District in central Utah, agrees with the concept. "Our challenges may be a little more unique," he said.
The Center on Education Policy, an independent nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., commissioned the report.
CEP President Jack Jennings said the study is meant to shed light on rural issues because it seems urban school districts have gotten a lot of attention in light of NCLB. "Rural districts do have problems with NCLB," Jennings said. "But if they suffer, they suffer quietly."
The study's findings point to rural districts experiencing an achievement gap, as well as challenges with students in poverty and special needs students. Rural districts don't appear to have the racial or ethnic issues of urban districts, Jennings said.
Another issue is the rural districts' smaller enrollment. One student doing poorly in NCLB out of a 500-student school is different than one student failing in a 50-student school. Smaller schools can give students more personal attention, however, Jennings said. "It's a double-edged sword," he said.
Administrators in Utah's rural districts say that while national studies can give an overall picture, specific details can vary depending on area and circumstances.
Those districts spotlighted in the CEP study are in Minnesota, Wyoming, New York, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and Vermont.
Challenges Utah's rural districts are experiencing include a low tax base and difficulties recruiting and retaining teachers, said Glen Taylor, executive director of Central Utah Educational Services. CUES is based in Richfield and represents seven rural school districts: Tintic, Juab, North Sanpete, South Sanpete, Sevier, Piute and Wayne.
Some of the districts have low enrollment, such as Tintic with 240 students, according to the Oct. 1, 2007, count. This compares to larger urban school districts such as Jordan, with 80,190 students, according to state data.
Buildings and facilities tend to be older in rural districts because of the number of federal lands in rural areas that are tax exempt. "There just isn't the same tax base as in urban districts," Taylor said.
Educator expertise in course offerings can be limited in rural districts. For example, a rural teacher may be instructing English, science and band, requiring more preparation work and also resulting in lower specialization. This would compare to an educator in an extremely urban area, who would teach geometry each hour every day, Taylor said.
Recent comments
I think the NCLB should make some kind or reform to help the students...
Susan | Nov. 11, 2008 at 10:46 a.m.
The requirements of NCLB are a proven mathematical impossibility....
Mathematical Impossibility | June 16, 2008 at 9:22 a.m.
Democrats are just as guilty as Republicans for NCLB. Ted Kennedy had...
No it won't | June 11, 2008 at 7:58 a.m.
- Odd Fellows Hall move 6:13 p.m.
- Man charged in child sexual assault 5:43 p.m.
- Jazz in back of line for free agents 5:36 p.m.
- Dining out: Ruth's Diner 5:04 p.m.
- Tactfully bring up plastic surgery 5:04 p.m.
- Malden's craft made good movies 5:04 p.m.
- Megan Joy looks forward to Utah 5:04 p.m.
- Movie listings 5:04 p.m.
- Box office 5:04 p.m.
- Weekend calendar 5:04 p.m.
- Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
- Utah's top 10: Wealth of recreation
- MWC, WAC rushed into BCS
- Restaurant burns in 3-alarm fire
- O'Connor unhappy Fes not with team
- Keeping golf light on the wallet
- Teen injured in fall from waterfall
- River flow marks birth of sanctuary
- Fatigued Jazz no match for Pacers
- Murder charge filed in shooting
- Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
138 - Letters: Palin mistreated
136 - Teachers struggle with district cuts
134 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
112 - 'Tea party' protesters unhappy
107 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Stadium of Fire lights up the 4th
79 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
72 - Millsap not franchise player
70 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70
As more and more dads are put out of work in this economy, I've been...
The night was balmy though buggy at SPOC, the Stansbury Park Observatory...
THis is a great move. Thomas is great at defense and Millsap needs more...
The Jazz need a defensive presence and they need to get rid of Carlos Boozer...
Blake will give the jazz another needed 3 point threat, therefore helping...
What I like about the potential trade is you'd have to assume Portland will...
Portland gets Hinrich from Chicago and Fesenko from Utah. Chicago gets...
about time the Jazz are called to town on this issue lets see if we can trade...
Now, anonymous, you know who I am. I recommend that you read the Book of...
i was a news editor for a houston morning newspaper -- now deceased (thanks...
jazz get: john salmons travis outlaw tyrus thomas nicholas batum bulls...
i would like to get more for Snoozie...However if this brings chemistry think...

