Rural School Settings Research Articles

Toward promoting resilience of gender and sexually diverse youth in South African rural school ecologies

IntroductionGender and sexually diverse youth in schools experience exclusion, which detrimentally affects their ability to cope with the consequences of minority stress and may lead to absenteeism or dropout. The purpose of the study is to highlight a pressing need for inclusive policies and practices to aid in enabling LGBTQ+ learners in schools.MethodsThis paper explores how multiple systems intersect to promote a sense of inclusion and engagement within the school environment and impact the resilience of LGBTQ+ youth in a rural school setting. This paper presents findings from a qualitative interpretive phenomenological study with twelve purposively selected self-identifying LGBTQ+ youth residing in a rural South African community. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews.ResultsThis study shows the significance of teacher emotional support, addressing homophobic bullying, moving away from gender-based uniform prescriptions and designating some school bathrooms as gender-neutral to LGBTQ+ learners' resilience.ConclusionThe findings of this study demonstrate how certain schools in rural settings employ innovative methods to support LGBTQ+ learners despite limited resources and the absence of comprehensive, inclusive policies on gender and sexually diverse learners. The findings have implications for LGBTQ+ learners in rural community schools worldwide. Future longitudinal studies could focus on how school ecologies inclusive of teachers, parents and the wider community can foster the resilience of LGBTQ+ learners, particularly in rural community contexts.

Evaluation of Anxiety and Depression Among Orphan and Non-Orphan Adolescents in a Rural Residential School of Maharashtra

Abstract Background: Adolescence marks a critical stage of development characterized by profound physical, emotional, and social changes. This study explores the prevalence of anxiety and depression among orphan and non-orphan adolescents in a rural residential school setting, aiming to identify associated factors. Method: A community-based cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 100 adolescents (50 orphans and 50 non-orphans) aged 10-19 years in Warudi, Jalna from August 10 to October 10, 2022. Institutional ethical approval and written informed consent were obtained. Data collection included DSM-5 criteria for anxiety and depression assessment, using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). Additional parameters assessed were sleep disturbances, academic performance, social interactions, duration of stay in the residential school, and type of orphanhood. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 21, with qualitative parameters presented as percentages and the chi-square test used for comparisons (p<0.05 considered significant). Result: The study revealed notable disparities in mental health outcomes between orphan and non-orphan adolescents. Orphans, predominantly categorized as double orphans (54%), exhibited higher prevalence rates of anxiety (46%) and depression (30%) compared to non-orphans (anxiety 14%, depression 12%). Factors such as prolonged stays in residential schools and the duration of orphanhood were significantly associated with heightened levels of anxiety and depression among orphans. Conclusion: Orphan adolescents residing in rural residential school face significantly elevated risks of anxiety and depression compared to their non-orphan peers. The findings highlight the urgent need for targeted psychological support and interventions tailored to the unique challenges of orphanhood, including the prolonged institutional care and the emotional impact of parental loss. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to assess the effectiveness of interventions and track mental health trajectories over time.

Evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of a co-designed physical activity intervention for rural middle schoolers: a pilot study

BackgroundLack of physical activity is a concern for children across diverse backgrounds, particularly affecting those in rural areas who face distinct challenges compared to their urban counterparts. Community-derived interventions are needed that consider the unique context and additional physical activity barriers in under-resourced rural settings. Therefore, a prospective pre-post pilot/feasibility study of Hoosier Sport was conducted over 8-weeks with 6th and 7th grade children in a low-socioeconomic rural middle school setting. The primary objective of the present study was to assess trial- and intervention-related feasibility indicators; and the secondary objective was to collect preliminary assessment data for physical activity levels, fitness, psychological needs satisfaction, and knowledge of physical activity and nutrition among participating youth.MethodsThis prospective 8-week pilot/feasibility study took place in the rural Midwestern United States where twenty-four middle school students participated in a mixed-methods pre-post intervention during physical education classes. The intervention included elements like sport-based youth development, individualized goal setting, physical activity monitoring, pedometer usage, and health education. Data were collected at baseline (T1) and post-intervention (T3), with intermediate measures during the intervention (T2). Qualitative data were integrated through semi-structured interviews. Analytical methods encompassed descriptive statistics, correlations, repeated measures ANOVA, and thematic analysis.ResultsKey findings indicate robust feasibility, with intervention-related scores (FIM, AIM, and IAM) consistently surpassing the “good” threshold and 100% retention and recruitment success. Additionally, participants showed significant physical performance improvement, shifting from the 25th to the 50th percentile in the 6-minute walk test (p < 0.05). Autonomy and competence remained high, reflecting positive perceptions of program practicality. Nutrition knowledge, initially low, significantly improved at post-intervention (p < 0.01), highlighting the efficacy of targeted nutritional education in Hoosier Sport.ConclusionsThis study pioneers a community-engaged model for physical activity intervention in under-resourced rural settings. Positive participant feedback, coupled with improvements in physical fitness and psychosocial factors, highlights the potential of the co-design approach. The findings offer valuable insights and a practical template for future community-based research, signaling the promising impact of such interventions on holistic well-being. This research lays the foundation for subsequent phases of the ORBIT model, emphasizing collaborative, community-driven approaches to address the complex issue of declining physical activity levels among adolescents.

Rural and Urban Kindergarten Teachers’ Self-Efficacy: Implications for the Implementation of the Standard-Based Curriculum in Ghana

The study examined rural and urban kindergarten teachers’ teaching efficacy and its implications for the implementation of the standard-based curriculum in Ghana. It also examined whether kindergarten teachers’ teaching efficacy differs in terms of teaching experience. It also sought to determine the influence of gender, academic and professional qualification, job satisfaction, and teaching and learning resources on teaching efficacy. The Teacher Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES) was used to collect online data from 375 kindergarten teachers drawn from rural and urban school settings. Findings from the study showed that kindergarten teachers in rural school settings reported higher levels of teaching efficacy in the area of instruction and pupil engagement than their urban counterparts. Again, rural and urban kindergarten teachers’ teaching efficacy differs across the different categories of teaching experience in areas of instruction and engagement but not for classroom management. The findings further showed that job satisfaction did not influence kindergarten teachers’ teaching efficacy. It is concluded that the Ghana Education Service should organize continuing professional development programmes to boost and sustain kindergarten teachers’ self-efficacy in areas of instruction, classroom management, and engagement. Implications of the study’s findings to research and practice are also discussed.

Examining implementation determinants of a culturally grounded, school-based prevention curriculum in rural Hawai'i: A test development and validation study.

This study examined the implementation determinants of a culturally grounded, school-based drug prevention curriculum in rural Hawai'i. Test development and validation procedures were used to examine the impact of implementation barriers and facilitators of the curriculum in public or charter middle/intermediate schools on Hawai'i Island. A five-phase, mixed-methods approach toward test development and validation was used. These phases included item generation (Phase 1), item refinement and selection (Phase 2), item reduction (Phase 3), reliability testing (Phase 4), and validity testing (Phase 5). Educational administrators, teachers, and staff employed by the Hawai'i State Department of Education (HIDOE) participated in the study. Phases 1 and 2 yielded 50 implementation barriers and 27 implementation facilitators that were evaluated by 204 HIDOE administrators, teachers, and staff. Factor analysis of the barrier items indicated a four-factor solution: (1) Innovation Barriers, (2) HIDOE State-Level Barriers, (3) Teacher-Level Barriers, and (4) Administrator-Level Barriers. Mean comparisons indicated that several barrier and facilitator items differentiated teachers from administrators in the sample. This study contributes to the implementation measurement literature, specifically in the areas of mental health and substance use. It also highlights the importance of addressing multiple contextual levels in the implementation of culturally focused prevention interventions. Examining Implementation Barriers and Facilitators for School-Based Prevention in Hawai'i. Plain Language Summary Compared with other major ethnic groups, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) youth have substantially higher rates of substance use and higher adverse mental and physical health effects related to their use. Despite these disparities, educational and community-based practitioners have long struggled with implementing and sustaining promising substance use interventions for NHPI youth. This study contributes to our understanding of measuring implementation barriers and facilitators for substance use prevention for NHPI youth in rural school settings. It contributes to the field of health disparities and health equity promotion, by addressing calls for research to understand factors affecting successful implementation of prevention programs. This is critical toward achieving health equity for underrepresented and vulnerable populations, such as NHPI and rural youth.

EFL Students’ Learning Strategies During Covid-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Study Between Urban and Rural School Settings

The present research is a descriptive quantitative research design using a survey method. There are 30 items adapted and modified from the SILL (Strategy Inventory for Language Learning) theory used to measure students' strategies in learning English. There are two senior high school (SMA) and 2 junior high school (SMP) contexts or equivalent as the subject of this research, namely students who study in the city of Mataram (urban school setting) and outside the city of Mataram (rural school setting). There were 112 students who participated in this study. Data analysis was carried out by calculating the total score of each question to determine the percentage level of relevance of the statement to the student's condition. The results of this study indicate that the English learning strategies of students in the city and outside the city are almost the same where they use the six learning strategies. Affective strategies and metacognitive strategies remained as the most favorable learning strategies for the EFL students.

Voicing green learning in rural areas through service-learning: A participatory action research study

The paper explores the role of service-learning pedagogy in fostering green learning and skills, particularly in rural school setting. By triangulating data from photovoice, dyadic interviews, and reflective observations, the authors implemented an action research study, involving sixteen students from grades 5 to 8 in a Romanian public school. Initial and final interviews explored the participants' perceptions and strategies toward green learning, while photovoice documented their learning process. Observational tools further enriched data collection. The study found service-learning enhanced enjoyment, deep learning strategies, and a sense of community in multi-ethnic classrooms. Thus, experiential learning pedagogies coupled with participant research methods can significantly bolster green learning and competences.

Understanding the Experiences of Rural School Counselors Implementing Trauma-Informed Practices

School counselors are trained to address a wide range of student needs, including academic progress, college and career readiness, and social emotional wellness. Recent public health issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the opioid crisis, and racial violence have created an increased need for and focus on the social emotional work of school counselors. Trauma-informed practices (TIP) have become key strategies for school counselors interested in addressing student trauma within a school context. Per the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), school counselors are ethically responsible for utilizing evidence-based methods to address the holistic needs of students, especially when implementing trauma-informed care. Previous research indicates that rural schools, and by extension the school counselors within, generally feel unprepared and under-resourced to address crises or trauma. However, little is known about the implementation of TIP within rural school settings or by rural school counselors. Given that approximately one-fifth of the United States’ child population occupies rural schools, and rural communities have been found to experience more intense, frequent and specialized forms of trauma, it is critical to understand the experiences of rural school counselors addressing trauma within their schools. Therefore, this phenomenological investigation focused on exploring the lived experience of implementing TIP for eight rural school counselors across the United States. Three themes emerged: emotional experience of implementing TIP, support for implementing TIP, and practical logistics for implementing TIP. Considerations for enhancing the supports and addressing the challenges of TIP implementation for rural school counselors are discussed, as well as suggestions for future research.

Teaching with Controversial Texts in Rural School Settings

The study examines data from surveys and interviews with educators in rural school settings in the Midwest and their use of texts that are deemed controversial with middle and high school students. Qualitative research was conducted with research participants to document how they defined controversial literature, how they used the literature in their school settings, and how they navigated opportunities and challenges for themselves and their students. Extensive quotations from the research participants are used to demonstrate how they define controversial texts, how they use strong pedagogical processes to assist students in learning about specific topics, and important themes about why they continue to teach using controversial literature. In the process of conducting the research, the investigators learned about how voice and choice are used with students for book selection and research topics to assist the teachers in examining topics that can be viewed by those in rural settings as controversial. While acknowledging that some texts could not be used for direct instruction in their setting, each of the research participants believed it was their responsibility to continue using most of the titles of texts cited, assisting students as they researched thought-provoking topics, and discussing the content in order for students to learn the most possible about race, cultures, ethnicities, and other sometimes controversial topics. The educators’ thinking about the research topic and its importance for “growing good humans” is a critical construct stemming from the study.

The effects of parental involvement on children’s education

The Indonesian government through the Ministry of Education has begun to emphasize the importance of parental involvement and community participation in children’s education. However, there is a lack of research on parental involvement in Indonesia. The aim of the study is to provide insights into parental involvement in children’s education in urban and rural areas in Java, Indonesia. The sample comprised 2151 second to sixth graders in 18 schools in three regions, DKI Jakarta, West Java, and East Java. Six aspects of parental involvement were measured using an adapted version of Epstein’s parental involvement framework. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine the effects of the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics and different types of parental involvement on children’s academic achievements as measured by the most recent Indonesian language and Mathematics grades. The finding shows that Indonesian parents are more strongly involved in their children’s learning at home than at school. Parents show higher levels of involvement when mothers had higher levels of education, in particular with respect to parenting, communicating, volunteering, and learning at home. With regards to school settings, parents in urban schools show higher levels of involvement than parents in rural schools. In urban schools, highly educated parents were more involved in volunteering, decision making and collaborating with community than low educated parents. In contrast to urban schools, in the rural school setting, parents with low education show higher involvement than their highly educated counterparts. Volunteering and learning at home have small positive effects on students’ mathematics achievement. Parenting and learning at home show small positive effects on students’ Indonesian language achievement.

Factors impacting implementation of nutrition and physical activity policies in rural schools

BackgroundRural Latino children have higher rates of obesity compared to non-Latino Whites. Schools are in a unique position to address rural childhood obesity through policies. While evidence exists on factors that promote or impede school-based physical activity (PA) and nutrition policies, only a fraction has been in rural communities. This study seeks to understand 1) the knowledge and perceptions of school nutrition and PA policies and 2) barriers and facilitators to their implementation among rural school stakeholders from Washington State.MethodsWe conducted 20 semi-structured, in-depth interviews with school stakeholders (e.g., principals and school nutrition directors) from four K–12 school districts in the Lower Yakima Valley of Eastern Washington State. Thematic analysis was conducted using inductive, constant comparison approach to identify themes around knowledge and perceptions of policies and barriers and facilitators of policy implementation.ResultsThree main themes were identified: perceptions and knowledge of school PA and nutrition policies, barriers to policy implementation, and facilitators of policy implementation. The majority of stakeholders were supportive of school-based policies promoting PA and a healthy diet, even when lacking a specific understanding of these policies. Four subthemes were identified as barriers to policy implementation: viewing PA as a low priority, misuse of recess time, funding constraints, and lack of strong leadership. Facilitators of implementation included strong leadership at the district level, creating healthy norms through school-community linkages and pooling community resources to improve nutrition and PA among children.ConclusionsSchools provide a unique setting to promote healthy diet and PA behaviors among children and their families. Study findings show that while knowledge of specific nutrition and PA policies may vary, support for such policies were high among rural stakeholders. Study findings can inform policy development and support strategies for policy implementation in rural settings. Future studies may want to examine whether implementation of strategies addressing the barriers and enhancing facilitators lead to success in rural school settings.

Study of the dietary and anthropometric profile and identification of determining factors in adolescents at school in the Khemisset region of Morocco.

The nutritional status and dietary diversity of adolescents play a crucial role in their growth, development, and overall health. The aim of this study is to assess the nutritional status and determine the dietary diversity score in urban and rural school settings among Moroccan adolescents. We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in public schools in Khemisset in the municipality of Sidi Allal El Bahraoui, Morocco. We used a questionnaire to collect sociodemographic data and a 24- hour dietary recall to calculate the dietary diversity score. This study included 215 students. The mean BMI was 21.06 ± 0.23 kg/m2, with 60.8% of students having a normal BMI, 24.5% being underweight, 11.8% overweight, and 2.8% obese. The mean dietary diversity score was 5.672±0.956, with 21% having a low dietary diversity score, 12% having a high score, and 67% having a moderate score. Factors associated with nutritional status were place of residence, type of delivery, and age, while the dietary diversity score was associated with school level and BMI of adolescents. The data from the study show that the diet of adolescents in the Khemisset region of Morocco is moderately diversified. In addition, the prevalence of underweight and overweight was worrying, underlining the need for multiple strategic interventions to improve the health status of adolescents.

Picture book reading on the development of preschoolers in rural areas of China: Effects on language, inhibition, and theory of mind.

Studies have shown that book reading intervention may scaffold children's language development. However, whether book reading interventions are equally effective for children's cognitive development in a Chinese rural school setting remains to be explored. We conducted a four-month book reading intervention to address these issues in rural Chinese areas. A total of three hundred twenty-one children aged between 2.56 and 6.47 years (M = 4.66 ages, SD = 0.80) were assigned to three groups as follows: (a) control group without donated picture books; (b) active reading control group with donated picture books; and (c) intervention group with a 4-month instructed picture book reading intervention. The findings indicate that the available books could produce significant positive changes in the development of receptive language (F (1,191) = 14.46, p < 0.01) and inhibitory control (F (1,190) = 7.64, p = 0.01) of rural children. However, a 4-month intervention was noneffective at boosting participants' performance on these tasks (F (1,203) = 0.07~2.73, p > 0.10). The results discussed the possible explanations, implications for behavioral intervention researchers, and suggestions for social service organizations or public institutions.

Social economic predictors of parental involvement in rural schools in Kenya: implications on teaching and learning

ABSTRACT This study critically investigates the social economic predictors of parental involvement in rural schools in Kenya and its implications on teaching and learning. Education is a major foundation for socioeconomic growth and the provision of quality education. However, teaching and learning are affected by various socioeconomic factors that this study seeks to investigate. Among the social economic predictors, family size, household income level and parents’ level of education were found to significantly influence teaching and learning outcomes in Kenya’s rural schools. Large families with small household income face challenges in paying school-related levies; acquire learning and teaching materials, book for extra learning activities and support co-curricular activities for their children. The article also presents the policy implications of the study, particularly on issues related to family size and household income level in parents’ level of education in rural school settings.

The Station: A Model for Content Co-Design with Rural Youth

We describe the design, modification, implementation, and preliminary research of a place-based serious AR (augmented reality) application in a rural school setting. The Station is a collaboratively designed iPhone app that allows players to explore the world around them through educational quests. It links the virtual gameplay to real-world locations and discovery via GPS. The quest content is user generated through a companion editor, a web-based platform that allows anyone to design and author their own quest. When used in a student context, the editor allows student users to move from passive consumers of game content to active creators. We follow a group of ninth-grade students from rural western Maine who worked to create content for The Station in collaboration with Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance, who facilitated and researched the project. Youth participants were able to create game content for a real-world location that combined historical, geographical, and scientific knowledge while also learning the importance of storytelling. During our observations of the pilot deployment of this program, key elements emerged that should be incorporated as part of the co-design process for users to successfully create content for The Station. Our model can be useful in engaging youth as place-based content creators in both informal and formal education settings.

Revisiting Rural Education Access

Drawing on a contemporary construction of rurality, which acknowledges rural education amplified by technology, we capture two examples where online mathematics resources were used in a rural middle school setting. As such we examine issues and consider rural education access as it is changed with technology towards a more nuanced understanding of rural contexts necessary to inform future rural education policy, practice, and research.

Ethnic identity, perceived classmate support and general self-efficacy in ethnic minority adolescents in rural Chinese school settings

This study examines the associations among ethnic identity, perceived classmate support, and general self-efficacy in a group of hard-to-reach Yi ethnic minority adolescents. The sample comprises youths who have suffered from poverty and parental loss (n = 450, age 14–17, male = 23.3%) in Liangshan, rural China. Using Phinney's ethnic identity development theory, we take Yi adolescents as a case to conceptualize ethnic identity exploration and commitment as cultural assets that link the association between perceived classroom support and general self-efficacy. We used the structural equation modelling (SEM) technique to test our hypotheses. Age, gender, parental loss, and posttraumatic stress (PTSD) risk were included as covariates. Our findings show that: (1) Perceived classmate support was positively associated with general self-efficacy, but the effect was attenuated when ethnic identity exploration and commitment were included in the model; (2) Perceived classmate support was positively associated with ethnic identity exploration and commitment; (3) Ethnic identity exploration was positively related to general self-efficacy while classmate support was not, when accounting for the shared relationships among all three variables; (4) No associations were found between ethnic identity commitment and general self-efficacy; (5) The covariate of PTSD risk was positively associated with ethnic identity exploration and commitment. Our findings suggest a possible mediating role of ethnic identity exploration between perceived classmate support and general self-efficacy, indicating an avenue for future research. These results shift current narratives; from seeing ethnic minorities as vulnerable populations towards advocating for classmate support and ethnic identity as assets for positive development. The theoretical contributions of this study are also discussed.

Describing Changes in Telebehavioral Health Utilization and Services Delivery in Rural School Settings in Pre- and Early Stages of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

Receiving treatment for behavioral health disorders remains problematic due to profound provider shortages. Telebehavioral health services are effective for providing quality care, but research literature on these services in schools is limited. Data were collected during Fall 2019 and Spring 2020 semesters on all students receiving telebehavioral health services from 15 school-based telehealth programs across the U.S. From Fall 2019 to Spring 2020, 62 schools providing services during both periods increased the number of students served from 396 to 745, increased the average number of encounters per student from 2.4 to 4.1, increased the percentage of encounters delivered by clinical social workers, mental health counselors, and clinical psychologists (all p < .001), and increased the use of individual counseling, family counseling, and group counseling (all p < .001). Schools that initiated the service in Spring 2020 (n = 25) averaged 6.5 encounters for the 301 students receiving services, delivered mostly by clinical social workers or professional counselors, using individual counseling. Overall, data indicate programs significantly increased both behavioral services provided to their ongoing schools and increased the number of schools served. Undoubtedly telebehavioral health care delivery provided a swift and necessary response to the challenges posed by the growing pandemic threat.

Linking school leaders’ core practices to organizational school climate and student achievements in Norwegian high-performing and low-performing rural schools

Prior research has suggested that well-performing school leadership clusters around a set of general core practices, which appear to be effective across a range of national, social and cultural contexts, yet contingent of school leaders being responsive to context and responding appropriately to their different contextual demands when they employ these core practices. So far school leadership in rural regions has received only modest attention in leadership research. Therefore, this study was designed to explore the relationship between the core practices of school leaders, organizational school climate and student academic achievement in primary and lower secondary rural schools in a county in Norway. The research design involved a cross-sectional study based on ratings from 275 teachers situated in 20 rural schools, split into two sub-groups of 10 ‘high-performing’ and 10 ‘low-performing’ schools. The results from the multivariate analysis and comparisons between the sub-groups suggest that two distinct core practices of school leadership emerge as critical in Norwegian rural school settings. Further, the results indicate that in the higher performing rural schools, the teachers reported a more positive organizational school climate, with higher level of collaborative learning and self-confidence, than in the opposite sub-group.

The English Language Arts hundred years’ war: Subverting the stigma of film in America’s English classroom

Against the backdrop of the century-long stigma associated with film in America’s English classroom, which persists despite its codification in the English Language Arts (ELA) standards, this study investigated the question: How do American high-school English teachers make sense of and instruct with film? Employing semi-structured interviews with 12 high-school English teachers who instruct with film, from suburban, urban, rural and private school settings, the findings suggest that the stigma staining film in America’s English classroom is systemic. Participants shared their view that film is not an inherently passive medium, and when purposefully and actively facilitated, it possesses unique and efficacious pedagogic promise. Employing strategies typically associated with teaching printed texts, maintaining high classroom expectations, and integrating twenty-first-century pedagogic technologies when teaching with film may allow instructors to fulfil film’s remarkable learning potential, and consequently subvert misperceptions of, malpractices with, and the stigma surrounding film in America’s English classroom.