Small Schools, Education, and the Importance of Community

Pathways to Improvement and a Sustainable Future

By (author) Tim L. Adsit

Publication date:

19 May 2011

Length of book:

210 pages

Publisher

R&L Education

ISBN-13: 9781610480147

Small Schools, Education, and the Importance of Community focuses on three successful approaches for using the school as a catalyst for community development and revitalization, particularly in rural areas. The strategies also work well in suburban and urban areas. The three approaches described include: leadership by K-12 teachers, administrators, and school boards, particularly in the areas of developing schools as community centers, community as curriculum, and school-based economic development. Succesful case studies are also included.

Chapter 1- Overview
Chapter 2 - Rural Distress and Survival
Chapter 3 - Economic, Social, Cultural, Geo-Political, and Environmental Distress in Rural America
Chapter 4 - Survival: The Small School and the Importance of "Community"
Chapter 5 - Conclusions About Rural Distress and Survival
Chapter 6 - Working Together for Success: Small School Leaders Guide To Resources for Rural Community Development, Revitalization, and Renewal
Chapter 7 Appendix A - Research on Community Service Education
Chapter 8 Appendix B - Sample Student Learning Activities Using Community as Curriculum
Chapter 9 Appendix C - Sample Activities for Developing A School-Community Vision and A School Leaders Guide With Useful Tools for Community Development
Chapter 10 Appendix D - Community-School Design Conference Agenda
Chapter 11 Appendix E - The "Rool" Community and School Simulation Activity
Chapter 12 Appendix F - Human and Non-Human Resources Providing Assistance to Rural Communities and Schools

Whether you are a rural school teacher, administrator, board member, or a parent, this is an eye-opening book. Tim Adsit lays out the challenges rural communities face today and brings the global 21st century issues down to the level of Main Street, USA. He brings focus to the expanding role of the rural school for revitalizing small towns and offers practical, proven methods for engaging rural towns people that are doable by groups of self-organizing citizens in collaboration with their local school. Tim reminds us that the can-do spirit of rural American communities is critical in the 21st century for social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Indeed, leveraging the local rural school as a force for community and economic development may be the last best hope for many rural towns. You owe it to your kids and your community to read Tim Adsit's book and implement the suggestions.