View/Open - Drake University
View/Open - Drake University
View/Open - Drake University
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
. .<br />
~ith sonlebody else. All -3~m1ilent hprclalisl concluded, GL~.m concerned people in urban<br />
rexs don't understand nlral education. I think eventually the state might have to come to the<br />
con~l~l~ion it is going to Cost more to educate in rural areas..' But she showed genuine<br />
ndel-standillp saying, "Our school can do all of [he greatest things in the u,orld, but if we<br />
on't have kids, it's not going to make any difference an\qSay." Some rural educators clearly<br />
eared the personal attention all students could receive in their districts was not valued in the<br />
>tarehour<br />
119<br />
Already con tent with the school/community relationship in their small districts, it was<br />
lifficult for these rural educators to identify with a need to be more accountable to or listen<br />
nore to their patrons. Several believed the state should not focus on size so much as<br />
emphasis should be placed on "quality." A feeling that "quality is not dictated by the number<br />
~f course offerinss" but rather "quality is determined by the people and programs in the<br />
;chool" seemed a more logical measurement for effective school settings to many rural<br />
;Lluc:~tc~rs in this study. Srill a fe\v others ne\.ertheless put a positive spin on the mandate.<br />
\cciny opponunities for school districls [o further partner with parents and the whole<br />
co~llrnunitie~ they ser\.ed.<br />
(,ill of<br />
A fino] lhouFht on [his topic came from an administrator: Students needed to come<br />
district u-ith a degree that meant the Same thing as a degree from any Iowa<br />
district.'. hut she urondercd if HF 2271 mipht soon he obsolete as the state<br />
dealing \\.itl1 ihe ralllificntions of the 30 Child kft Behind mandates. It was her<br />
mlc Iowa schoo\s) \vould soon *.all he dnncinp to a national sonf-"<br />
soon he<br />
that