Off-campus UNL users: To download campus access dissertations, please use the following link to log into our proxy server with your NU ID and password. When you are done browsing please remember to return to this page and log out.
Non-UNL users: Please talk to your librarian about requesting this dissertation through interlibrary loan.
Understanding the Mission and Challenges of One Rural Public School District
Abstract
Understanding the challenges faced by rural public high schools in their missions to prepare students for postsecondary education and entry-level employment in the midst of a changing global workforce has garnered little research attention. Rural environments present distinct challenges, giving voice to educational leader perceptions of these challenges and how they are managed when transitioning students from school-to-career will help other leaders in similar situations. The purpose of this qualitative intrinsic case study was to describe and interpret one rural school district's mission through the eyes of six of its leaders. Analysis of multiple sources of data (semi-structured interviews, collection of documents (archival records, strategic plans, NC Report Cards), and field notes) revealed core themes with various sub-themes. Core themes included: Ensuring Student Readiness, Significant Variances in School Structures, Influence of Leadership Styles on Productivity, Teams and Partnerships Focused on Student Transitioning Process, Challenges Distinct to Rural Region, and Recognized Dichotomy Between Wealthy and Low-Income Residents. Leaders' perceptions were integrated within the analysis. Based on the findings that emerged, suppositions for rural public school administrators are given.
Subject Area
Educational leadership|Education Policy|Education
Recommended Citation
Venturo, Linda J, "Understanding the Mission and Challenges of One Rural Public School District" (2018). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI10979753.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI10979753