The National Center for Research on Rural Education (R²Ed) invites you to peruse the newest edition of the Rural360° – an electronic newsletter that aims to provide researchers, educators and community leaders with insights into the dedicated efforts of our personnel and collaborators throughout the United States.

This upcoming publication will feature current and prospective thinking from seminal scholars, providing perspectives and directions intended to inform the work of rural educators, practitioners and policymakers. With an emphasis on leveraging collaboration among key rural education stakeholders, the book will both outline the current knowledge base and map a future research agenda to maximize the educational experiences and achievement of rural K-12 students.

In examining the interrelated impacts of teaching, family engagement, school environment and contextual factors, the publication will offer evidence-based insights on issues ranging from professional development and family-school partnership approaches to rural school reform standards and methodological considerations. It will further explore the needs, opportunities and realities associated with translating research to the arenas of practice and policy – while also considering how the latter can inform future scholarship.

In any intervention, there are unique components known as “active ingredients” that are believed to be responsible for targeted outcomes. “Instructional coaching for science teachers” is an intervention being examined by the Coaching Science Inquiry in Rural Schools and conducted through the National Center for Research on Rural Education. The study identified coaching’s active ingredients, categorized by:

• Coach characteristics: command of content area, classroom experience, proficiency with technology, flexible schedule, view of coaching role as a partnership and strong interpersonal skills
• Teacher characteristics: basic content knowledge and a willingness to engage in the coaching process
• A strengths-based shared approach to a coaching partnership: emphasis on positive feedback, mutual respect, reciprocal trust and rapport

Several of the active ingredients are particularly salient in rural schools. Flexibility in scheduling is critically important, as many rural teachers serve in numerous roles. Their multiple responsibilities – coaching sports, serving as club sponsor, bus duty – require scheduling coaching sessions around the teachers’ schedules. Another important aspect is teachers’ proficiency with technology, as distance-based coaching is the most efficient delivery mechanism for teachers and coaches. Access this link for more information about the active ingredients of coaching identified through CSI’s study:

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The National Center for Research on Rural Education recently shared key research findings at the World Conference on E-Learning in New Orleans, Louisiana, and the 106th Rural Education Association Convention in San Antonio, Texas. The presentations covered technology-delivered instructional learning and rural teacher’s professional development.

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Chuck Schroeder serves as executive director of the University of Nebraska’s Rural Futures Institute, where he works with Nebraskans across the state to address challenges and opportunities in rural communities. Schroeder’s leadership roles span the public, private and non-profit sectors. He has served as president and executive director of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and founding CEO of the National Cattleman’s Beef Association.

In this exclusive 360° interview, Schroeder discusses opportunities for rural school communities, RFI’s community collaboration and large-scale impacts from local efforts in rural education.



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