There are a lot of failing rural schools. Unfortunately, they do not get the press that inner city schools get. National reporters live in cities, so that is what they are familiar with and what they can access easily and still sleep in their own beds. Of course, there are so many stereotypes about rural America that fit right in with failing schools. The failing inner city schools work well because they often provide a great contrast to the wealthy school elsewhere in the same place.

I care about inner city schools, but I don't have anything intelligent to say about them. I'm 100% rural in my experience. I've only visited inner city areas by accident, once in college when some friends took a wrong turn in Pittsburgh and more recently when I visited Rapid City, SD. That last was a joke!

Rural schools fail for a many of the same reasons as inner city schools: poverty, culture, family problems, isolation, and lack of opportunity. Nevertheless, there are a lot of successful schools in rural environments with no advantages.

"These kids will never do anything."

Some teachers actually believe that because the kids live in Goatfart, IA, they're not going to go anywhere with their lives. Apparently they're stupid because they're rural or because they're from a farm or what have you. I've met these teachers and I've lived close to schools that believe this. These teachers and schools won't challenge kids because they don't think the kids will go anywhere.

Science News recently noted that the attitude of teachers is a big part of rural school success. I would add that it's part of the success of any school.

My own school is rural. The district covers over 1000 square miles and has only about 450 students. As I've noted earlier this week, we're adding Calculus to our curriculum. We're doing this because our kids will accomplish things with their lives. We're not a perfect rural school, but we believe in our kids.

Culture

When I go to meetings and classes in the cities, I always run into a teacher who is happy to tell me why he or she won't teach in a rural school. I'll set aside the ones who don't want to live in a small town and focus on the ones who have stereotypes. Some people believe that rural people are isolated, have no ambition, and know nothing about the outside world.

This culture exists. I teach students like this. However, most people use this only as cover. They really are curious, but it's easier to let life wash over them. Rather than confess laziness, they claim to take pride in ignorance. I've found these kids can be reached by asking them to do things and use things. Some respond wonderfully just because I like them (or pretend I do). If I assumed they were ignorant because of where they  live, they would get away with their laziness.

There is a big world out there and most people are curious about it...even if they pretend they are not or pretend that they're too stupid to comprehend it. Sometimes, they've picked up this attitude from family. Remember, these are human beings created in God's image. Let's not treat them like they're ignorant, even if they want us to.

Poverty

Poverty is tough. Some kids rise from it and accomplish things. In other cases, it continues for generation after generation. So what makes kids from the same background different?

Kids who pull out of poverty often have someone in their lives who encouraged them, did not accept excuses, and believed in them. This fits in nicely with what I've said earlier. If it's not a family member, it may well be a teacher.

Now poverty can also bring problems of a full stomach. In many areas, poverty is accompanied by obesity (that's statistics), but it can also be accompanied by kids who aren't eating. Some schools have implemented breakfasts, cafeteria lunches, and even boxed lunches to take home. If you talk to soldiers who have returned from basic training, most recall at least one recruit who loved basic because he had real meals and actual clothes.

Schools may be the only secure place a student has. Poverty can be accompanied by family violence, lack of a permanent home, and a lot of other problems those of us with middle class backgrounds can only imagine. Schools need to ensure that there is discipline on campus and that students can trust teachers. They don't have to like their teachers, but they should respect them and know that their teachers care about them.

I'm feeling a bit long now and the Calculus books are calling my name. I want to talk about this more later.