Raising Rural Voices: Challenges & Opportunities in Rural Alabama Schools.

Rural schools are unique in the challenges they face; therefore, it follows that the policies to address the challenges should also be unique and not adhere to the “one size fits all” mentality. This research uses a qualitative approach and takes the bold step to seek the input of teachers who work in rural schools for suggestions on how to solve challenges found in rural schools. Eight teachers from seven rural Alabama schools across seven different districts were convened in multiple focus groups organized around four themes— federal policy, state policy, local policy, and community partnerships. The findings from this study shed light on how “one size fits all” policies, which are often created by policymakers with an “urban” mindset, affect rural schools. Additionally, the study inspired a “rural school policy playbook” that includes recommendations for local, state, and federal policy changes to address the needs of rural schools. The solutions shared by the rural teachers we interviewed represent only the tip of the iceberg. Yet, they are important because they shed light on feasible solutions that could help address the contemporary challenges rural schools face. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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