Rural Education
Rural education contexts around the globe share many characteristics that transcend national borders. In some countries rural schools struggle with lower student learning outcomes, problematic staffing, parents sending their children to urban schools, and difficulties in establishing and maintaining infrastructure. Elsewhere, people working with and in rural schools report evidence of imaginative and successful practices in improving student learning outcomes, retaining quality staff, reducing urban drift and accessing resources. ISFIRE 2009 will provide an international forum for academics, and educators passionate about rural education to examine these contexts and share their perspectives.The overarching theme of ISFIRE 2009 concerns innovative strategies for improving equity in rural education. International data confirm that for many countries the learning achievements of students in rural areas are often significantly below those achieved by peers in metropolitan areas. This geographical divide in student achievement challenges principles of equity in education and underscores a most significant challenge currently facing global education.
Clearly, the issues relating to rural education concerns are complex and deep-seated. Why do the education issues currently facing rural and regional communities appear so intractable? What is needed to address inequity of educational opportunity for students living in rural and remote areas? What approaches are showing evidence of successfully addressing such concerns? Why are some rural communities places of great innovation, expertise and resilience?
The ISFIRE symposium will emphasise the obligation of the global education community towards influencing policy aimed at delivering equitable and socially just outcomes for rural students. Importantly, ISFIRE will offer an international forum for research findings, innovative ideas and evaluated approaches linked to positive, practical action.
