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Key Factors Surrounding The Survival And Thrival Of Rural Schools In Nebraska Through The Eyes Of Superintendents: A Mixed Methods Study, Sadie Coffey

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Rural school success is crucial for the Nebraska education system. Without rural schools, many students and families would be without access to high quality educational opportunities. Despite the importance of rural education, the number of rural schools in Nebraska continues to decline, and “one thing is clear from academic research on rural schools: closings and consolidations can drastically change the flavor of civic life in a rural community” (McCullum & Merrefield, 2019, p. 1). Identity loss and identity crisis theories may explain why these rural schools in Nebraska continue to survive and thrive. Without the rural school, a community and …