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Homogeneity, Sorting, And Social Capital: Differences In Rural And Urban School Peer Effects, Tosha Kurzynske Fraley

Theses and Dissertations--Public Policy and Administration

Rural America contributes greatly to the American Community, yet this population is often overlooked and underrepresented in most types of education literature. Choices about residence shape America’s public school system through the formation of school districts and schools associated with these local jurisdictions. Communities with different population densities may have different overall population composition and, therefore, may sort differently into schools. This paper examines the effect that population density, local jurisdictional sorting, homogeneity, peer characteristics, and community social capital may have on student achievement.

The first part of this dissertation outlines the importance of rural research and the impact of …