Families and schools in rural appalachia

Abstract

A literature review revealed conceptual elements and approaches that have been productive in the study of rural education and rural families and children as they interface with schools. The Appalachian region is considered relative to these same issues. For nearly two decades the Appalachian Educational Laboratory has pursued systematic research and development aimed at improving the effectiveness of rural education by strengthening working linkages between families and schools. This programmatic work is summarized in order to illustrate--through both its breadth and specificity--the continual interchange which necessarily occurs between research and successful community practice. Implications and recommendations are considered.

Rural America: Unique opportunities for health care delivery and health services research.

“…The legislation also supports efforts to increase the amount of research focusing on health care in rural areas. The hope is to achieve a strong and continual interchange between health services research and successful rural health practice, similar to that which has been achieved in the educational arena with the Appalachia Educational Laboratory (Gotts & Purnell, 1986). The legislation further provides support for projects designed to increase the recruitment and retention of rural health care providers.…”