An evaluation of issues in rural Missouri K-12 Public School Districts

Abstract

This evaluation discusses the commonalities in the issues among rural school districts in Missouri. A survey was sent to 270 school districts in the state of Missouri with 1,000 student enrollment or fewer. Fifty percent of the districts responded. The survey consisted of a questionnaire targeting thirteen different issues and requested that superintendents target the top five issues in their school district. The main issues selected were district funding (84%), student achievement (73%), governmental mandates (61%), socio-economic factors (48%), and technology (47%). Results of this evaluation are tabulated in Chapter 4, based on the following research questions: (1)What are the main issues in rural Missouri K-12 Public School Districts? (2)Are there differences in the main issues in rural Missouri K-12 Public School Districts according to student enrollment? (3)Are there differences in the main issues in rural Missouri K-12 Public School Districts based on the years of experience of the superintendent? (4)Are there differences in the main issues in rural Missouri K-12 Public School Districts in relation to the demographic region? (5)In rural Missouri K-12 Public School Districts are the main issues the same?