Research On American Rural Primary And Middle Schools Consolidation

The social development process determines that rural primary and middle schools consolidation and distribuation can not be parried in the industrialization, urbanization and modernization of every country. The distribution of rural primary and middle schools in our country that has begun and speeded up since the late 20^th century is just the production that adjusts the historical trend; because it is still in the exploratory stage, remarkable results has been achieved while there have been many problems which remain to be solved as soon as possible. American rural primary and middle schools consolidation launched gradually from the early 20th century, experienced several development phases, and last over 100 years and until now, presenting numerous research, findings and focus, with more and more complex influence. The situation urged the researchers and educators to carry on some institutional innovations in reality to solve the existing questions in rural elementary schools and to put forward some policy proposals; Comparing and referring American practice and research has practical and great significance to the current rural education development in China.The thesis includes 4 parts.The first chapter introduces the history , development stages and the concrete situation of American rural primary and middle school consolidation, in addition to the current strategies and the policies .In general ,the history includes four stages: 1909-1957.the first round national consolidation; 1958-1970, the second round national consolidation; 1970-1983 the short stagnation stage ;1983-now regional growth time. The situation factors of consolidation in each stage mainly includes the population and economic changes, the transportation and the administration, the political factor, the public opinions , the education research and reform, and so on. The current practice, policies and strategies that are apt to favor the rural school consolidation exist with the national and regional policies that support the small rural schools.The second chapter describes and summarizes the argue focus and research aspects about American rural school consolidation ,including consolidation and economies of scale, consolidation and education quality, consolidation and education opportunity, consolidation and education outcome, consolidation and school bus policy, consolidation and community and the comprehensive research and opinions summary. Besides, this part tries to explain the common events and core ideas about rural elementary school consolidation with the public choice theory, interpretive theory and theory in institutional sociology. At last a case and field study about struggle about a rural district consolidation in Kansas is discussed.The third chapter gives the probe in alternatives of consolidation . in practice , including the cooperation between and outside districts and schools; the former includes districts or school share, consortia,(cluster ),central high school districts; the latter mainly occurs between districts, schools and colleges .In addition , concrete and microscopic successful strategies targeting at different stakeholders ,for example teachers, students, staff, officials ,the board, parents and community, are discussed, which can advance the consolidation process.The fourth chapter is the summary and deepening of the thesis, discussing the direct cause, influence, idea, prospect and essence of American rural school consolidation Further more, the similarities and differences between Chinese and American rural school consolidation are compared, proposing some personal ideas and suggestions about the long term solution to the rural school consolidation and rural education.