Abstract

Six-year trend data on enrollment, adjusted assessedvaluation, unappropriated fund balance, delinquent taxes receivable and adjusted maintenance cost were analyzed to assessthe impact of demographic and economic change on rural school districts. Rural districts were grouped into four stratifications on the basis of enrollment size; I) less than one section per grade, 2) one section per grade, 3) two sections per grade and 4) three sections per grade. To permit additional comparisons, all other districts were placed in four geographic/enrollment stratifications; I) large towns, 2) non-metropolitan cities, 3)suburbs and 4) urban. The comparative district stratification/trend analysis model was a useful applied research method. Rural school districts with fewer than three sections per grade experienced greater adverse effectsas the result of community demographic and economic change.

How to Cite:

Sederberg, C. H. & Hendrix, V. L., (1988) “Comparative Effects of Demographic and Economic Change on Rural and Other School Districts”, Journal of Research in Rural Education 5(3), 9–19.

Rights: Copyright