Rural students have problems just like urban students. Most people do not realize these problems because the rural students are out of the limelight of the media.
Rural middle and high school children do not have the experiences that urban and suburban children have; therefore, they should be considered a special population. They experience many difficulties in realizing their gifts and talents, mostly due to being isolated geographically.
Rural Schools Struggle to Help Students Reach Their Academic Potential
Rural schools have certain characteristics such as being too small. This sometimes makes it difficult to provide challenging academic programs. Plus, many of the schools are under-funded due to lack of industry and tax base. Many homes are literature poor without newspapers, magazines or books. So, many young students come to school several steps behind their urban or suburban counterparts.
Probably the strongest but least cited reason talented students do not get to reach their potential is that rural parents want their children to stay in the country and not go off to the city. Parents and community leaders fear “brain drain” because there is little work to keep them coming back home.
Rural Communities and Schools Instill Survivalist Attitudes
However, the rural attitude of “pull yourself up by your bootstrap” and “don’t be a burden on someone else” has produced many talented adults. These successful rural adults may not receive the proper academic gifted classes, but their parents’ work ethic and survivalist attitude instill in them a desire to succeed.
Rural Students Need Additional Attention and Adequate School Funding
I believe that rural children should be considered a special population. Many students come to school miles behind their suburban and urban counterparts because of their isolated homes. Most have never been to in a museum, a zoo, or a concert until they reach school. They need special attention and adequate funding to compete with other urban and suburban students.
