U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Relationship of School Context to Rural Youth's Educational Achievement and Aspirations

NCJ Number
236550
Journal
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 40 Issue: 9 Dated: September 2011 Pages: 1225-1242
Author(s)
Matthew J. Irvin; Judith L. Meece; Soo-Yong Byun; Thomas W. Farmer; Bryan C. Hutchins
Date Published
September 2011
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This study examined on rural youth preparing for the transition to adulthood.
Abstract
Though the poverty encountered by many rural youth encompasses numerous developmental challenges and substantially increases the chances for educational problems, the school context is central to promoting and constraining their development. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of school characteristics and schooling experiences to the educational achievement and aspirations of youth from high-poverty rural communities. Differences in the relationship of school characteristics and schooling experiences to the educational outcomes of students from high- versus low-poverty rural communities were also examined. Participants included 6,247 high school students from 43 low-poverty and 21 high-poverty rural communities. Approximately 51.7 percent of participants were female and the sample was racially/ethnically diverse (66.4 percent White, 9.2 percent African-American, 8.1 percent Hispanic/Latino(a), 4.4 percent Native American, and 11.8 percent Multiracial). After controlling for student and family background, school characteristics (e.g., lower student-teacher ratio) were predictive of achievement for rural youth from high-poverty communities. Schooling experiences (e.g., positive perceptions of their ability, a sense of school valuing and belonging, and preparation for postsecondary education) were predictive of educational achievement and aspirations for rural youth from high- and low-poverty communities. Overall, the study highlights unique ways schools can positively shape the educational outcomes for rural youth despite community poverty. (Published Abstract)