Conceptions of Choice, Equity, & Rurality in Educational Research

• Main Authors: James Bridgeforth, Kate Kennedy, Jacob Alonso, Taylor Enoch-Stevens
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: National Rural Education Association 2021-08-01
• Series: The Rural Educator
• Subjects: school choice; rural education; equity
• Online Access: https://www.jhseonline.com/index.php/ruraled/article/view/1242

Although school choice advocates often promote a vision of additional schooling options for all students, the predominant target of school choice researchers has been densely populated, urban cores in the United States. However, this belies the fact that many rural communities have similarly engaged in forms of school choice decision-making. While we do not argue for further encroachment of school choice policies in rural contexts, we believe there are myriad, novel opportunities for meaningful education research regarding school choice, equity, and conceptions of rurality. To advance toward a robust agenda for rural school choice, we review the existing literature on school choice and rural education, provide key recommendations, and assert the need for additional consideration of the following: critical socio-political histories and theories; methodological diversity; issues of race, racism, sexual orientation, and equity; social-emotional learning and development; impacts of the COVID-19 global pandemic; and broadened understandings of rurality.