Small Schools, Education, and the Importance of Community: Pathways to Improvement and a Sustainable Future

Small Schools, Education, and the Importance of Community focuses on three successful approaches for using the school as a catalyst for community development and revitalization, particularly in rural areas. The strategies also work well in suburban and urban areas. The three approaches described include: leadership by K-12 teachers, administrators, and school boards, particularly in the areas of developing schools as community centers, community as curriculum, and school-based economic development. Succesful case studies are also included.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1- Overview Chapter 2 - Rural Distress and Survival Chapter 3 - Economic, Social, Cultural, Geo-Political, and Environmental Distress in Rural America Chapter 4 - Survival: The Small School and the Importance of "Community" Chapter 5 - Conclusions About Rural Distress and Survival Chapter 6 - Working Together for Success: Small School Leaders Guide To Resources for Rural Community Development, Revitalization, and Renewal Chapter 7 Appendix A - Research on Community Service Education Chapter 8 Appendix B - Sample Student Learning Activities Using Community as Curriculum Chapter 9 Appendix C - Sample Activities for Developing A School-Community Vision and A School Leaders Guide With Useful Tools for Community Development Chapter 10 Appendix D - Community-School Design Conference Agenda Chapter 11 Appendix E - The "Rool" Community and School Simulation Activity Chapter 12 Appendix F - Human and Non-Human Resources Providing Assistance to Rural Communities and Schools

About the Author :
Tim Adsit is best known as a successful teacher, school administrator, author, business owner, and outdoorsman. He possesses a doctor of divinity and advanced degrees in education and administration.

Review :
Whether you are a rural school teacher, administrator, board member, or a parent, this is an eye-opening book. Tim Adsit lays out the challenges rural communities face today and brings the global 21st century issues down to the level of Main Street, USA. He brings focus to the expanding role of the rural school for revitalizing small towns and offers practical, proven methods for engaging rural towns people that are doable by groups of self-organizing citizens in collaboration with their local school. Tim reminds us that the can-do spirit of rural American communities is critical in the 21st century for social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Indeed, leveraging the local rural school as a force for community and economic development may be the last best hope for many rural towns. You owe it to your kids and your community to read Tim Adsit's book and implement the suggestions. I found this book to be 'user friendly.' The suggested procedures have painted a picture of tapping into the school's biggest asset—our community. Our rural area is surrounded by a population who is surviving hard economic times. How exciting! We now have a book written to guide us toward possibilities! I truly enjoyed reading the book and found it to be exactly what is needed in my community. Each of the chapters are a delight in themselves and an opportunity to reflect upon the plight of small schools and communities and the leadership role of small schools in community development, revitalization, and renewal. The leader's guide making up the appendixes is a great reference section replete with tools to help school leaders facilitate community revitalization. The appendixes alone are worth the price of the book—it's a much-needed reference book for small schools and communities. It will become a favorite with many of those who are seeking answers about their schools' leadership role in community development. This excellent book deserves a wide reading and thoughtful meditation. Implement the ideas presented in it—they work!