Learning in Peril
In this series of occasional stories, we explore the trials, myths and realities of one of the most culturally dissociated parts of the Golden State — rural, conservative California — through its schools.
In small, isolated towns, life revolves around schools. Mental health support for many students in these places, which have a dearth of medical providers, comes through schools. Students eat their meals there, and campuses become evacuation centers amid emergencies like wildfires.
“We serve as the heart of the town, and if the schools go, the town will go completely,” said Anmarie Swanstrom, a superintendent and principal in Trinity County.
Rural schools are struggling to hire teachers and staff, in large part because it is difficult to recruit people for professional jobs in shrinking towns. Poverty and childhood trauma rates are high.
Even for high-achieving students — many of whose parents do not have college degrees themselves — there are unique barriers to going to college, including distance. There are few universities and community colleges in vast Northern California.
In California’s conservative northern reaches, residents say that urban Democrats like Gov. Gavin Newsom are failing to acknowledge the limitations of electric vehicles in rural areas.
Childhood trauma levels are high and college rates are low in rural California. What’s that mean for a high achiever?
A rural California school district scrambles to find teachers amid a national shortage. It will not offer transitional kindergarten, despite a new law.
Four rural Northern California school superintendents went to Washington to look their legislators in the eye and tell them just how desperate they are.
