A week after , the city’s schools were back in business. But schools in rural North Carolina did not reopen until .
While natural disasters and health crises may have , in rural areas the is .
Fortunately, there are solutions. Based on on emergency preparedness – and my experience working in educational settings – I’ve identified several strategies that may help.
Rural schools have unique disaster challenges
Unlike urban areas, rural districts often have little access to the recreation centers, cultural institutions, university campuses and other structures that could provide temporary sites for classes after a disaster.
Access to these buildings helped schools in New York City in .
Rural areas also have greater distances between homes, fewer buildings that can be used for temporary schooling, and . Educational resources are , , and many areas .
Rural school districts may have . As a result, they may , technology and other essential materials.
Another is transportation.
In many rural communities, students rely on school buses to get to and from school. When natural disasters damage roads or disrupt transportation networks, students may be .
Even after the immediate effects of a disaster subside, transportation issues can persist. For example, the North Carolina Department of Transportation from Hurricane Helene.
‘Digital divide’ contributes to impact
Urban schools, with more reliable power and internet and better access to digital resources, are able to pivot quickly to online or hybrid learning when buildings are suddenly closed.
Students in rural schools, however, may have no access to or little or . In addition, shifting classes online, since they are more likely to in digital instruction than teachers in cities.
Planning for disaster
The disruptions following a natural disaster have both immediate and long-term consequences. Studies have found that the effects of natural disasters include , and or career advancement.
Due to the challenges already facing rural schools, I believe preparing for a disaster in a rural area should occur earlier and take into account the .
Rural schools, even more than their urban counterparts, cannot rely on a one-size-fits-all approach but need to from the local community and neighboring communities.
Here are a few strategies they could use.
Provide offline learning materials
Although it may seem intuitive, one key solution to school closures is . I have found that many teachers focus on electronic resources, such as smartphones and Apple watches, and overlook the use of old-fashioned methods.
Instructional materials, such as workbooks and textbooks, should be available and used before a disaster occurs. This is to ensure that students can continue with their studies when they are cut off from school. These materials, which can be supplemented after a disaster, can include projects that students can work on independently or with their families.
Use mobile technology
Another approach , such as smartphones. If service is available, students and teachers can communicate by phone.
When internet access is unavailable, schools can use mobile learning hubs. These are vehicles equipped with Wi-Fi, computers and other educational tools. These mobile hubs can travel to rural areas to provide students with access to digital resources. They serve as temporary classrooms or internet access points, bringing education directly to students.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, I worked with a community college in Tennessee that provided mobile hubs at public libraries, school parking lots and on campus. Students were able to use these resources at all hours, day and night.
Create a flexible learning environment
Schools can in when and how they learn during the academic year. For example, schools can allow students to make up missed work at their own pace. Or schools can provide alternative learning hours to students who may need to help their families with recovery efforts.
After Hurricane Helene downed power lines and closed roads in Beaufort County, South Carolina, students who were without power or internet were given and other considerations.
This flexibility helps ensure students do not fall too far behind. It may even help students .
Strengthen rural schools
Making rural school systems when disasters occur is essential to ensuring that students can continue learning.
Advance planning, flexible learning options and partnerships with families, community support services and local and can help. But I believe the underlying issues of the lack of resources, transportation challenges and the should also be addressed to reduce the long-term impact of crises on rural education.
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