Contemporary Issues Education: Rural Risks, Obstacles and Resources

• Main Authors: Lamorey, Suzanne, Leigh, Jim
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: 01.03.1999
• Subjects: Arizona; Controversial Issues (Course Content); Daily Living Skills; Disabilities; High Risk Students; High Schools; Missouri; Prevention; Risk; Rural Urban Differences; Special Education; Special Education Teachers; Tables (Data); Teacher Student Relationship; Missouri; Arizona

Youth with disabilities are particularly susceptible to dangerous outcomes associated with contemporary issues such as teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, and domestic violence. Several studies document the high degree of social, medical, and legal risk to which youth with disabilities are exposed. The extent to which public schools provide risk reduction for students through prevention and protection programs varies across communities. In addition, special education students may be excluded from the programs that are offered. A survey of 509 teachers (primarily special education teachers) in Missouri and Arizona examined the extent to which they addressed 45 contemporary issues with their students. Respondents included rural and urban teachers of students with mental retardation, learning disabilities, and behavioral and emotional disorders, as well as typical students. For all teachers, the most frequently discussed issues were attitudes toward disabilities, drug and alcohol abuse, tobacco use, racism, teen pregnancy, and domestic violence; the least discussed areas were homosexuality, rape, abortion, child sexual abuse, and sexual promiscuity. In all but two categories, more rural special educators addressed the high risk issues than did urban special educators. Most frequently mentioned obstacles to discussing contemporary issues included conservative community attitudes and lack of time for rural educators, and lack of time and materials for urban educators. Data tables detail survey responses. Contains 10 references. (SV)