ERIC Number: ED259852
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1984-Oct
Pages: 40
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Growth and Change in Nonmetropolitan Schools: Effects of the Population Migration Turnaround in Osceola County, Michigan During the 1970's.
Frankena, Frederick
Findings of a study to establish the determinants and effects of urban to rural population migration patterns in Osceola County, Michigan, where a 27.6% increase (4,090 people) occurred during the 1970's, illustrate typical effects of population migration turnaround on nonmetropolitan schools. The study revealed that school facilities were strained, requiring use of mobile or makeshift classrooms. Financial problems occurred, primarily in the guise of millage issue defeats. A shortage of teachers, program cutbacks, and curtailment of course offerings resulted. Newcomers contributed to the heterogeneity of the school and community population both positively and negatively. Transiency and turnover became problems while gains in programs to serve newcomers, particularly education-outreach programs for elderly retirees were beneficial. Because the distribution of population growth was largely determined by the amenities within the area, the effects among the four school districts in the county were diverse. Analysis of the Osceola County experience indicates that both quantitative and qualitative data from local communities must supplement secondary data for effective decision making and planning and better cooperation between local, state, and federal groups should serve to help communities experiencing rapid growth make timely and adequate adjustments. (NEC)
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Administrators; Policymakers; Community; Practitioners
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Michigan
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A