Reactions of rural educators in Lunenburg and Queens counties to proposed changes in the Nova Scotia high school Public School Program

Abstract

This thesis was undertaken to gauge the reactions of rural educators in Lunenburg and Queens Counties to proposed changes in Nova Scotia's high school Public School Program (PSP) announced by the Minister of Education's Advisory Committee on May 3, 1989 in Education Nova Scotia. Specifically, the purpose of this study was to determine if the proposed senior high school PSP changes were expected to create unique problems for small rural schools in these counties having a senior high school population (grades ten to twelve) under 250.

Twelve interviews were conducted with rural educators. The principal, one social studies teacher, and one science teacher were interviewed from three rural schools: two from Lunenburg County and one from Queens County. In addition, the Superintendent of Schools for Lunenburg County, the Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum Development for Lunenburg County, and the Superintendent of Schools for Queens County were interviewed.

The interviews comprising the data of this study were tape recorded between November 6, 1992 and December 17, 1992. Identical procedures were followed for each interview. Educators were asked to comment on each of the proposed recommendations to Nova Scotia's high school PSP made by the Minister's Advisory Committee in May, 1989.

The study concludes with a "Summary of Major Findings" outlining some of the issues that rural educators indicated would create problems for small rural schools. This section also addresses some of the major concerns expressed by Department of Education officials. Six recommendations are made based on the literature review and the data collected from the rural educators in Lunenburg and Queens Counties.