Posibilidades, limitaciones y demandas de los centros educativos del medio rural en el norte y sur de España contemplados desde la dirección escolar

Abstract

The complexity of numerous education centers located in rural areas demands specific studies. Given that all investigations remark on the relevant role of school management, this article proposes to examine the situation of Spanish rural schools, by conducting interviews with school managers in two autonomous communities with the aim of identifying their possibilities, limitations, and demands in the present day. The results show singular similarities and differences between unitary schools, grouped rural schools, and pre-school and elementary education centers. The conclusions reveal a rural school which has possibilities like individualization of teaching due to low ratios; limitations like temporary status of teachers, isolated or underprivileged contexts, and low cultural level or educational expectations; and demand for services and infrastructure, access to information technology, and cultural offerings in proximity to schools.