Transforming rural education in Colombia through family participation: the case of school as a learning community

Soler, Marta; Morlà, Teresa; García-Carrión, Rocío; Valls, Rosa

Abstract:

Purpose: This article studies the impact of the implementation of learning communities in a rural context of Colombia, specifically concerning the improvements related to learning and social cohesion. Design/methodology/approach: This longitudinal case study analyses the process and the impacts of the transformation of a school in 2015 and the subsequent years of 2016 and 2017. The data analysed include standardized external tests, a documentary analysis of the school and interviews with students, family members and the schoolteacher. Findings: The results obtained indicate academic improvement within the school with results that exceed the national average of Colombia. The results also report how violence has been reduced by 80%. All of these outcomes were motivated by the participation of the community in the school. Practical implications: The conclusions drawn are relevant as they show a success case that overcame the difficulties related to the lack of accessibility and quality of rural education in Colombia.

Year:

2020

Type of Publication:

Article

Keywords:

Learning communities; family participation; academic achievement; social cohesion; rural education

Journal:

Journal of Social Science Education

Volume:

18

Number:

4

Pages:

67-80

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4119/jsse-3251