Impact of Multiplex Relationships on Rural Science Education

  • Peter Knutson Dubuque Community School
  • Dawn Del Carlo University of Northern Iowa
Keywords: science education; multiplex relationships; rural teachers

Abstract

Relationships play a strong role in rural communities and education, and multiplex relationships – relationships that can overlap due to multiple contexts of interaction in a rural school – are unique to the rural setting. This study focused on multiplex relationships and their impact on science classroom performance, as measured by science standardized test scores, through the lens of Social Capital Theory. Quantitative survey results from rural science teachers regarding number of student relationships and state-based science test scores were correlated.  Additionally, qualitative survey answers from a subset of respondents were used to construct a more complete picture of the essence of these relationships and their perceived impacts. Results indicate multiplex relationships do not impact science test score achievement however, teacher accounts of classroom experiences with students illustrate a strong perception that multiplex relationships increase their ability to help students succeed.

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Author Biographies

Peter Knutson, Dubuque Community School

Peter Knutson, M.A. is the science curriculum coordinator for Dubuque Community Schools. He can be contacted at pknutson@dbqschools.org and pknut53@gmail.com.

Dawn Del Carlo, University of Northern Iowa

Dawn Del Carlo, Ph.D. is a faculty member in the Chemistry and Biochemistry program and Graduate Coordinator in Science Education at the University of Northern Iowa. She can be contacted at dawn.delcarlo@uni.edu.

Published
2018-11-07
How to Cite
Knutson, P., & Del Carlo, D. (2018). Impact of Multiplex Relationships on Rural Science Education. The Rural Educator, 39(2). https://doi.org/10.35608/ruraled.v39i2.203
Section
Research Articles