Describe the advantages and disadvantages of teaching in rural, suburban, and urban schools

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Because they are small, rural districts have a strong sense of community, with schools often serving as the social center for the community. Class sizes are also small, and communication with parents is often easier. And, rural districts' small size makes innovation and change easier to accomplish than in larger districts. However, rural districts may not offer all of the services found in larger school districts, which is a disadvantage. Suburban districts have the advantage of generally housing the highest achieving students. Teaching in suburban schools is considered to be highly desirable, so competition for jobs in them is stiff, and it can be difficult for beginning teachers to secure jobs in these districts. Teaching in urban schools is considered to be more challenging than in either rural or suburban environments. In a national survey of urban teachers, low academic standards, few resources, lack of parental support, and poverty were all identified as obstacles to successful teaching and learning in urban schools. However, many school districts now offer special incentives, such as salary bonuses, support for housing, and moving expenses, to encourage highly qualified professionals to work in urban settings. While urban environments pose special challenges, they can also be rewarding, providing opportunities for teachers to grow as a professional.