Mindsets on Closures and Consolidations: Perceptions of Schooling in Rural Communities

Abstract

In this study, I examined selected rural communities in Wisconsin that had experienced a school closure or had a referendum that could have resulted in the closure of a local school. My aim was to analyze data on participants’ mindsets as related to schooling and how accessible they perceived education to be for them and their communities. I used a mindset-indicator survey that was followed by interviews of selected survey participants. I found that most participants indicated a growth-oriented mindset related to education, and no participants had a fixed mindset. Most participants reported positive perceptions of schools. I conclude that growth mindsets may be related to local education.