Maine Public interviews Biddle about community outreach in rural schools
Catharine Biddle, an assistant professor of educational leadership at the University of Maine, spoke with Maine Public for a report about a Medway Historical Society project that is connecting older residents with middle school students. Biddle, who studies rural education, said many schools haven’t really been focused on community outreach. She said over the past few decades, many have largely prioritized student achievement to comply with federal policies. “Then the only interaction between the school and the older adult community becomes town meetings, where the budget is being discussed,” Biddle said. “And that reinforces the notion that people aren’t invested. But there’s also very little outreach that’s being offered.”