Lifelong Learning

2019 Rural Pulse™ Snapshot: Lifelong Learning

Rural Pulse™ is a research study commissioned by the Grand Rapids-based Blandin Foundation to gain a real-time snapshot of the concerns, perceptions and priorities of rural Minnesota residents. It includes comparative findings from urban Minnesotans and identifies trends within significant, complex subject areas including the economy, education, employment and quality of life. Results are also analyzed as they relate to nine separate but inter-related dimensions of  a community’s health: life-long learning, inclusion, recreational and artistic opportunities, environmental stewardship, infrastructure and services, safety and security, community leadership, economic opportunity, spirituality and wellness.

Lifelong Learning is…

One of the Nine Dimensions of a Healthy Community, lifelong learning is defined as:recognizing all ages need access to educational opportunities that enable them to participate in and contribute to the economic, political, social and cultural life of the community to the fullest extent of their potential.

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Lifelong Learning

More than three-quarters (77%) of rural Minnesotans believed their community provides sufficient lifelong learning opportunities. Sixteen percent disagreed. Findings were similar among Foundation home area residents.

Residents in the Central, West Central, Southeast and Northwest regions lost some confidence since 2016 survey findings in this regard.

About two-thirds (67%) of cultural/racial residents in rural Minnesota believed their community provides sufficient lifelong learning opportunities. Twenty-three percent disagreed.

Three in four (76%) rural Minnesotans believed their community does a good job making sure that every student is successful. Eighteen percent disagreed. While Foundation home area residents were in alignment with rural respondents, those in urban areas were even less satisfied with student achievement (25% disagreement).

Those in the Central, West Central and Northeast regions of the state were more likely to have said that student success is a priority in their community. Southeast Minnesota residents were the least likely to agree.

More than two-thirds (68%) of cultural/racial survey participants believed their community does an adequate job making sure that every student in their community succeeds. About one in four (26%) disagreed.

About Rural Pulse

Rural Pulse™ is a research study commissioned by Blandin Foundation to gain a real-time snapshot of the concerns, perceptions and priorities of rural Minnesota residents. It has been conducted periodically since 1998, and was last conducted in 2016. It includes comparative findings from urban Minnesotans, and identifies trends within significant, complex subject areas including the economy, education, employment and quality of life. For this study, 1,068 telephone interviews were conducted with rural Minnesotans. View the full report at www.RuralPulse.org.