Comparative Evaluation of the Performance of Students of Rural and Urban Primary Schools in the Prefecture of Arta, Greece, in the 1st Grade of Secondary School (Gymnasium) During 2012/2013

Αim: To investigate whether and to what extent students attending small rural primary schools are "disadvantaged" compared to students attending urban schools as well as what are the differences in their performance and consistency in their attendance in the 1st grade of secondary school (gymnasium).

Methodology: we chose for our research the quantitative research approach, to study a large number of cases and analyze statistically the research data. More specifically, the choice of the sample which included all the students who studied in the secondary schools of the Prefecture of Arta and specifically in the 1st grade, after collecting their report cards , was considered more reliable. The sample of the research, therefore, consists of 364 students who used to study during the school year 2012-2013 in the prefecture of Arta in the 1st grade of secondary school (gymnasium) and was made by simple random sampling.

Results: As evidenced by the research findings, students who attended urban primary schools, achieve better performance in the first class of secondary school. In particular their average grade of achievement is higher especially in Mathematics and Modern Greek Language & Literature where they achieve also higher grades. However, as far as Science classes are concerned, no difference in grades is observed. Finally, regarding the continuous attendance of students, those who attended small primary schools had more absences during the school year.

Conclusion: The results of the research show a number of differences in the performance of students who have previously attended urban and rural primary schools, with those of urban schools being superior. However, the factors that constitute an obstacle to the proper and smooth operation of a rural school are numerous and also, the advantages of a rural school are difficult to be measured quantitatively.