Insights to Process and Practice in Rural Education: Rural Education in the Context of Rapid (Urban) Development

This chapter examines issues in the preparation and practice of rural teachers in China within a comparative reference to rural education in Australia. The chapter provides a background to education in rural areas of China, along with a discussion of rurality in the context of rapid urbanisation in China. Against this backdrop policies and practices in teacher education and teacher professional development in China, and particularly those focusing upon rural schools, are examined. Overall, this chapter highlights the unique insights available from examining education in rural areas in China through a comparative perspective.