Outlines a 10-point plan for promoting a positive school-community relationship in small school systems. The ten points are: (1) develop public relations policy, (2) do research, (3) correct deficiencies, (4) set goals, (5) promote candor, (6) attend to internal relations, (7) attend to external relations, (8) maintain good media relations, (9)…

Outlines a successful reading program developed in Wakulla County, Florida, schools where the adult illiteracy rate was seriously high. The success of this program emphasizes three points: begin with detailed needs assessment, establish clear program goals, and provide continuous evaluation.(MD)

Reports results of a survey of Idaho programs of cooperation between schools or districts. Reveals 75 percent of responding schools participate in one or more cooperative efforts and report sharing to be a successful practice. Describes major advantage of curriculum variety, but disadvantages of problems with coordination, transportation, and…

Small rural schools can use telecommunication and educational networking to gain access to information and extend curriculum. Provides a model plan for developing a technology cooperative. (MD)

Describes a successful instructional television consortium developed by four small Illinois high schools. The system eliminated the need to transport students long distances for a quality education. (MD)

Recruiting and retaining teachers and other personnel continues to be one of the most critical issues in rural schools. The need for teachers in the U.S. is expected to grow significantly as large numbers of teachers retire, many taking advantage of early retirement incentives. In searching for ways to meet new federal law requirements outlined in…

A strategy for managing an effective special services program in a small, rural school (Wilson Creek, Washington) is described. The approach is built upon the nucleus of a full time special education teacher who coordinates schoolwide services. Responsibilities of this position include assisting teaching staff in mainstreaming special education…

A New York State rural school district converted a school bus into a self-contained Publishing Activities Center (PAC) that helps develop students' reading and writing skills. (MD)

In an address to the House Ways and Means Committee on the Revenue Provision in the Year 2000 Budget, Rene Bouchard, CEO of Steuben-Allegany Board of Cooperative Educational Services, discusses the needs of rural schools and how the President's school modernization proposal would help them. Bouchard argues the need for federal assistance to school…

An Educational Specification Committee was convened to determine the design specifications required for a new middle school in Roseville, California's Dry Creek District. This report presents revisions to an earlier document that examined school room specifications for each grade level and administrative area. Specification considerations are…

When this research report was first conceived, the current economic crisis was only just on the verge of revealing its full extent. Economic crisis or no economic crisis, over the years funding for PK-12 education has been a constant struggle. While all schools continue to face difficulties, for various reasons rural schools have different and…

An Educational Specification Committee was convened to determine the design specifications required for a new K-5 (and temporarily 6-8 grade) elementary school in Roseville, California's Dry Creek District. This report, the result of the committee's efforts, examines school room specifications for each grade level and administrative area.…

Schools were never so dependent upon adequate library facilities as they are at the present time. This condition has come about largely through modern school curricula which demand for their execution large collections of books, magazines, and other reading matter relating to many subjects. At the present time much stress is being placed upon the…

Outlines concerns that cause beginning teachers to leave rural schools. Discusses components of an overall teacher recruitment strategy, benefits of living and teaching in rural areas, and possible teacher incentives. Lists teacher retention strategies based on community or social environment, staff development, support procedures, or incentives.…

Discusses the federated school district, a cooperative organizational alternative for low enrollment rural districts facing enrollment decline or fiscal exigency. Describes district characteristics: local elementary schools, small regional high schools, a governing assembly, and a multiple district administrative system. Includes a planning model…