The purpose of this article is to help education practitioners and researchers understand that research about rural education is complicated not only by issues of defining "rural," but also by the often dramatic ways that rural schools differ from each other. We briefly address issues in defining rural and describe rural classification…

Planning and management suggestions are offered to administrators developing gifted programs in rural settings. Emphasis on making effective use of limited time and personnel, creativity in financing and transportation, and dealing sensitively with community feelings. (Author/DB)

Surveys typical challenges, problems, and rewards facing principals in small rural schools by profiling two principals who administer five schools in northern Vermont. The schools have a combined population of 400 students in grades from kindergarten through eighth grade. (PGD)

The article describes the use of two academic-year, half-day regional Governor's School programs to provide science and mathematics education to rural gifted high school students in Virginia. Benefits of the program to students and their home districts are noted. (Author)

This article discusses one high school's program of competitive academic team sports, as well as the Indiana state system of local and regional competitions. Organization of teams, team goals, types of students involved, the role of the coach, and outside help from teachers in different fields are discussed. (PB)

Gives 1986 National Rural and Small Schools Consortium Conference definitions for rural school district, small school district, and remote/isolated school, providing common terms for communicating with legislators, federal/state policymakers, and researchers. Emphasizes "ruralness" as a continuum affected by the interaction of…

Provides and describes an Innovation Configuration checklist and how it was used by one rural principal to support teachers as they implemented a new math curriculum. Also notes significant role of leadership team. Outlines seven principles of curriculum implementation. (NEC)

For use by teachers, administrators, and counselors in working with rural secondary students who are ineligible for special services, the Unsatisfactory Grade Adjustment Plan (UGAP) is described as a conference tool for charting and pinpointing student behaviors leading to unsatisfactory grades. (JW)

The article presents successful strategies based on A. Maslow's hierarchy for recruiting special education personnel for rural school systems. Techniques for selling a district to prospective teachers and administrators are discussed and suggestions for integrating newcomers are covered. (Author/SB)

Article identifies problems of itinerant teachers of deaf students in rural Oregon and reports on a survey of 98 teachers of the deaf in Oregon. The study found 66 percent of teachers were working in itinerant positions, that 77 percent had not received any training for the itinerant role, and that 71 percent have some doubts about their…

Traces the history of the one-room school in West Virginia from the 1750s to the 1970s. Describes teachers, buildings, curriculum, pupil and teacher rules of conduct, size advantages/disadvantages, length of school year, salaries, changes in school district size, evolution of transportation networks, and current status. (NEC)

Describes the "International Christmas Fair" developed as a part of "Project Explore: Cultural Studies" program in Fairmont, Nebraska, with an ESEA Title IV grant. Shows how a rural school teaches about the Christmas customs of Holland, Sweden, Mexico, Germany, Colonial America, and England. (AH)

In New York State, the 24 brightest fifth and sixth graders from Avon, Caledonia, and York participated in a project funded by Title IV minigrants, distributed through BOCES. The children were bussed to a central point and permitted to study whatever they wished; Spanish was the first subject selected. (EJS)

Explains a strategy for the design and development of instructional programs for educational television in developing nations using a modified version of the Shannon-Weaver Communication Model. Highlights include design strategy, manner of presentation, and stages of program development. The importance of making materials realistic and culturally…

Describes Learn Alaska, an electronic educational system run jointly by the University of Alaska and the state Department of Education. Explains use of teleconferencing, videotex, teletext, and software teledelivery. (JM)