Intended to serve as a handbook for the principal of the small school, this volume presents a collection of 38 articles about small schools that have appeared in the National Association of Secondary School Principals Bulletin during the past 7 years. An introduction explores the basic concept of size as it relates to schools. Five chapters group…

A questionnaire sent to organizations and programs in rural education was designed to identify institutions displaying early school artifacts. Responses were received from 19 of the 30 states surveyed. The study found 11 university or college museums that have a one-room school as part of their collection. In addition, state parks and county…

The University of Washington has designed a rural track in its master's level training program in early childhood special education. This paper reports on the components of the training program and the results of the first two years of teacher preparation, including placement of trainees in rural practicum sites. (Author/JDD)

Addresses problems peculiar to rural areas that impede harmonious working relationship between parents of handicapped children and school personnel--changing characteristics of rural schools, characteristics of rural parents, and attitudes of school personnel toward parents. Offers suggestions to facilitate parent interactions with school…

Assesses the extent to which 30 third graders employ phonetically-based spelling strategies in representing synthetic words with high and mid front vowels. Finds spelling of good readers rule-governed and derived from judgement about language while that of poor readers showed less awareness of written language patterns. (LFL)

Argues that the most effective in-service programs for rural schools take place in the classroom with teachers and in-service tutors sharing the teaching, analysis, and evaluation. Describes such a program that helped rural Norfolk and Suffolk (England) elementary teachers gain skill and confidence in teaching science. (JHZ)

Twenty-five papers address issues of the underserved gifted, including environmental influences, multicultural and global factors, special learning problems, and the highly gifted and creatively gifted. The papers are: "Twenty-five Teaching Strategies that Promote Learning Success for Underserved Gifted Populations" (Jerry Flack); "The Invisible…

The one-room school experience is a part of U.S. and Tennessee history that should be preserved and shared. Since the last generation of scholars who attended one-room schools will soon be gone, the Jonesborough-Washington County (Tennessee) History Museum recreated this early system of education through a "living classroom" heritage…

This report focuses on teaching with the World Wide Web. An introduction describes the Illinois State Board of Education's (ISBE's) efforts in urging local schools to integrate information technology into all aspects of their curriculum and in emphasizing the need for technology-focused staff development for Illinois teachers. ISBE supports…

The Appalachian Rural Systemic Initiative (ARSI) aims to stimulate sustainable systemic improvements that enhance student performance in mathematics, science, and technology in 66 Appalachian counties characterized by persistent poverty. To support this aim, a major ARSI goal involves development of partnerships among families, communities, and…

Examines burnout, focusing on levels of burnout in rural Illinois extension service staff. Identifies work and conditions that create high risk of burnout. Indicates crisis staff working with distressed families experienced burnout as often as other staff. Makes recommendations for reducing burnout among rural social service providers. (Author/TES)

This article addresses program planning for successful inclusion of students with mild disabilities in rural schools. It discusses preplanning with staff and peers, developing a communication system, structuring collaborative planning time, dealing with resistant teachers, gaining administrative support, involving parents, designing a grading…

This guide, intended to help rural educators improve their school or district, connects general knowledge about educational change efforts and knowledge about conditions and characteristics specific to rural education. Chapter 1 discusses common strengths and weaknesses of rural schools and describes values and social patterns in small schools and…

This curriculum guide consists of instructional materials for teaching 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students about farming and the important role agriculture has had in the history and economy of North Dakota. The activities can be used to enhance the teaching of language arts, art, social studies, and science. The guide covers many aspects of…

Third in a series by the Rural Success Program at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), the book provides a view of selected organizations and literature of potential interest to rural employment and training practitioners and planners. The book is divided into two sections. The first contains summaries of interviews with representatives of 26…