Any program for the state, local, or federal levels designed to produce more math and science teachers should recognize the special needs of the small, rural, and isolated school. Rural teachers can expect generalized teaching assignments with a greater diversity of subject matter responsibilities than teachers in larger, urban settings. There is…

Since small school problems are magnified in rural areas and since small rural schools have suffered, consequently, from the consolidation syndrome, it is important to acknowledge the fact that due to geographical limitations some rural areas cannot consolidate and others simply prefer the small school environment. It should also be recognized…

Effective leadership appears to be an element of a successful school, but few studies have covered either leadership in small and rural schools or effective schools with the ethnic mix of Anglo, Hispanic, and Native American students. This study's population consisted of the 24 New Mexico rural public elementary schools having an enrollment of 500…

Youth from rural areas of the country need to learn about themselves, their work opportunities, and careers available to them. The National Rural Career Guidance Communication Network was designed and implemented to provide assistance to teachers, counselors, and administrators desirous of implementing or improving rural career guidance and…

Test responses of students in grades six and 11 were examined to determine the relationship between school size and learning in the affective domain, i.e., character, cooperation, and attitudes toward school, communication, and change. Results indicated that students in smaller schools have more positive attitudes toward their schools and…

The major thesis of this paper is that it is necessary for those people concerned with rural education and small schools to accept 3 challenges--to take full advantage of available rural opportunities, to realize limitations of rural life, and to be aware of responsibilities not only to Rural America but also to an America where there are no…

Discusses nine major characteristics of rural schools which affected their willingness to accept change, as revealed in a study of the five-year Rural Experimental Schools Program. Available from: Rural Sociological Society, 325 Morgan Hall, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37916. (NEC)

Over the past number of years, there has been a great amount of concentrated study, with an equal amount of literature, devoted to the small school in the United States. This paper explores the strengths and weaknesses of small rural schools via a literature review. Although primarily concerned with identifying the small school's alleged strengths…

Career education is defined in this handbook as a comprehensive educational program wherein the student's attention is focused on careers, beginning in grade 1 or earlier and continuing through the adult years. It is noted that the expected outcomes of career education are that every student will develop the competencies necessary for life and for…

Generalizations about rural youth can be misleading as they are heterogeneous in their backgrounds, cultural heritage, values, and aspirations. This diversity is especially apparent when ethnic subgroups are examined. Black and Hispanic rural youth tend to have lower levels of achievement than white rural youth. This should be kept in mind when…

Change in rural schools is difficult to achieve because the diversity of these schools does not allow for one set implementation program. Small rural schools are an integral part of the rural community, and as such are as different as the part of the country where they are located. Change in rural areas is unsuccessful due to: the amount of…

Because the supervisor in the small school is often a Jack-of-all-trades, he may see himself as a manager rather than as a leader; however, to be an effective administrator, he must not only be ready for change but must be instrumental in creating desired change. Characteristics that affect the willingness and ability of rural schools to accept…

Teachers and administrators preparing for small or rural schools need better preparation in the sociological and economic factors prevalent in nonmetropolitan education. Although each geographic area has different needs, educators must be made aware of the cultural, social, and economic factors of the areas they serve. Preparation programs for…

The study investigates the relationship of small district teacher aspirations, career patterns, residential preferences, biographic characteristics, motivations, and perceptions of organizational and community factors to teacher turnover intentions in selected small districts in New Mexico in the spring 1983. The population studied included 262…

Rural administrators play a key role in encouraging change within schools and in integrating a career education program into the existing curriculum. The guide covers innovation and its relationship to education's goal and objective; factors affecting educational change within the school, community, and administration; and the community's role in…