The Education Express, a state-of-the-art mobile classroom, brings computer training to rural training sites in Schuyler, Chemung, and Tioga Counties--the Southern Tier of New York. Clients include nurses, other workers, senior citizens, and GED students, who lack access to such trainings because of financial, time, or distance constraints.…

In 18 Appalachian Tennessee counties, an aggressive "war on illiteracy" recruits former dropouts to GED (high school equivalency) classes, literacy classes for those with grade 8-9 reading level, and basic skills classes. People who almost finished high school may earn diplomas through approved adult classes. Classes are taught by…

Describes use in Appalachia of "Writing to Read," IBM-developed computer-assisted phonetic literacy program for first graders. Describes program's premise, history, and technology. Program uses phonetics, emphasizing student expression over spelling and punctuation. Describes establishment and use of literacy laboratories in West…

The Dalton (Georgia) High School Apprenticeship Program, a joint effort of local carpet companies and the school, provides high school students with the necessary skills for high-tech jobs in the carpeting industry. The program seeks to reduce the dropout rate while addressing the local shortage of skilled workers. (LP)

The Challenger Learning Center of Kentucky is 1 of 34 Challenger Center sites for space science education nationally and the only one in a rural area. Since the center's opening in March 1999, some 5,500 sixth-graders have "flown" space missions that involved using teamwork and math and science skills to solve problems and complete the…

Describes 3 of 17 innovative educational programs funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the Southern Governors' Association. Projects were designed to meet at least one of the four National Education Goals important to ARC: school readiness; adult literacy and lifelong learning; math-science education; and dropout prevention. (LP)

In rural Alleghany County (North Carolina), one of the state's seven "cyber campuses" provides an expanded curriculum and advanced placement college courses to high school students and an array of community college and 4-year college courses to residents, who otherwise would be deterred from further education by their isolated location.…

Discusses the need for community and technical colleges to act as active transfer agents providing access to rapidly changing technological information for rural businesses and their workers. Identifies common barriers to cooperation between research universities and industry, and offers advice on surmounting them. (SV)

In three counties of western North Carolina, students who meet requirements of the New Century Scholars program during their last 6 years of secondary school are guaranteed a 2-year scholarship to Southwestern Community College. Financed by community fund-raising efforts, the program provides a close network of academic and social support for…

Describes Woodlands Mountain Institute's leadership program, which helps exceptional West Virginia high school students get into good colleges and serve home communities after finishing college. Describes cases of low-income students assisted by program in college selection and financial aid. Describes colleges' cooperation, peer-counseling…

Funded in part by a two-year grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Greene County Family Center in southwest Pennsylvania allows clients to meet with representatives from county human services agencies and offers many services including Head Start, crisis intervention, tutoring programs, adult education programs, and other services to…