To stress one of this nation's greatest strengths--its ability to form groups or partnerships to solve problems, such as providing quality education to rural America--academic year 1983-84 was proclaimed "National Year of Partnerships in Education." The Intra-Agency Committee on Rural Education, composed of representatives of the 14 major offices within the Department of Education, is one those partnerships. Further, a new Department policy declared that "rural education shall receive an equitable share of the information, services, assistance, and funds available from and through the Department of Education and its programs." This policy then listed 10 initiatives such as monitoring, expanding data bases, including rural institutions in pilot projects, and others. An annual rural forum is also sponsored; last year's forum included Iowa's model program in its 21 exemplary projects. These projects included partnerships involving corporations and communities, schools and townships, etc. All of the successful programs have clearly defined needs and goals. To propogate this success, the Intra-Agency Committee has created four subcommittees on the annual forum, research, data and staff seminars, and the Secretary's awards program. As rural economies become more diversified, and as urban-rural migration continues, new partnerships will help assure that rural communities have quality education. (PM)