This proceedings contains 18 papers and presentations from the annual conference of the National Rural Education Association. The contents include: (1) "Strategies for Improving Math and Science Achievement in Rural Appalachia" (Hobart Harmon, Roy Blanton); (2) "Reform in One Community: Factors in Establishing a Firm Foundation" (Bernadette McCormack Musetti, Susan O'Hara, Elizabeth Gibson, Maureen McMahon); (3) "The Rural Learning Network: A Teaching and Learning Collaborative" (J. Richard Pomeroy); (4) "Women in the Rural Principalship" (Marilyn L. Grady, Kaye Peery, Bernita L. Krumm); (5) "Leadership for Increasing the Participation and Success of Students in High School Advanced Courses: Implications for Rural Educational Settings" (Betty Alford); (6) "The Operations of Kentucky Rural School Councils" (Feng S. Din); (7) "Perceived Leadership Practices of Rural Superintendents: Men and Women Who Lead" (Mike Boone); (8) "A Model for Rural School Consolidation: Making Sense of the Inevitable Result of School Reform" (Craig Cummins, Edward W. Chance, Carl Steinhoff); (9) "The Role of Rural Counselors: Their Needs and Challenges to Providing Prevention" (William Lee, Liza Nagel, David Scherer); (10) "Principals' Ability To Implement 'Best Practices' in Early Childhood" (Judy French, Sally Pena); (11) "The TeleLearning and Rural Education Centre: Macro and Micro Dimensions of Small School Research" (Ken Stevens, Dennis Mulcahy); (12) "Success of High-Risk Students after Completion of an Elementary School Intervention Program: A Longitudinal Study" (Marilyn Smith, George C. Hill, Marcia Bandera); (13) "Rural Education Reform: The Consultation Process" (Dennis M. Mulcahy); (14) "'There's Many a Slip between the Cup and the Lip'" (Barbara Kent Lawrence); (15) "One Teacher Primary Schools: England, Scotland and Wales, 1996-97" (Ivan Muse, Steve Hite, Ellen Powley); (16) "Great Expectations: Preparing Rural Youth for Future Community Vitality" (Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory); (17) "Adolescent Stress, Coping, and Academic Persistence in Rural Appalachia: The Unacknowledged Import of Early Adolescent Pregnancy" (Linda Lange, Robert Bickel); and (18) "Making Connections/Building Partnerships: Examples from the University of Maine" (Robert A. Cobb, Walter G. McIntire, Constance M. Perry, Russell J. Quaglia). Most papers contain references. (SV)