EMPIRE (Exemplary Multicultural Practices in Rural Schools) is a collaborative multicultural reform project involving the Rural Clearinghouse at Kansas State University and eight rural schools, two regional colleges, and state departments of education in Arizona and Washington. Each rural school is pursuing multicultural projects that are defined and developed locally and build on local resources. Collaborating institutions and agencies provide technical assistance and support. The eight schools are Nazlini Boarding School (Navajo Reservation), DeMiguel Elementary School (Flagstaff, AZ), Washington Elementary (Sunnyside, WA), Yakima Nation Tribal School (Yakima Reservation), Davis High School (Yakima, WA), Hilton Elementary School (Zillah, WA), Hotevilla Bacavi Community School (Hopi Reservation), and Marshall Elementary School (Flagstaff, AZ). At the three American Indian schools, projects incorporate community culture and language into the curriculum to strengthen student cultural awareness and self-esteem, and link students to other cultures through exchanges with other project schools. At schools with primarily Anglo student populations, staff have committed themselves to year-round emphasis on multicultural awareness and comprehensive staff development, which has noticeably changed staff and student attitudes. At two schools experiencing a rising population of Hispanic or formerly migrant students, projects include increasing parent and community involvement, developing a bilingual parent handbook, and adapting a traditional chemistry course to accommodate students with limited proficiency in English. The school with the most diverse student population has focused on building multicultural awareness and recognizing the contributions of all students. (SV)