This theme issue of "State Education Leader" contains eight articles on rural education. "The Rural Bellwether" (Kathy Christie) discusses declining enrollment in rural schools, rural problems with teacher shortages and special education funding, issues related to school size and school district size, and distance learning initiatives. "Iowa Links Education and Economy" (Greg Nichols) describes a proposal before the Iowa Legislature to improve teacher quality through pay raises, incentives, and continuing education, and, thereby, boost student achievement and contribute to a better educated workforce. "Collaboration in Nevada's Rural and Urban Schools" (Robert C. McCord) examines rural-urban collaborative projects concerned with teacher training and technology use. "Maine School Embraces Service-Learning" (Trisha L. Smith) describes a student-initiated middle school project involving cooperation between the school and a paper company and development of forestry education on company land. "Distance Education Overcomes Rural Isolation" (Suzanne Weiss) looks at examples of distance education innovations in rural Colorado, Arizona, and West Virginia. "Community Colleges: Key to Rural Success" (J. Parker Chesson, Jr.) discusses the role of community colleges in rural economic development and increased access to education. "Special Education: Tough Issue for Rural and Remote Areas" (Lynne Chalmers) describes a North Dakota program to increase the supply of rural special education teachers. "Early Learning: Child Care in Rural America" discusses child care conditions in rural America and efforts to link child care with preschool services. Rural education resources and statistics are listed. (SV)