The article proposes training rural educators to become self-directed in their own improvement activities. The article summarizes current literature and notes four skills necessary for self-directed development: objectivity; self-critiques; examining only a few instructional skills at a given time; and reinforcement of self. (SB)

Describes and explains various factors in rural education and shows how "A Nation at Risk," the report of the Commission on Excellence in Education, ignores certain rural factors in its recommendations for education. Offers eight recommendations for policymakers who are designing strategies for implementing the commission…