This paper describes a proposed five-phase model for assessing the instructional leadership of rural school administrators. In phase one, assessors conduct a structured interview to determine participants' understanding of the skills and functions required of the instructional leader. Phase two allows participants to review and evaluate video…

This paper focuses on the difficulties faced by rural school districts in their efforts to serve children with severe multiple disabilities. Both historic and contemporary views on mainstreaming and inclusion of students with multiple disabilities are presented. Concerns of educators about the inclusion of such students center around the amount of…

This first article in a series on telecommunications in rural America provides an overview of several key telecommunication issues facing rural regions. High speed data services known as broadband have the potential to make rural areas less isolated and improve the rural quality of life, but physical barriers, sparse population density, and few…

The objectives and practices of Nigeria teacher education have traditionally prepared teachers to impart knowledge in the classroom but not for other roles in the communities they serve. Lessons are drawn for Nigeria from other less developed countries where teachers are prepared for community service as well as classroom teaching. (LKS)

A review of novels and teacher textbooks from the early 1900s shows an image of teachers far more diverse than the nostalgic one held by many Americans today. Teachers were often young and poorly prepared in academics and pedagogy, and they struggled with disobedient students for control of the school. (KS)

Describes various approaches to multicultural education and their objectives. Considers characteristics of rural schools, social and economic trends in rural areas, and rural culture and attitudes related to relatively homogeneous population. Examines ways in which multicultural education goals and strategies are relevant to rural school reform…

Literature review found approximately 5-9 percent of school children having clinically significant voice disorders that interfere with classroom communication and may be a symptom of underlying illness. However, voice disorders are grossly underidentified and underserved, particularly in rural schools with personnel shortages. Proposes a teacher…

Addresses the value of quantitative management and its potential to support qualitative sources of information and to help rural school administrators recognize patterns and trends relevant to educational planning and administration. Describes three situations in which quantitative information was used for improving educational outcomes and school…

Reviews literature on characteristics of rural schools and rural communities and compares these findings with the results of an open-ended survey of rural professionals about their experiences working in rural schools. Both sources identified limited resources as a problem, but quality of life issues were more explicitly identified by survey…

Examines the differences in adolescent perceptions of life events, the level of stress due to life events, and coping strategies from high schools in three rural communities. Study finds substantial support for the hypotheses that differences do exist between communities and genders on life events, level of stress, and coping strategies. Discusses…

Policymakers and educators see professional development as a way to improve the quality of instruction in classrooms across the nation, but the empirical literature linking professional development to improved student achievement is extremely thin. Logically, though, it would seem that the right kinds of professional development would improve…

Technological developments of the past decade have increased the potential of distance learning and telecommunications to help rural schools overcome disadvantages of remoteness, geographic isolation, lack of specialized staff, and limited program offerings. Classroom-focused distance learning is distance insensitive and involves transmission of a…

This booklet describes how the departments and ministries of education in the 10 Canadian provinces and in the Yukon are using technology to ensure that elementary and secondary students in small and rural schools have access to a full range of educational programs. Services to adults in basic education courses are also included. Activities range…

Reviews studies of cognitive development of high school students in small rural schools. Finds that while research clearly shows that students in small rural schools may not be as intellectually developed as students in large schools, little research has been done to identify possible causes for this difference. (BRR)

This paper presents findings from a district-wide survey of 7th grade students in a semi-rural school district where 23% of the students are Latino. Participating students completed the California School Climate and Safety Survey which assesses student perceptions regarding general school climate and personal safety-related experiences.…