From 2004-06, the Osage Nation of Oklahoma reformed its government from a tribal council system to a tripartite constitution. Following this reorganization, through a community outreach effort a 25-year strategic plan was developed to guide the Nation moving forward. Now, a decade into the plan, recent Osage land (re)acquisition across the…

In this descriptive and comparative study, we present results highlighting the complexity and scope of the challenges facing rural districts as they navigate the changing demographics of the students and families they serve. Rapid increases in the number and concentration of racially, culturally, and linguistically diverse students in rural areas…

The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of two contrasting pedagogies (i.e., experiential learning and direct instruction) on students' retention of agricultural knowledge over time. A six-week deferred post-test was employed to assess long-term retention of the subject matter. The results indicated that initially, students who were…

Surveys returned by 11 teachers of the hearing impaired in rural areas of Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma were analyzed. Concerns included the wide age range of student caseloads, geographic isolation, too many roles to perform, teacher burnout, and isolation within the educational system. The survey is appended. (DB)

Thirty-three rural Oklahoma schools participated in conference telephone calls, dubbed electronic "field trips," which allowed students and teachers to hear presentations from experts in politics, art, science, and the work world, and then ask questions. Presents evaluation results showing the program's strengths and weaknesses. Program…

Examined perceptions of 75 rural principals, 75 superintendents, 75 school board presidents, and 75 teachers of competencies for which the rural secondary school principal should be held responsible. Subjects completed a 60-item questionnaire categorized into 12 general areas. Differences between perceptions and what actually exist were also…

A survey of 292 rural Oklahoma teachers and administrators examined the implementation and impact of reforms mandated by the Oklahoma Education Reform Act (1990): actual changes in their school district and in rural districts statewide; personal and professional impact of the reforms; which reforms were having the most impact; impact on daily…

Over its 40 years, Head Start has evolved from serving a population of primarily Spanish-speaking English-language learners to working with children and families who speak more than 140 different languages. In some Head Start classrooms, as many as 10 different languages are used by the children. In other classrooms, a majority of the…

Autobiographical sketches of 67 retired male Oklahoma teachers, written in 1975, depict the historical variation of male dominance in education profession, male teachers' career patterns and social expectations of them as role models for boys and "fathers" to their communities during 1910s-30s. Included are tables of male teacher…

Describes the German by Satellite program broadcast by Oklahoma State University to small rural high schools. Outlines school costs for program participation and equipment purchases. Lists program strengths and weaknesses identified in a survey of administrators in 30 participating schools. (SV)

A survey addressed the financial impact of state-mandated reforms on 40 rural Oklahoma school districts. A majority of school administrators surveyed reported that they did not receive adequate dollars to meet curriculum standard mandates and the minimum teacher salary schedule. Long-term results may include consolidation. (LP)

Case studies of four long-term rural Oklahoma superintendents, including interviews with community leaders and school district personnel, identified characteristics and attributes that have contributed to the success of these superintendents: effective leadership and communication skills, an acute sense of community awareness, active involvement…