Washington State University, Responsibility Opportunity Advocacy and Respect (WSU ROAR) is an inclusive 2-year residential postsecondary education program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. WSU ROAR is a recognized comprehensive transition program located in rural eastern Washington. Within the program, there are four…

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…

Reviews a rural Washington State teacher's experience in approaching the sensitive topic of sex education. Includes advice on dealing with opposing parents, church, and school officials. The reported lesson considered the biology and reproduction of a pet boa constrictor. (TES)

The rural girls in science program presented a comprehensive model of the entire scientific process. National Science Foundation funded a program, which targeted girls in rural schools serving American Indian or Latina, who are less fortunate than American students of Washington State.

Provides an overview and discusses outcomes of the Rural Girls in Science (RGS) program which was developed to foster interest in science, engineering, and mathematics among rural high school girls in the state of Washington. Replaces initial guiding concepts (self-esteem and scientific pipeline) with science-affirming and affirming science…

Describes an approach to combining health and social work services in a small community in a nontraditional setting through the use of a multidisciplinary student training project. Discusses professional relationships, service provision, patient use of services, and patient satisfaction. Provides suggestions for the establishment of similar…

The purpose of this study was to explore the reasons 162 rural area high school students participate in the dual enrollment program. Dual enrollment programs allow high school students to enroll in college courses for credit prior to high school graduation with local school districts covering the cost of tuition. Participants in this study were…

Discusses the problems and impact of national trends on small towns and how small towns in eastern Washington have adapted to social and economic change. Illustrates how small towns try to address contemporary concerns such as computerization, the environment, and the expanding needs of their communities while continuing to hold on to their…

Rural community-based graduate medical education programs in family practice generate highly trained physicians who typically settle and practice in rural communities. In response to federal funding cutbacks and revised accreditation requirements that threatened its program, the Colville, Washington, Mount Carmel Hospital agreed to fully fund its…

A survey of 93 speech-language pathologists in Washington state found significant differences between rural and urban settings for amounts and types of continuing education, contact with peers, and plans for changing job settings, but found similarities for time spent in direct services, number of students served, contact with supervisors, and job…

Washington statewide data indicate that attrition rates did not differ between rural and urban special educators, but were twice as high for rural special educators as general educators. Interviews with special educators focus on soaring rural special education enrollments and difficulties in rural teacher recruitment. Contains 23 references. (SV)

A survey of rural Washington school board presidents posed conflict scenarios and asked the presidents to choose one of five possible recommendations for resolving the conflict. Recommendations corresponded to five power bases used by people in leadership positions. Results showed that power base preferences varied significantly among school board…

Examines a multicriteria assessment process for identification of gifted minority students in a small rural Washington school district. Describes the case study of a gifted at-risk migrant student with limited English proficiency, his identification as gifted, and subsequent instructional program. (SV)

Designed for rural areas in Washington state, the Early Childhood Home Instruction Program for Young Hearing Impaired Children (ECHI) provides an opportunity for hearing-impaired children and their families to receive individual training, acquire information, address concerns, and promote child development within the familiar surroundings of their…

Survey of 141 rural special education teachers from Washington State indicated that teachers were unfamiliar with telecomputer networks and their potential use in the classroom, rarely used computer technology at home or at school, and perceived lack of knowledge as the biggest obstacle to using telecomputer networks and resources in the…