The factors of people, technology, structure, and task provide a sociotechnical model for understanding the essential elements of schools as organizations. Schools can be understood as cultures and managed as such. Effective schools focus on a task-oriented organizational culture that meaningfully involves all participants in the key elements of…

Describes problems and some advantages and disadvantages of small rural primary schools. Topics discussed include school closures, finance, teacher/pupil relationships and interactions, interruptions and the teaching head, adult/adult relationships, the small school environment, and approaches to learning. (RH)

Presents arguments, based on Thomas Kuhn's work, that most research on rural and small schools proceeds from previous scientific achievements, and that researchers' (outsiders') preconceived and approximated reality forces the nature of rural and small schools into an inflexible box. Contains 40 references. (Author/SV)

The article describes both the advantages and disadvantages of living and teaching in a remote rural area, where the teacher must function as both teacher and janitor. (SB)

There is not any one thing or any one group that can solve all the problems involved in staffing rural and small schools. It is quite common to find a bimodel distribution of teaching faculty in rural and small schools--those with less than 3 years and those with more than 10 years of experience. It could be inferred that either recruitment…

Presents some of the arguments and reviews the research on small school districts. Based on experiences in Indiana, contends that consolidated school superiority is exaggerated. With proper planning and innovation, small schools can effectively share human, material, and financial resources. Eighteen references are provided. (MLF)

Provides a personal account of the author's grade school years in the Independence School in Colorado. (AH)

Examines characteristics of small rural schools that contribute to school effectiveness. Discusses program implementation, school climate, teacher morale, teacher cooperation, the work ethic, parent involvement, student involvement, and relationships among teachers, administrators, parents, students, and the community. (SV)

A teacher intern discusses her experiences in Bendick Murrell Public School in rural New South Wales, and the benefits of attending a small school. The school's own initiatives include literacy targeting, an extensive music education program, an Indonesian language program, extended sporting opportunities, public speaking and debating, computer…

Much progress has been made in the quest for better rural schools. In 1977, People United for Rural Education (PURE) began its work as an advocate for rural education and small schools. In 1979, PURE was notified that it was to receive the National Volunteer Activist Award. In 1980, the Rural/Regional Education Association became the Rural…

The article discusses conditions in rural school settings which may create or exacerbate problems of burnout among rural school pyschologists. Specifically, problems concerning role and function, professional support, visibility, and preservice training are related to rural practice. Also, suggestions for coping with stress and burnout in rural…

A teacher intern describes her experiences in a small K-6 school in rural, central west New South Wales (Australia), focusing on community and parent involvement in the school, the benefits of multigrade classes, the close relationships of students and staff, and extracurricular activities. (SV)

Improved strategies for sharing resources are absolutely essential to the survival of small schools. Although not all, or even a major portion, of school programs should be provided by a cooperative delivery system, a discerning superintendent and board will mobilize every resource available to them in conducting their educational programs.…

Any program for the state, local, or federal levels designed to produce more math and science teachers should recognize the special needs of the small, rural, and isolated school. Rural teachers can expect generalized teaching assignments with a greater diversity of subject matter responsibilities than teachers in larger, urban settings. There is…

Devising appropriate service delivery for gifted individuals is never an easy task and is especially challenging in rural areas. Characteristics of rural schools may be both barriers and benefits to gifted education. Limited numbers may mean that programming options for gifted students are unfeasible, but small schools and classes make…