This paper describes the efforts of a geographically isolated school district in Alaska to develop an outcome-based curriculum for preschool through 12th grade. In 1986, the new assistant superintendent for instruction introduced the idea of a district-wide outcome-based curriculum. The first curricular area selected for development was a…

The key to preparing today's teachers to carry out their professional responsibilities is not necessarily found in high-priced technologies, but rather in a new level of cooperation between universities and public schools and in new ways to deliver coursework. Indiana University offers inservice teacher education coursework through interactive…

A teacher study group was formed at Garfield Elementary School (Billings, Montana) to provide opportunities for professional development. Garfield Elementary has a student population of over 400 students, approximately 50 of whom qualify for special education services. The majority of children come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and…

Portfolio assessment, a technique traditionally used with elementary and secondary students, involves the presentation of a collection of individual work documenting the learner's efforts, progress, and achievement. Recently, it has been suggested that portfolio assessment be broadened in its application to include teacher hiring and evaluation.…

This paper provides a historical overview of sheltered workshops and presents information about service innovations and mission expansion. The first workshop in the United States was the Perkins Institute, opened in 1837 for individuals with visual handicaps. This workshop was typical of "categorical" workshops that were established during this…

A holistic training program for rural teachers of mainstreamed special-needs students and other students at risk sought to improve teacher knowledge about and attitudes toward high-risk students. The graduate-level course was delivered in 6 full days of instruction and included components covering innovative instructional methods, abuse and…

This paper describes the technology and benefits of distance education, especially microcomputer-assisted programs, for isolated schools with limited access to certified teachers. An interactive system known alternately as audiographics teleteaching and microcomputer-aided teleteaching was recently introduced at Brigham Young University's (BYU)…

Indiana University uses audiographic technology to provide off-campus graduate level training to teachers of at-risk and mildly handicapped students in several rural communities of southern Indiana. The At-Risk Program consists of six credits of academic instruction and six credits of supervised practicum focusing on school- and curriculum-based…

Substance abuse is pervasive in both rural and urban settings. Previous attempts to educate America's youth as to its dangers have not reduced the numbers of adolescents involved in the drug culture. The assertiveness-based "Just Say No" campaign attempts to counter peer pressure to use drugs, but is hampered by our society's…

This paper reviews results of a questionnaire distributed to literacy workers in rural Alberta (Canada) to ascertain their views on rural literacy. The questionnaire was designed to identify: (1) distinctive features of the issue of adult illiteracy in rural areas; (2) the strengths of literacy efforts in rural Alberta; (3) the weaknesses of…

In 1984 the Pennsylvania Department of Education notified school districts that they could not deny pregnant or parenting students an education; could not put them on homebound instruction in the absence of medical conditions; and could not place them involuntarily in segregated alternative programs. The state supplied additional funds to start…

Project CIRCUIT (Curriculum Improvement Resulting from Creative Utilization of Instructional Two-Way Television), a two-way interactive video and audio system serving the schools of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, was evaluated in its second year through interviews with teachers, students, administrators, and the project director, and examination…

Legislated change in rural schools districts may be slow and painful. This paper describes the ambience of a rural Texas K-12 school through the eyes of a new science teacher with northern and urban education experience and through the observations of an outside researcher. Attitudes that learning is not important, that hard subjects need not be…

In 1986 Bemidji State University (BSU), located in rural northern Minnesota, began an outreach distance learning program for the preservice education of elementary teachers. This college program delivers junior and senior year education courses to students 100 miles plus from the main campus. Junior and senior year requirements are completed in a…

An approach to occupational therapy (OT) in a rural school is described which utilizes a combination of direct service, monitoring, and consultation. A collaborative style of OT consulting is used, which calls for the therapist to join the child study team when motor-related problems are identified. The approach provides continuous and…