The three papers examine rural early education and related services for young children with handicaps. The first paper is entitled "A University Based Inservice Training Model for Personnel Serving Handicapped Preschoolers" by S. Stile and T. Pettibone and reports evaluation results of a New Mexico project serving 14 teachers with a 5…

Colonial educational development viewed education as: 1) means of training an elite to maintain the imported political/economical system; 2) a vehicle for creating individuals thoroughly conversant with alien values; 3) a commodity for the few of intellectual capability; 4) a broad based entity predicated upon literature, science, math, and…

The Wyoming Infant Stimulation Program (WISP) provides a comprehensive preschool program utilizing both center-based and home-based intervention for handicapped preschool children (age 0-3 years) and their families in rural Wyoming. A developmental-prescriptive model is used and the curriculum objective is that each child will progress according…

The rural community college has a unique opportunity to bring about social change in rural areas. This paper summarizes the needs and resources of the rural community and discusses the change techniques useful to the college administrator. The most valuable resource is the college staff who offer technical expertise and leadership not available…

The first quarter's activities and accomplishments of the Educational Policy Research Center in conducting an assessment and policy analysis of the Education Satellite Communication Demonstration are described and defined. Revisions of the study's original design are provided as background. Discussions of how to achieve the right conceptual mesh…

The U.S. lacks a well defined Federal policy for rural education, as those in decision making positions traditionally have represented urban and suburban interests. Much of the blame lies with those of us who are concerned with rural education, for it is our responsibility to see that policy makers are aware of and interested in the unique…

Schools face significant challenges in implementing computing technology within their curriculum. When technology support falters, the integrity of a school district's entire technology program is at risk. Teachers who have invested time to develop lesson plans using technology, especially those who are still newcomers, are less likely to continue…

The Alaska Rural Systemic Initiative (AKRSI) was established in 1994 under the auspices of the Alaska Native/Rural Education Consortium, representing over 50 organizations impacting education in rural Alaska. AKRSI's institutional homebase and support structure are provided by the Alaska Federation of Natives in cooperation with the University of…

An outline is proposed for a tertiary course in rural studies for professionals such as teachers, nurses, and social workers that would better prepare them for rural service. The course could be an elective in general studies or give credit toward professional certification. Key components for effective rural preparation of professionals should be…

There are concerns among educational theorists about the conservation of the environment and the rural life style and teaching students to be active community members. This has led to the publication of research papers on place-based theories, preservice teacher education, and a review of a national placed-based development program. The topic of…

Discusses results of questionnaires (2,847 sent, 1,100 returned) from a random sample of teachers, principals and school board members in 48 states. Schools/districts were K-12 under 300 pupils, high schools under 200 students, or elementary schools under 15 per grade. Lists rural strengths, rural education recommendations. (AN)

This paper describes types of interactive communications technologies relevant to education and discusses their current and potential uses in rural Australia. "Teleconferencing" is a generic term for interactive electronic communications. The four main types of teleconferencing--audio, audiographic, video, and computer (text)…

In light of the increasing diversity of students and the sweeping changes involved in the inclusion movement, many special education administrators in small and rural districts are not prepared to face the emerging challenges and responsibilities of their role. The Institute for Small and Rural Districts was established in 1990 by the Florida…

Although rural schools often are the center of community life, ownership of rural education is not necessarily vested in all elements of the community. Without diligent planning, many members of the rural community do not become stockholders in the community's largest enterprise, public education. The program approach to public education has…

This study compared the perceptions of a national sample of urban, suburban, and rural administrators (N=891, a 72% response) about minority dropout indicators to what current research literature identifies as highly-ranked causal variables related to minority dropout rates. The literature review identified the following causes of dropping out,…