Educators who pursue an advanced degree or certification in special education must learn and master the Advanced Content Standards as set forth by the Council for Exceptional Children. These six content standards were validated by the CEC to guide educators through the process of assuming an advanced role in special education teaching or…

Often, development organizations confront a tradeoff between program priorities and operational constraints. These constraints may be financial, capacity, or logistical; regardless, the tradeoff often requires sacrificing portions of a program. This work is concerned with figuring out how, when constrained, an organization or program manager can…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how literature discussion affects middle school struggling readers. The focus was on 16 middle school struggling readers in a rural Title I school in the southeastern United States. Findings indicated that (a) literature discussion increased student enjoyment of reading, and (b) students…

A survey examined the mission, operation, and services of statewide formal networks addressing the concerns of rural school systems. Of 21 known state rural education associations, responses were received from 10: Arizona, California, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New York, Ohio, and Texas. Respondents indicated that, in general,…

This paper examines the literacy services provided by public libraries in the rural areas (communities of 25,000 people or less) of West Virginia and Kentucky. Of the 93 libraries (68%) which responded to the survey, 89.8% acknowledge illiteracy as being a problem. However, although 92% of the librarians agree that illiteracy programs are an…

This paper examines the knowledge and acceptance level of special and general education teachers and administrators regarding inclusive education within the rural and diverse state of New Mexico. While inclusive education of disabled students has gained widespread support, little attention has been paid to program implementation within a rural and…

This study assessed the second year of a 5-year project--the Carroll Instructional Television Consortium--which uses two-way interactive cable television (both audio and video) as an alternative method of delivering courses in four small rural high schools in Illinois. Specific evaluation questions investigated the instructional effectiveness of…

This technical assistance handbook contains information on identifying Kentucky gifted students, including gifted students who live in rural areas or who are economically disadvantaged. Included in the handbook are: (1) recommendations for ensuring equity in the identification and assessment process; (2) a draft of a school district policy on…

A survey of 183 rural and nonrural science teachers in northeast Texas revealed that rural science teachers were often inexperienced, uncertified, young graduates who taught three or more class assignments in older, inadequately supplied classrooms. Both rural and nonrural teachers expressed dissatisfaction with equipment and supplies. Includes…

This report describes activities and accomplishments of a 3-year project at Sinte Gleska University (South Dakota) which revised the school's Human Services curriculum and training model and normed a variety of assessment instruments on Lakota people. Sinte Gleska University is a tribally chartered institution, located on an Indian reservation,…

A survey of 39 special and general education teachers and administrators from 7 New Mexico towns assessed their knowledge and acceptance level of fully inclusive education within the rural, culturally and linguistically diverse state. The results were analyzed by two subpopulations, general and special education teachers, and the total population…

This document reports on a six-part study conducted during 1993-94 evaluating rural secondary education in Alaska. A survey of 152 graduates of Mt. Edgecumbe High School (a boarding school attended by rural students) examined how well their educational experiences prepared them for college, trade school, and employment. A telephone survey of 800…

One of the results of rural school district consolidation has been the potential for schisms that develop among the divergent populations with distinct traditions, culture, and customs. This paper presents research on an Appalachian school district that remains in cultural turmoil after 25 years of consolidation. The population of the three…