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)

Describes the National Assessment of Educational Progress Model and outlines and advocates its application in research on rural social studies. Notes its usefulness in assessment situations. Explains how the model will produce data descriptive of a target population and will permit the comparison of local and national results. (SB)

Evaluates effectiveness of resource teacher services in mainstreamed rural classrooms in four districts in Quebec. Finds relationships between distance, staff ratio, interpersonal skills/competence, and rate of service delivery. Verifies Hurder theory that service delivery is influenced by access, disposition, and organization variables. (LFL)

Describes a model of relative ruralness for rural states. Applies model to North Dakota, generating descriptions of principals (age, sex, teachers supervised, salary, contract time, experience, expectations, etc.) and districts (enrollment, assessed valuation, total mills levied, per pupil costs, accredidation levels). Compares principals and…