Limited research has been done to examine teacher evaluation in rural schools. This article presents an analysis of legislation and regulation of teacher evaluation in selected rural states, highlights their commonalities and differences, reports their litigation, and speculates on potential problems that can result in rural schools. It ends with…

In rural Oklahoma, the role of the superintendent is often vastly different than that of superintendents in large cities. The superintendent is the leader of the school district, which is typically the community's largest employer. There are a few examples of superintendents who embrace this sometimes overwhelming responsibility and who are often…

A study examined characteristics and problems of rural Oklahoma school superintendents. Of 350 Oklahoma superintendents surveyed, most respondents were White males. Only 14 percent had completed their doctoral degree, and over half of their terminal degrees were not in educational administration. Relationships with school boards were positive, but…

A survey of 292 rural Oklahoma teachers and administrators examined the implementation and impact of reforms mandated by the Oklahoma Education Reform Act (1990): actual changes in their school district and in rural districts statewide; personal and professional impact of the reforms; which reforms were having the most impact; impact on daily…

Describes the German by Satellite program broadcast by Oklahoma State University to small rural high schools. Outlines school costs for program participation and equipment purchases. Lists program strengths and weaknesses identified in a survey of administrators in 30 participating schools. (SV)

Ten Oklahoma reading textbooks from five publishers contained 462 stories, of which 28% were multicultural. A survey of 148 teachers from 10 rural Oklahoma schools found that only 4% of books used in classrooms addressed cultural diversity. Tradebooks address cultural diversity better than textbooks, but are less available to rural teachers.…

A survey addressed the financial impact of state-mandated reforms on 40 rural Oklahoma school districts. A majority of school administrators surveyed reported that they did not receive adequate dollars to meet curriculum standard mandates and the minimum teacher salary schedule. Long-term results may include consolidation. (LP)

Case studies of four long-term rural Oklahoma superintendents, including interviews with community leaders and school district personnel, identified characteristics and attributes that have contributed to the success of these superintendents: effective leadership and communication skills, an acute sense of community awareness, active involvement…

Superintendents of nine Oklahoma school districts that voluntarily consolidated were interviewed to identify successful strategies related to teachers, parents and community, students, support staff, administrators, and board members, and to identify unsuccessful strategies. Assuring that students would benefit, addressing job security, and…