Rural youth are now graduating from high school at rates comparable to their peers in urban and suburban schools, however far fewer rural youth pursue postsecondary education. Using a comparative case study method, we explore postsecondary preparation efforts at three rural school districts. Each case represents a different classification of…

Access has been an ongoing issue for rural students. In this study, I examined factors that have been proven barriers and supports for rural students. Rural college students who were part of the TRiO program at a flagship university shared barriers and supports to access higher education. Students talked about their college journeys by telling…

This study examines the relationship between four independent variables (gender, age, reservation background, and cultural traditionalism) with three dependent variables (assessment of college, transition to college, and impact of college on an appreciation of Native heritage) among a sample of American Indian students attending a small, rural…

This study is a quantitative descriptive research design which compared 1995 and 2005 data regarding family influence on rural Pennsylvania high school seniors' postsecondary decisions. A chi-square analysis at p less than 0.05 determined that there was (a) an increase in students planning college attendance, (b) a decrease in students not…

A nontraditional Master's degree program in educational administration at South Dakota State University was designed to encourage participation by women and minorities. Twenty-four women completed the two-year program, which featured weekend classes, reduced tuition, and special courses focusing on instructional leadership, administrative vision,…

Presents case studies of school-community partnerships in rural schools in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, and York, Nebraska. Explores community characteristics that support or block school-community development alliances. Found effective leadership and the small size of the community to be two supportive characteristics. (KS)

Addresses the shortage of competent applicants for rural principalships. Options for hiring includes (1) selection of principals from outside the rural district; or (2) preappointment of in-district candidates. Describes demographics of typical rural principals and the failings of university training programs. Suggests strategies to address the…

The five-year rural elementary teacher education program at the University of Victoria, British Columbia, features extended field experience in remote rural schools and communities. The program seeks to provide preservice elementary teachers with a realistic awareness of the rural teacher's worklife. (SV)

Rural Clinton County (Ohio) designed a mentoring program utilizing one full-time county mentor working with 11 "buddy" teachers who provided the daily services needed by entry-level teachers. All participants attend training at Wilmington College before the school year, and monthly workshops are held for buddy teachers alone, entry-year…

Reports results of a study assessing reading maturity among 188 college-bound students in seven small rural schools and compares results to surveys of seventh graders and college freshmen. Describes the 15-minute reading survey completed by the students and lists 15 ways to develop reading maturity in small rural schools. (JHZ)

Outcome-based education (OBE) and authentic assessment have the potential to greatly improve teacher and counselor preparation programs in rural higher education institutions, but require paradigm shifts, especially at the faculty and administration level, for successful implementation. Characteristics and advantages of OBE and authentic…

Describes the development of teacher education programs at Henderson State University (Arkansas). Through extensive collaboration with school districts in its primarily rural service area, the university has modified Goodlad's urban-focused model of the professional development school to fit rural circumstances. (SV)

The Effective Schools Project (ESP) is a collaborative staff development program serving public schools surrounding Tarleton State University in rural Texas since 1988. Describes how schools become involved in ESP, school improvement activities, program administration, the role of the university in program implementation, and professional…

Describes a program developed by Henderson State University (Arkadelphia, Arkansas) that provides professional support to first-year teachers in rural school districts. First-year teachers are assigned to a mentor teacher who is responsible for on-site support. Both beginning and mentor teachers earn graduate credit by attending classes addressing…

Teachers at a rural elementary school slated for consolidation, worked with teacher education students during a full-day teaching experience that resulted in both classroom teachers and university students expanding their understanding of the teaching culture. The benefits of this experience included easing teacher transition to a new school…