On December 10, 2015 President Obama signed the "Every Student Succeeds Act," Public Law 114-95, which will take effect in the fall of 2016 and which replaces No Child Left Behind (NCLB)--the name for the nation's suite of K-12 education laws in effect from 2001 to 2016. There are many similarities between NCLB and ESSA. For example,…

This article reports a study of rural school principals' assessment leadership roles and the impact of rural context on their work. The study involved three focus groups of principals serving small rural schools of varied size and grade configuration in three systems. Principals viewed assessment as a matter of teacher accountability and as a…

Dunne (1978) suggested three major tasks of the 1980s which confront those concerned with rural issues: (1) basic research on small school problems, practices, and unique features; (2) curriculum and program development which builds on these features; and (3) elaboration and implementation of models for funding and regulating small schools.…

Examines characteristics of small rural schools that contribute to school effectiveness. Discusses program implementation, school climate, teacher morale, teacher cooperation, the work ethic, parent involvement, student involvement, and relationships among teachers, administrators, parents, students, and the community. (SV)

Explains how interactive television is expanding course offerings in two remote, sparsely populated Northern Michigan school districts (Cheboygan and Mackinaw City), how interactive television works, and how the programs were made operational in less than two years. Offers reflections about the program and plans for expansion. (NEC)

Describes high school courses, K-12 student enrichment programing, and inservice teacher training offered by interactive (two-way audio) instructional television satellite systems. Outlines the benefits of live, satellite television instruction for rural and small schools. Contains 11 references. (SV)

Examined relationship between 1983-84 Nebraska high school enrollments and program breadth and junior-senior high school enrollments and teacher endorsement rates. Concluded rural district reorganization/consolidation resulting in larger secondary grade enrollments would probably result in more course offerings but would not affect percentage of…

Compares and contrasts first year teaching experiences of a grandmother (1919) and granddaughter (1980) in small, isolated, rural New Mexico schools. Offers suggestions for improving recruitment and retention of rural teachers in areas of salary, housing conditions, school philosophy and morale, student population, and community life. (NEC)

Recent literature on rural education offers many research possibilities because it contains conflicting and contradictory statements on social class, student attitude, innovative teaching, teacher turnover, and school-community relations, many of which are the result of empirical research. (CM)

A program promoting international education in South Dakota's rural elementary schools has provided staff development opportunities and assistance in curriculum modification based on information about the status of international education in the schools and student knowledge of the world. The program succeeds where key teachers and administrators…

Only nine of 306 public, four-year colleges/universities reported teacher training course(s) devoted solely to study of rural/small schools. Most of the 87 including rural education as part of curriculum did so only as special topic of general course. Only 93 of 306 institutions reported faculty pursuing rural education interests. (NEC)

A case study of a successful alternative school in South Carolina for rural at-risk students suggests that the school exhibits four characteristics of successful urban schools for at-risk students: small class size, caring staff, school as community, and program flexibility. Two other vital features are the leadership role of the principal and a…

Describes educational principles and practices of village schools in Baselland Canton, Switzerland. Examines educational philosophy, administrative and school structure, financial support, curricula and grading, and perceptions of teachers and administrators. Suggests that the Swiss are content with their educational system and level of school…

A study of randomly selected Nebraska schools found that small rural elementary schools tended to employ teachers with fewer years of experience than did larger rural or semirural schools. Of 29 rural schools with one or two teachers, there were 14 schools (48%) where average teacher experience was 0-3 years. (JHZ)

Describes survey of student use of microcomputers in 319 small and 350 large public high schools throughout the United States. Finds 99% of schools owned microcomputers chiefly for instructional purposes. Discusses problems of large student/computer ratios, high costs of microcomputers and software, and teacher reluctance to use new technology.…