In this article, we describe the self-directed change made by a rural elementary school in response to a data-based examination of its service-delivery model that revealed its lowest performing students were spending most of their time with the school's least qualified staff. This mixed-method case study describes (a) why and how the school…

Since the enactment of Public Law 94-142, school districts have struggled to hire and retain required special education personnel (i.e., special education teachers, school psychologists, and related service providers). Data show that shortages of these qualified personnel are even more magnified in rural school districts. Distance education can…

The roles and responsibilities of school counselors who serve in rural settings have increased dramatically over the years. One new aspect of the school counselor's role is to provide inservice/preservice training for teachers and school staff. With the increasing numbers of paraprofessionals now working in the schools, there is a need to provide…

School-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) is a widely used framework for supporting student social and academic behavior. Implementation science indicates that one effective way to implement and scale-up practices, such as SWPBIS, is through coaching; thus, there is a need for efficient, cost-effective methods to develop…

In this paper, we address the shortage of behavior analysts serving rural communities and outline a model of service delivery for rural students with autism spectrum disorders. The model involves the use of pre-service behavior analysts to provide behavioral intervention to students with ASD in exchange for district-supported training and…

This article describes a model in special education personnel preparation designed to respond to needs in rural areas for fully licensed Director of Special Education and Pupil Services administrators. The program utilizes a fully online course format and also requires participants to complete a supervised practicum in their school districts.…

Outlines a model for development of a special physical education program, emphasizing methods that capitalize on strengths of small and rural schools. Discusses formation of a strategic planning team, assignment of special physical education staff, development of integrated instructional programing, relationship of regular and special education…

The pyramid model of staff training provides rural school districts with a practical low-cost solution to the problem of underqualified teachers of students with severe disabilities. In this model, special-education administrators or supervisors receive training in program improvement, train teachers in their districts, and provide ongoing…

Describes six rural service delivery models that place severely disabled students in regular classrooms: team teaching, pairing regular and special education teachers; parallel teaching by special educators within regular classrooms; regular classroom base with in-class or separate tutorial; regular classroom placement with dual-certified teacher…

Describes mastery learning, a teaching model that allows full inclusion of rural students with intense educational needs. The approach is based on curriculum modifications, team teaching, peer tutoring, and cooperative learning. Documents the success of mastery learning in the case of a rural first-grade student with Down's Syndrome. (LP)

Small rural schools incur greater expense and hardship to take advantage of staff development activities, usually held in cities or universities. The Iowa Intervention Initiative (III) overcame practical and logistic problems to hold teacher workshops for 79 small rural Iowa schools. Discusses III goals, recruitment of participants, selection and…

Describes inclusive practices in four small, rural Wisconsin schools. These models focus on scheduling for cross-categorical programming, including students with challenging behaviors, coteaching, and practicing inclusion in high school. Includes philosophy of inclusion and program features for each model. Contains 24 references. (SAS)

Describes unique aspects of rural provision of school psychological services. Discusses strategies within a collaborative consultation model in which the goals (primary, secondary, or tertiary prevention), levels of service (community/school, students, parents, or school personnel), and best approach (direct or indirect) of service delivery are…

A model for providing a continuum of comprehensive school-community services incorporates systems of prevention, early intervention, and care. Key components for addressing barriers to learning include classroom-focused enabling, student and family assistance, community outreach, home involvement, support for transitions, and crisis/emergency…

Examines the challenges of providing educational leadership in rapidly changing rural school settings. Describes a leadership development model that stresses learning in action, examines the role and responsibilities of school boards related to educational leadership, and suggests that the Individual Education Plan process can be a model for…