Rural schools will probably remain small as more expensive transportation eliminates consolidation. New attention directed toward America's rural schools will probably therefore be of greatest value if it inspires greater creativity in dealing with the advantages and disadvantages of small size. Part of a theme issue on rural education.…

Examines history and nature of U.S. educational reforms and restructuring. Discusses implications for rural schools of restructuring, changing educational policy, and funding policies. Suggests restructuring can imply values of local control, community involvement, limited bureaucracy, and educational innovation toward raising school…

This paper examines and questions popular ideas about education and its relationship to the economic well-being of individuals, communities, regions, and the nation. It suggests that the criteria used to develop economic and educational strategies have produced mixed results at best, especially in rural areas. Since family income is related to…

Attention is being directed to telecommunications and computer technologies as a possible way of delivering education to small rural schools in a cost-effective way. Characteristics of new technology and environmental changes having particular relevance for rural schools include the abilities to transcend space, network, redefine learning as…

Examines shared education perceptions regarding school effectiveness; expansion, operation, resources, test scores, and the role of schools in education. Questions traditional beliefs regarding school size and educational quality. Introduces new ideas created by innovation and reform. Examines rural education, employment and economic development…