Discusses ongoing efforts of the National Rural Education Association (NREA) to support rural research and data collection activities. Describes research activities and projects at three university-based rural education research centers established with NREA endorsement. Provides criteria and application procedures for NREA-endorsed research…

Contrasts and compares historical research on rural and Native American education and regional novels ("To Kill a Mockingbird" and "Laughing Boy") in order to demonstrate the importance of diversity in the concept of rurality. Suggests regional novels are an important component in the study of rural education. (AH)

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)

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)

The purpose of this study was to explore the reasons 162 rural area high school students participate in the dual enrollment program. Dual enrollment programs allow high school students to enroll in college courses for credit prior to high school graduation with local school districts covering the cost of tuition. Participants in this study were…

Valdosta State University (Georgia) uses audio/video conferencing in its teacher education program, a low-cost alternative to travel that enables student teachers to access the expertise of their supervisors more frequently; supervisors to observe student teachers; simultaneous interactions between supervisor, student teacher, and mentor, or among…

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)

Describes a collaborative project to design a personnel development system for Northeast rural educators. Defines collaboration. Explains initiation of collaborative staff development and the collaborative role of colleges and universities. Applies collaborative planning to leadership training and describes the training of a leadership team for…

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…

Because of their ethnic/racial homogeneity, Appalachian schools often see multicultural education as irrelevant. Teacher education must link the oppression of Appalachia with that of more visible minority groups; show how knowledge is subjective; and emphasize that true national unity results from honoring diversity. Teachers will then realize…

Southeast Missouri State University revised its teacher education program to include field-based experiences in each of its four blocks of courses. Student teachers are placed in rural and urban schools with pupils from various socioeconomic, cultural, racial, and disability groups. A survey of 225 cooperating teachers and student teachers…

Indiana University Purdue University Columbus reorganized its teacher education program to socialize students to the teaching profession and increase collegiality. Communication between faculty, students, and cooperating elementary schools has increased; America Reads program has facilitated partnerships with local schools and increased exposure…

The use of portfolio assessment in the principal preparation programs of Southwest Baptist University (Missouri), Stephen F. Austin State University (Texas), and five other universities is described. Generally, portfolios are used for encouragement of professional growth through self-assessment, for external judgment of principal effectiveness,…

An art education teacher-educator discusses the strengths and potential of rural education, arising from the sense of community found in small rural schools. Gives six suggestions to art teacher-educators concerning integrating art with other curricula, utilizing technology in art education, ensuring that rural students are afforded equal…

A preservice teacher education program takes small teams of preservice teachers and their students into a rural Nebraska community to foster an appreciation of the local community, localize the curriculum, and give future teachers experience in planning and conducting field trips. Experiences from the field trips are shared and expanded upon in…