The articles of this theme issue explore the use of educational research and whether the American Educational Research Association should play more of an advocacy role in the educational policymaking process. The challenge is one of expanding debate and discussion on educational research beyond the research community to the policy process. (SLD)

Addresses both the need to gather data related to pending federal legislation having an impact on the elementary school counselor, with the intent to provide the results of that data to members of Congress, and to heighten awareness of the need to provide elementary school counseling opportunities in the rural regions of one midwestern state. (KW)

Raises questions about current rural sociology from a critical theory perspective. Provides a brief historical analysis of its theoretical and applied roots. Suggests interweaving of research, practice, and advocacy as way to bring rural sociologists back into policy making. (LFL)