Reviews federal efforts to develop a rural education federal agenda, five basic problems of rural areas which lend themselves to federal solutions, Department of Education proposals for fiscal year 1982, significant federal responses/already in progress, and strengths and advantages of rural schools. (AN)

Describes highlights of educational programs at Divide County High School (Crosby, North Dakota), which was one of the few rural schools cited by President Reagan in 1984 for excellence in education under the Secondary School Recognition Program. (BRR)

Examines a rural principal's job minute by minute, focusing on the countless problems of varying importance that fill the work day. Explains the importance of the principalship and how the principal provides warmth, respect, freedom, and success to people. (SB)

Word problems for rural students should be meaningful to their way of life. Parents, older students, and students themselves are the best sources of accurate, up-to-date, and authentic word problems. Providing a format to use in problem development insures uniformity and provision of necessary information. (Author/CM)

Provides suggestions for selection and use of media equipment and material. Tabular displays include an instructional design model, a media classifications layout, and a specifications chart. (AN)

The article describes both the advantages and disadvantages of living and teaching in a remote rural area, where the teacher must function as both teacher and janitor. (SB)

Describes a 9-district, 750 employee self-insurance cooperative in northeast Missouri that achieved a $90,000 balance over claims in just 9 months of operation. Explains mechanics of plan operation including level of benefits, premiums, financial integrity, and results. (NEC)

Provides a personal account of the author's grade school years in the Independence School in Colorado. (AH)

Acknowledging that "under certain circumstances, the small school should be closed," this article traces how one small school was rescued through research into small school benefits and use of the media to inform the community. The welfare of the students is emphasized as the "only consideration" in the closing of a school. (LC)

Relates experiences and impressions gained from visiting rural primary schools in Victoria, Australia, as a science consultant. Concludes that the schools are functional, well cared for, and a pleasant, active center of rural communities. (BRR)

Surveyed Kansas teachers from small, medium, and large schools to determine if there were differences in instructional duties of teachers in schools of different sizes. Revealed that, although there were many similarities in types of duties required, teachers in small schools do have more noninstructional duties. (AH)

Describes Gunnison Watershed School District's alternative approach for shortening the school year via adding 26 minutes to each school day and thus eliminating 12 days from the standard 180 days required for meeting the required number of intructional hours. (AH)

By using special teachable moments, small segments of lessons, or short periods of time during the school day, classroom teachers can integrate cooperative games, rhythmical activities, fundamentals of movement, outdoor recreation, and leisure concepts into the rural elementary school curriculum. Prime considerations should include fun, action,…

Notes the traditional budget problem with rural school staff development. Describes the workings of the In-Service Council, a quality circle method used by rural schools in Dansville (New York) to advise the administration on necessary staff development programs, based on needs assessments, to maintain and improve faculty performance levels. (SB)

A community education project in Brooks County, Georgia, began in 1977 with five people, developed county-wide support, and now includes a community education county council, federal funding, volunteer programs, after-school programs, agricultural education (especially swine production), and a day-care center. (AN)