A CONFERENCE FOR 13 WESTERN STATE DIRECTORS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION WAS HELD IN HELENA, MONTANA, MAY 31 - JUNE 2, 1967. THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS CONFERENCE WERE--(1) TO STIMULATE RESEARCH ACTIVITIES FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN IN WESTERN STATE DEPARTMENTS OF EDUCATION, (2) TO PROVIDE A FOLLOW-UP OF THE NATIONAL RESEARCH CONFERENCE ON SPECIAL EDUCATION…

The student bodies in 2 Leflore County schools in Mississippi are described and the number of dropouts and the holding power of these rural schools are estimated on the basis of the total enrollment data of each school during the period between 1960 and 1968. It is noted that there are marked differences in the stability indices and holding power…

Describes Technical Assistance Centers established by the Virginia Department of Education to provide support services to preschool professionals throughout the state. Technical assistance--provided only at the request of the person who will receive it--includes needs assessments, information services, library services, on- and off-site…

Live microwave broadcasts from two special education and six regular elementary classrooms are disseminated nationally via satellite, providing a special observation laboratory experience available to teacher preparation institutions. Observation theory is merged with effective teaching research in an instructional model that has demonstrated…

Two surveys were conducted to determine perceptions of administrators and teachers regarding the impact of Public Law 94-142 on programs for severely handicapped children in New Mexico's small, rural school districts. One year after the infusion of federal funding, 55 percent of the respondents perceived no improvement in the level of services.…

Special education teachers in rural and urban areas in California were asked to rate their present skill level and desired skill level for 13 bilingual special education teaching competencies. Both groups desired higher skills in all competencies, and both selected parent training skills as competencies they most desired to gain. (JHZ)

Multimedia instructional materials represent an important resource for teacher education programs in special education. They enable prospective special educators to observe and study important aspects of professional practice without the time and expense of actual field experiences. Multimedia materials can be a form of anchored instruction or…

This paper examined issues that affect rural students with exceptionalities and identified effective techniques to reverse problems confronting these students. Following an introductory section, an overview of rural special education programs identifies consistent problems of misidentification, mistakes in assessment, misclassification,…

Rural schools do not receive special compliance exemptions under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This paper examines the responsibilities of schools to students with disabilities, as outlined in IDEA regulations and court decisions, as well as implications for rural schools with limited funding and resources. Issues…

Describes effective, innovative methods used in serving rural handicapped students and their families. Discusses five methods to help parents with instructional support, and three methods which utilize the services of extension and community services offered at county and state levels. (JD)

Notes that India has experienced conditions that have lead to significant illiteracy, but that commitment to education can be found in lesser-known parts of India today. Profiles three schools in Tamil Nadu and describes a typical school day for a student with special needs, a student in a tribal setting, and a student in a rural setting. (TJQ)

Examines a multicriteria assessment process for identification of gifted minority students in a small rural Washington school district. Describes the case study of a gifted at-risk migrant student with limited English proficiency, his identification as gifted, and subsequent instructional program. (SV)

A minimally trained paraprofessional made 6 visits to the homes of mildly mentally retarded and behaviorally disordered rural primary students to teach their parents basic instructional methods in mathematics. After 12 weeks of parent tutoring, the mathematical performance of experimental subjects improved significantly compared to that of matched…

Presents an overview of educational technologies available for use with special education students in rural areas, including teleconferencing, computers, electronic mail, and interactive videodisc. Examines benefits and weaknesses of telecommunications use for students, teachers, and administrators. (SV)

Discusses five common rural impediments to equal access to gifted programs, and focuses on two under educators' control, program funding and student identification practices. Offers three approaches to local standardization of intelligence test norms. 11 references. (SV)