Learning at a distance can be challenging for preservice teacher education students living in remote rural sites. The Department of Special Education at Utah State University (USU) uses technology to overcome student isolation by linking students to supportive university learning communities. Many students in the USU distance education, special…

This paper focuses on the difficulties faced by rural school districts in their efforts to serve children with severe multiple disabilities. Both historic and contemporary views on mainstreaming and inclusion of students with multiple disabilities are presented. Concerns of educators about the inclusion of such students center around the amount of…

Describes the South Dakota Rural Special Education Personnel Model which emphasizes retraining rural special educators as special education generalists. The project attacks three major impediments to personnel recruitment/retention, i.e., lack of community resources, inappropriate preservice preparation, and poor relationship with administrators…

This descriptive study examined the impact of special education policy on three disadvantaged, rural students with severe disabilities. Findings revealed a school day with little or no instruction and limited opportunities for peer interaction due to such factors as personnel shortages and lack of positive service examples. (Author/DB)

Reports the opinions of 101 rural Arizona teachers on (1) the effectiveness of various classroom strategies used with hyperactive students; (2) the helpfulness of advice given by other professionals and parents about handling such students; and (3) the adequacy of preservice training in needed skills. Contains 11 references. (SV)

Describes a three-tiered educational system where local education agencies (LEAs) organize into educational collaboratives responsible to the state education agency (SEA). Synthesizes the findings of current studies that address the economic and programmatic variables related to the operation of effective educational collaboratives in rural areas.…

The traditional conception of rural as homogeneously agricultural has become archaic. This paper reviews definitions of rural diversity related to rural special education and proposes a broad definition based upon culture of community and region. In the late 1970s, the National Rural Project identified "problems" in rural special…

A survey examined the grade retention of learning disabled students in North Dakota and parental aspirations for these students at the postsecondary level. Questionnaires were completed by 251 parents of learning disabled students in grades K-12 in 3 North Dakota regional consortia for special education services. About half reported that their…

The principal of a small rural high school in Vermont documented the amount of time spent at work over 60 days in 5 categories, including conflict and special education. A literature review revealed that researchers have paid little attention to the principal's role in special education and conflict problems. The study sought to determine how much…

The need to upgrade programs and services in rural communities is rapidly moving toward a critical juncture. A rural telecommunication network could act as an equalizer through: serving information needs of people in the fields of entertainment, education, health, governments, business, and industry; or serving special populations such as the…

Reports two transdisciplinary interventions conducted by an Itinerant school nurse. The case studies presented involve a Prader-Willi syndrome student enrolled in a class for the trainable mentally handicapped and a student enrolled in a regular fourth grade classroom but considered at risk for placement in a behavior disorders setting. (JHZ)

Uses data from 1985 and 1988 surveys of 48 rural West Virginia school districts to assess changes in patterns of personnel deployment and program implementation related to students with severe disabilities. Examines staff ratios, certification issues, teacher recruitment and retention problems, service delivery, and service configurations.…

Describes school activities of two seven-year-old children (one rural, one urban) with low incidence disabilities. Finds similarities and differences in context and content of school activities, amount of engaged time, student heterogeneity, and in teacher training. Recommends research toward improving special education for low incidence disabled…

Identifies unique problems associated with developing gifted programs in rural schools. Makes suggestions to administrators concerning proper emphasis on program planning, sensitivity during the identification procedures, financial and transportation difficulties, and fostering community support. 8 references. (SV)