Dedication and commitment are useful terms to apply when discussing teacher quality and excellence, especially in rural contexts. A two-stage case study examined archival data on teachers and teaching in Vermont and northern New England and interviewed 12 outstanding rural teachers from low income districts throughout Vermont. The teaching…

Recent research indicates that problems in the transition from school to employment are frequent among students with learning disabilities, particularly those in rural areas. While a systematic approach to transition appears to be beneficial, the best method for implementing such an approach is still in question. One hundred seventeen special…

This report addresses the need to assess teacher attitudes toward teaching culturally diverse youth in West Virginia. West Virginia ranks as the second most rural state in the nation, with a 64 percent rural population. Nevertheless, West Virginia's culture is becoming increasingly pluralistic, and many students are finding that they cannot…

Seven rural counties on Maryland's Eastern Shore cooperated in a 3-year project to determine the feasibility of using microcomputers to instruct special education students in writing skills. All 42 participating teachers received inservice training in teaching writing to special education students; the 26 teachers in the experimental group were…

This study was conducted as part of a project to increase the number of certified teachers who serve students with behavior disorders in the rural regions of West Virginia, improve the quality of training to participants at both the elementary and secondary levels, and retain certified teachers who teach students with behavior disorders. Improving…

Environmental factors, family relationships, school academic and social milieu, opportunities for achieving recognition, and general attitudes were studied in 10 rural Kansas communities. Five communities with high percentages and 5 with low percentages of students going to college were compared in an attempt to determine differences in values…

A survey of rural school administrators and college education faculty assessed attitudes toward educating the disabled and opinions about characteristics of effective rural education. Results documented a knowledge and attitude gap between rural and college educators. Both groups were unaware of issues identified in the research literature on…

Describes survey of student use of microcomputers in 319 small and 350 large public high schools throughout the United States. Finds 99% of schools owned microcomputers chiefly for instructional purposes. Discusses problems of large student/computer ratios, high costs of microcomputers and software, and teacher reluctance to use new technology.…

This paper reviews the research on mathematics teacher education and mathematics education reform to provide a possible foundation for educating mathematics teachers in rural Appalachia. The paper takes the position that teacher change has certain characteristics and impediments that are not limited to any particular circumstance. Research on…

Scores of 33 elementary science teachers on pre- and postmeasures of attitude toward science and science teaching showed that a year-long science workshop significantly reduced apprehension toward using science equipment, doing laboratory work, and discussing science topics. Contains 29 references. (Author/SV)

Surveys of 117 special education teachers and administrators in rural Louisiana identified training needs of rural special educators: (1) generic approaches to teaching rural exceptional children; (2) effective strategies for adapting curriculum; (3) working with families; (4) knowledge of current legislation; and (5) working with a wide diversity…

Questionnaires completed by Australian preservice teachers before and after practical experiences in isolated rural settings revealed the value of these experiences in developing positive attitudes toward teaching in rural schools and in sensitizing teachers to the culture and conditions associated with teaching in rural areas. (LP)

Describes how local, within-school factors at two rural elementary schools located in different parts of Kentucky influenced efforts to achieve the mandated goals of the Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990 (KERA). Discusses the tension created by imposing generic reform measures on very different rural places. An appendix presents KERA goals.…

Research has found that effective schools can be distinguished from less successful counterparts by five characteristics. These are: strong instructional leadership; high expectations for all students to learn; an orderly and positive learning environment; a carefully developed instructional focus; and regular measurement of student learning.…

In 1982 the "Recht decision," in Pauley v. Bailey, found school financing in West Virginia to be inequitable and prescribed quality standards for every aspect of public education. This report examines teachers' responses to resulting school reform efforts. In-depth interviews were conducted with over 200 selected teachers and…