The University of Kansas offered two masters-level deaf education courses via compressed/interactive television (ITV) to remote rural sites. In 1992 and 1993 surveys, 16 course participants expressed satisfaction with the ITV delivery mode, and participants and instructors provided comments on various aspects of course delivery. (RE)

By wedding itself to the "ideology of sport" and associated notions of "manliness," physical education in Australia has retained little scope to advocate for cultural diversity. By maintaining that sport is universally popular amongst all children, physical education silences other ways in which children might find pleasure…

Describes survey in which rural elementary and secondary teachers ranked stress causes and coping strategies. Top causes included oversized classes, low salaries, high workload, and lack of public concern. Breaks down and examines results by age, gender, and years of experience. Recommends further research. (TES)

This paper describes how a vice principal at a rural Kentucky elementary school successfully implemented curriculum changes to meet the learning needs of young children. The change process also addressed the concerns of kindergarten teachers frustrated with the demands of teaching basal reader activities that eliminated explorative play and other…

This paper examines how inclusion services are delivered in Kentucky rural regular schools. Survey responses were received from special educators in 261 rural regular schools throughout Kentucky. Vocational schools, treatment centers, alternative schools, and other special schools were not included in the survey. Results indicate that…

This book contains 15 papers on current issues and future options in Australian rural education. Part 1 covers contemporary issues and includes: (1) "Issues in Education in Remote Rural Australia" (education of girls, education of Aboriginals, lifelong learning, and research needs) (Ted Scott); (2) "Redefining Remoteness in the Post…

Minority group students are disproportionately represented in special education programs and have alarmingly high dropout rates. In rural Louisiana, special educators must cope with teaching a population that is poor, ethnically diverse, and somewhat isolated from mainstream America. An assessment instrument designed to identify training needs of…

Four related research studies examined the transition of Maine special education students from high school to community and work. (1) A statewide survey of Maine special education teachers and administrators and vocational counselors found that significant gaps existed in transitional services provided to handicapped secondary school students, in…

Using data produced by a 1987 national survey of approximately 2,400 rural school board presidents, district superintendents, principals, and teachers, this report focuses on special concerns and strengths revealed by 351 respondents from rural, small schools in 7 Northeastern states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York,…

During the summer of 1983, a team from Mankato State University, Minnesota, surveyed 65 community residents, 85 school staff and board members, and 337 grade 6-12 students to measure attitudes toward the effectiveness of the pairing of the Russell and Tyler (Minnesota) school districts which occurred at the beginning of the 1981-82 school year.…

Examines school-community relations in a Botswana settlement of Basarwa, remote rural nomads with a minority language and culture. Surveys of parents and students in grades 5-7 indicate that all held positive educational attitudes and believed schooling would help children to find future employment, but that schools were authoritarian and operated…

In interviews with 86 rural special education teachers, issues of mobility and opportunity were cited most often as reasons why teachers left their jobs. Although results indicated that both leavers and stayers were dissatisfied with employment conditions, teachers who chose to extend their teaching contracts were more closely tied to the…

Strategies for easing the transition of beginning teachers in isolated rural communities are discussed. Preservice teachers should spend time in a variety of schools and cultivate a positive outlook toward rural teaching. Meet-the-teacher nights and adopt-a-teacher schemes build rapport between teachers and community. Support from principals, the…

A beginning teacher appointed to a remote Aboriginal school in the Northern Territory (Australia) describes experiences that led him to question his worth as a teacher, including social and professional isolation, his idealistic expectations of becoming a teacher, and difficulties in teaching students of various ages and academic levels. (LP)

A total of 155 educators in rural Kentucky participated in 4 inservice education sessions on learning disabilities and adaptive teaching, delivered via an interactive telecommunications network. Participants' reactions indicated that interactive television was an acceptable format for delivery of inservice education. (Author/JDD)