Regional and subregional division characteristics of public elementary and secondary education in the United States are reported. Characteristics associated with urbanicity and wealth are also reported. Factors examined are those most commonly used to identify the resources, needs, organization, and special characteristics of education within each…

This collection of conference presentations focuses on the twin themes of restructuring and technology in rural schools. Rural America's increasingly polarized demographics, political leadership voids, teacher training, renewal strategies, and ever-shrinking budgets are discussed, along with ongoing media criticism, which is a reality for all…

This issue of "Network News" focuses on efforts to remedy the dropout problem. The following programs' common goal is not only to retain students through graduation, but to ensure that they acquire the skills necessary to take their place as productive members of society: (1) the Classroom Partners Project, a collaborative effort between…

The goals and purposes of the National Rural Education Association (N.R.E.A) as revised in October 1986 derive from the general goal to improve educational opportunities for children in rural areas with additional attention to those for whom opportunities have been severely limited in the past. Specific goals/objectives concerning national…

Questionnaires were mailed in 1986 to school board presidents in small rural districts across the United States in order to identify the characteristics of successful rural school superintendents and the qualities that rural school boards look for when hiring a superintendent. There were 93 usable responses from 28 states. Analysis of the…

Adults in a multi-ethnic, small, rural school district were surveyed to determine their evaluation and expectations of district schools. Of the 301 respondents, 72% were Jicarilla Apache/other Indian, 14% Spanish/Mexican, and 14% Anglo; most were aged 19-45; 81% had completed high school; 76% were employed. Respondents rated the elementary, high,…

The eighth module of the Rural America staff training series is designed to help individuals gain a better understanding of the placement process. The module begins with a brief introduction to placement in terms of definitions and the current status of placement in the participants' schools, addressing questions of who provides leadership for…

This module attempts to put participants into contact with the limited or stereotyped manner in which most of us view our world. By doing so, it sets the stage for examining ways to bring parents, employers, and school staff to an expanded world view, particularly as that view encourages wider career opportunities for youth. Training in developing…

An overview is provided of "Rural AGE: Accessing Gerontological Education," a 3-year curriculum and faculty development project in Kansas aimed at transferring gerontological expertise and educational capacities from state universities to a consortium of seven rural community colleges. Introductory sections explain the purpose, background, and…

To gather information about local Alaskan schooling, researchers surveyed 327 rural school site administrators to determine their backgrounds, school activities, expectations of student performance, perceptions of school-community relations, and perceptions of the roles of actors in school governance. Results of the questionnaire indicated that…

This case study describes an experienced high school teacher's difficulties in an Alaskan town with severe tensions between Caucasian and Eskimo students and between community members and teachers. This "teaching case" helps preservice teachers understand the complex, ambiguous situations which arise in rural teaching. The limitations of…

Programs must be designed to remove barriers to equitable vocational education. Barriers to such programs are erosion of public and special interest group confidence in the educational system; lack of systematic student services; and lack of mutual awareness, communication, and cooperation between vocational and general educators. To remove…

Materials contained in the 16 volumes that make up the Rural America Series suggest practices through which rural schools can meet local community needs and realize their potential for career program delivery. This handbook, one of five in the subset of program process documents for the series, is intended for use by the coordinator in…

Materials contained in the 16 volumes that make up the Rural America Series suggest practices through which rural schools can meet local community needs and realize their potential for career program delivery. This handbook for rural school counselors, one of five in subset C of the series, provides a basic rationale for career counseling and a…

Materials contained in the 16 volumes that make up the Rural America Series suggest practices through which rural schools can meet local community needs and realize their potential for career program delivery. This procedural handbook, one of three support functions guides in the series, is based on the premise that community cooperation, through…