Of 238 small K-12 rural public school districts (enrollments under 900) identified in the Arkansas study, 40 were chosen for use in gathering information to assist educators in understanding and improving education of rural residents. An 80% response rate to the 123-item questionnaire mailed to superintendents provided information on district characteristics, i.e., enrollment size, district size, special funding aid, occupation of residents, bond issues, and transportation (number of students bused, distance bused, and cost). Information gathered on district leaders (superintendents and principals) included ages, job classifications, educational levels, salaries, previous employment, hours worked per week, and major on-going concerns. District staff is discussed in terms of number of full-time teachers, number of specialists, salaries, secondary subject preparation, and recruitment. Graduating seniors (988) were addressed via superintendents' comparisons of their academic achievement with national averages (25% ranked their students above national average), number of graduates per district, number of National Merit Exam Finalists (7), and ACT or SAT scores. Finances were cited as the most serious on-going concern, followed by securing qualified teachers and improving curriculum. A summary of findings and a table showing 183 comparisons of Arkansas students to those of a national study conclude the report. (AH)