Begun in June 1984, the national study utilized questionnaires from 461 rural education researchers and practitioners to provide the first empirical data for prioritization of rural education research needs. Since conducting and supporting rural education research are clearly federal functions, the study was prepared for dissemination to federal agencies and elected officials and designed to focus on activating the research agenda and acting on its implications. Respondents rated 46 research questions and prioritized 13 themes. Nine research clusters were thus identified and rank ordered: rural school effectiveness, governance and finance, staff training needs (technology as a resource), teaching styles and incentives, field-based personnel preparation, preservice preparation, personnel recruitment and retention, school-community interaction, and rural versus non-rural factors. Rural practitioners and researchers were in agreement in prioritizing the importance of the clusters. Twelve recommendations/ implications are given that should be addressed by the federal government in support of efforts related to the prioritized clusters. Nineteen tables provide information on: ranking of questions within clusters by "importance to the field" and "personal interest"; respondents' positions, institutions, and general/special education orientation; number of respondents by federal region and general/special education orientation; detailed information about rankings; and regional differences by clusters. The rural education research questionnaire is appended. Numerous tables and the survey instrument are included. (BRR)