The paper presents preliminary data from a project at the University of Kansas to identify preservice training needs for occupational therapy service delivery to handicapped students in rural education settings. Survey responses of current occupational therapy students at the University of Kansas (N=55) were evaluated as well as responses from pediatric therapists working in rural communities (N=10) and urban communities (N=19) in Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, and Missouri. Results indicated that occupational therapists working in both rural and urban areas reported similar educational backgrounds and years of practice and agreed on the most important preservice content areas and the needs of occupational therapy in educational settings. Rural personnel were more likely to employ alternate patterns of service provision and to serve persons throughout their development into adulthood. Students of occupational therapy tended to lack an understanding of the educational system. All personnel need a better understanding of what educators know and are capable of doing in their classrooms and ways to more efficiently utilize available resources. (DB)