This handbook contains specific suggestions and activities designed to assist small, rural school districts in identifying local resources for determining their readiness and capacity for curriculum renewal. State education agencies are becoming more active in curriculum issues, with new standards guiding local resources, practices, and learning outcomes. Much of the focus is moving from traditional process standards to the articulation of common curriculum goals, school performance reporting, and self-study. Careful analysis of available information can identify activities which are necessary to meet new mandates. Local curricular needs and priorities sometimes emerge from professional, regional, or national trends, which can be recast to reflect the local situation. Whatever the rationale for change, it is always necessary to review available resources in research and literature to identify current information. It is most important that district administrations support and foster renewal efforts. Policies that support school change are indicators of an environment that fosters improvement. Curriculum renewal should be a continuous process that includes research into existing literature. Curricular needs and questions often emerge from local improvement efforts, which can be transformed into broader goals. Long-term planning is especially important and should include creating an initial climate for change. The document contains worksheets to help districts identify local needs and resources. (TES)