Defines distance learning, summarizes recent developments, and explains four networks in the federally funded Star School Program: TI-IN, the Midland Consortium, the Technical Education Research Center (TERC), and the Satellite Educational Resources Consortium (SERC). Satellite networks are the most cost-effective way to offer advanced classes and…

Describes cooperative budget-stretching ventures of two small school districts in rural Illinois. The Bluffs and Triopia K-12 districts have joint programs in staff development; social work and guidance services; speech therapy; purchasing; and vocational, special, and gifted education. (MLH)

Proposes an alternative conceptual framework that can address students with severe disabilities in rural schools and can include a broad range of learning needs in the general education classroom. (JOW)

Describes the results of a survey of 108 rural South Dakota high school principals. Reports that, although principals envision themselves as instructional leaders, a majority of the day is spent on general managerial duties and discipline, with principals more concerned about task completion than about individuals or school climate. (Author/DHP)

Describes John Deweys' brief career as a secondary school teacher in Pennsylvania and Vermont from 1879 to 1882. Contains a quote that sums up Dewey's feelings about teaching. (SV)

Research on staff development in rural and non-rural settings provides guidelines for effective practice. Research on rural staff development, however, must be increased and become more systematic and focused. (JD)

Changes in the U.S. workforce and workplace demand that vocational and academic education be integrated to provide every student with basic skills, advanced cognitive skills, a core of academic knowledge, and new kinds of vocational readiness. Offers specific suggestions for reforming rural vocational education. (KS)

Economic restructuring, low wages, unemployment, outmigration, and high poverty rates affect rural and small-town schools, which enroll nearly 40 percent of the school-age population. Increasing proportions of rural school enrollments are children at risk and in need of special programs. (SK)

Explores student and teacher views about an advisor-advisee program being conducted in a rural midwestern middle school. Although teachers overwhelmingly supported the advisory concept, they (as well as students) made several suggestions for improving the school's program: eliminating a controversial Positive Action program; removing disruptive…

Children in a rural preschool in China were observed while they participated in group learning activities. Although many aspects of the preschool program did not meet standards used in developed countries, the ability of the teacher to plan and conduct large group activities was admirable, and the children displayed many positive behaviors. (BG)

Four major areas (office traffic, the telephone, organization, and discipline) consume much of a school administrator's time. Because principals of small and rural secondary schools do not always have adequate personnel support, planning a daily calendar, setting priorities, and delegating to other administrators and staff are essential…

At the 1990 NASSP Convention, the Smaller Secondary School Committee sponsored a session to encourage administrators of small and rural schools to share their successful activities for improving community relations. Schools can schedule conferences for times convenient to working parents, sponsor community dances, mail school newspapers to the…

The Federal Interagency Committee on Education outlines six priority topics for research and development on rural schools: school effectiveness, curricular provisions, school-community partnerships, human resources, use of technology, and financial support and governance. Sample research questions are suggested. (SV)

After crisis conditions abated, directors of a U.S. Agency for International Development/University of Nebraska at Omaha joint project resolved to implement strategic planning for literacy education (including curriculum development, teacher education, and assessment) in Afghanistan. This article describes the rigors of educational planning in a…

Questioned practicing school psychologists (n=225) in Wisconsin regarding their experience with number of behavioral referrals for which physically aggressive behavior was principal concern. Increases of at least moderate degree were perceived by school psychologists across grade levels. Respondents observed that student aggression was phenomenon…