This directory of consultants is intended to provide a reference tool to rural educators seeking advice and assistance in adapting existing programs or building new programs to serve the rural adult. Introductory material notes that the process used to locate these professionals included a national survey of rural model programs conducted by the…

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…

This study evaluates interactive television (ITV) demonstration projects placed in Minnesota schools to minimize educational inequities between small, large, urban, and suburban districts. The basic data gathered for the first evaluation included exploratory interviews, document reviews, and case studies. The study found significant implementation…

This short annotated bibliography is intended for use by policymakers in states and communities that are concerned with linking education and economic development in rural areas. It contains references to selected publications and resource materials (including audiovisuals) prepared with federal funds. The bibliography is divided into the…

A solution to staff development and instructional improvement for rural and small school teachers is through self-initiated and/or self-styled improvement programs using the mental rehearsal strategy. Mental rehearsal is the process of using imagery to practice teaching behavior before actually teaching. If rural educators can be trained to…

The paper describes the background and implementation of the University of New Hampshire's program to train masters level early childhood special educators for rural and urban settings. The program features child development theory, methods of assessment and teaching, and collaboration with parents and other professionals. Ecological perspectives…

In Shipston-on-Stour, England, an isolated rural area, an experiment in community education was developed whereby community projects were based outside the school building, organized in partnership with local inhabitants, and adapted according to local requirements. (Author/EA)

Discussed are such variables affecting delivery of services to exceptional children in rural areas as incidence of handicapping conditions, family size, transportation, and communication; and recommended are such educational approaches to the problem as personnel recruitment, parent involvement, mainstreaming, and multi-system cooperation. (IM)

Approaches for improving and increasing educational programs that relate skill learning with efforts to increase employment, productivity, and income in rural areas of developing nations are provided. (Author/DE)

The document reports several policy options that address the issue of educating autistic children in rural and sparsely populated areas. A description of autistic children relates numerous problems, confusions, and disagreements about the nature and course of the handicap including lack of agreement about definition and treatment. The most…

The booklet briefly describes the Northwest Special Education (NWSE) Project in Burke County, North Dakota, a demonstration program validated by the National Diffusion Network, which provides services for students having specific learning disabilities and provides the classroom teacher with a format to increase teaching effectiveness. Information…

The effectiveness of visual aids in nonformal education depends on their relevance to the audience with which they are used, and this booklet provides a discussion of various factors for field workers to consider in designing and using simple visual aids in developing countries. Four specific types of visual aids are discussed in some…

INFORMATION FROM TWO RECENT SURVEYS DESCRIBES RURAL EDUCATION IN THE MID-1950'S AND IDENTIFIES SOME OF THE PROBLEMS OF ELEMENTARY EDUCATION IN THESE AREAS. FINDINGS INCLUDE A DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF BEGINNING TEACHERS, SMALL STAFFS, LOWER SALARIES, LOWER ANNUAL EXPENDITURES PER PUPIL, GREATER DEPENDENCE ON STATE OR FEDERAL FUNDS, AND LOWER…