Local governments are essential to the democratic processes of the nation. Particularly in rural and other small communities, they are familiar institutions with much visibility and accessibility, promoting citizen participation and control. This guide presents an overview of the characteristics of American's small local governments. America's…

This Policy Research Brief summarizes longitudinal national statistics on the number and characteristics of persons with mental retardation and related conditions living in state institutions, their movement into and out of those institutions, the costs of state institutions, and the growing numbers of closures of these institutions. Findings are…

The monograph is an attempt to describe conditions existing today in rural America that can affect the operation and impact of vocational education in rural areas and, thus, should exercise an influence on policy making. It identifies statistical patterns and characteristics common to rural areas, both within regions and those that cut across…