The document describes a model program for preschool handicapped children in rural areas utilizing a cooperative approach. Section I provides background information and information on program locale, goals and objectives, and program variables (personnel variables, instructional variables, facilities, program costs, and evidence of effectiveness).…

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…

Development of the Oregon Small Schools Program is traced against the background of other small-school projects, such as the Western States Small Schools Project and the Texas Small Schools Project. Information is given on the various procedures involved in the organization's development and on problems (e.g., high turnover of teachers and high…

Describes a report on New Mexico's public school services for three- and four-year-old handicapped children, focusing on features of special interest to rural educators. Topics are curriculum selection, program models, and program delivery system alternatives. (JHZ)

Describes the principles of program evaluation and the technical assistance provided in 1986-87 to North Dakota local educational agencies for evaluating their special education programs. Emphasizes local control of the evaluation activities and includes an example of planning for a local evaluation study on least restrictive environment. (JHZ)

This report summarizes a postconference evaluation of the "Linking Family and Community Strengths" conference, held in Louisville, Kentucky, in June 1996, and describes 12 community projects based on conference lessons. Six months after the conference, an evaluation was completed by 100 of 192 participants. The conference aimed to…

In many ways the 1977-78 third year of operation of the Rural Community Resource Centre (Brandon, Manitoba) closely reflected the stresses and dynamics of the society in which it exists. Fiscal uncertainty resulted in critical analysis of the objectives and operations of the Centre and increased accountability for government granted funds. The…

Described is a cooperative preschool program for 20 handicapped children on a rural Michigan setting. It is explained that the program involved screening procedures in a naturalistic environment, weekly parent training sessions, and diagnostic prescriptive teaching. Included in three appendixes are examples of news releases about the program,…

A screening and referral procedure for rural, at-risk infants was developed by a three-step process that: (1) identified key professionals; (2) educated rural medical personnel regarding benefits and strategies of early intervention; and (3) implemented a screening and referral system with low temporal and monetary costs for hospital personnel.…

Describes 3 of 17 innovative educational programs funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the Southern Governors' Association. Projects were designed to meet at least one of the four National Education Goals important to ARC: school readiness; adult literacy and lifelong learning; math-science education; and dropout prevention. (LP)

One way to develop creative solutions to problems facing rural education today is through cooperative projects sponsored by schools and colleges and funded by small incentive grants. In 1983, the Council of Chief State School Officers, with grants from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, awarded 39 planning grants for $2,000 to enhance/facilitate…

Presents findings from a two-year evaluation of a family literacy program in rural Appalachian Ohio. Demonstrates positive results for both impact/outcome and process objectives. Highlights an extensive network of interpersonal and interagency relationships that maximized resources and supported families as they changed. Suggests the importance of…

The report details some aspects of the American Friends Service Committee's (AFSC) and the Mali government's cooperative rehabilitation project for nomad families along the shores of Lake Faguibine. Covering the years 1975-81, the report contains five sections. The introduction provides background information on nomads and the Sahel; drought,…

Describes the Wyoming Infant Stimulation Program (WISP) and its numerous collaborative activities with federal, state, and local agencies including the Agricultural Extension Service and maternal and child health programs. Notes that successful collaboration was informal and involved cooperation on specific, discrete joint projects responding to…

This paper describes a project implemented by a social worker from the Glynn County School District in rural Georgia to address transportation problems experienced by students and their families. The project aims to assist families who are unable to keep appointments or attend other important events due to unreliable transportation. A county needs…