Describes results of a survey of 30 superintendents who were asked to identify the most critical issues in managing and running small rural school districts. Reports finances were the greatest worry, followed by regional economic conditions, state regulations, salaries, and providing an adequate variety of classes. (Author/DHP)

This training manual was designed to clarify issues and provide information to help individuals and groups facilitate the development of human service delivery in response to the changes occurring in rural communities. The presentation of the material was designed to be flexible in length of presentation, subject matter, and level of detail. The…

Developed by two United States educators after visiting Japan, and designed primarily for secondary students, this instructional materials unit includes lesson plans for approximately seven class-days; although the actual time necessary for implementation is flexible and may be adjusted. All of the activities focus on Japanese and American…

Examines issues regarding current farm finance situation from a public policy perspective: origins and causes of current situation, available policy options for dealing with the problems, and impacts of policy options. (NEC)

Describes transitions that farm families and students face and a strategy for school counselors when a student's problem is understood to be related to the family's transition as a result of the agriculture crisis. Summarizes transitions for adults and views students' school problems as behavioral metaphors for their parents' problems. (NB)

To explore the correlation between unemployment and child abuse rates, a literature review was conducted and the phenomenon was examined in a rural Inland Northwest county (X County) of 9,800 population which derived its main income from lumber and agriculture. Monthly substantiated child abuse cases were tallied from the Department of Health and…

This directory is a compendium of over 600 scholars and educators in a range of disciplines throughout the United States who are actively involved in research or teaching of rural issues. It is intended as a resource for those individuals and for other professionals, providing access to one another and aiding a multi-disciplinary approach to rural…

Reviews economic turmoil experienced by farmers in late 19th and early 20th centuries along with resulting political protest and activism. Considers response from rural social workers at the time. Presents recommendations for rural social work today. Includes micro/macro action-agenda for social work in dealing with farm crisis of 1980s. (NEC)

This learning guide is designed to accompany the 29-minute, color, educational documentary, "Merchant People: Pride, Power, and Belief," a film which depicts how nine rural West Virginia small business proprietors think and feel about their work and life. It contains a description of the film setting, complete transcript of film…

Lists and explains the necessary requirements that should be included in a women in development course. States that students should receive a strong foundation in theories in women's subordination and be able to make connections between theory and practice through reading, discussions, and writing assignments. (GG)

Offers background on rural entrepreneurship and incubation in the United States, with particular focus on rural incubators at community colleges and regional incubation systems. Explains how incubators, which provide shared services and business/management assistance for tenant companies, differ from other entrepreneurial development strategies.…

When delivering educational programs for commercial farmers, public policy educators should include some major points related to upcoming deliberations on the 1995 farm bill. This paper provides background material for public policy educators on the following questions. When do farm program benefits become so low that farmers decide not to…

During an extensive search for college curricula focused on rural poverty, the Rural Sociological Society's Task Force on Persistent Rural Poverty identified only a dozen such courses being taught in the United States today. This guidebook provides professors and instructors with a conveniently organized set of sample syllabi and instructional…

Presents papers from Illinois State Library and Shawnee Library System's "Libraries on the MOVE" conference focusing on how libraries can impact economic/cultural climate of an area. Topics addressed included information services of rural libraries; marketing; rural library development; library law; information access; interagency…

The four conceptual/academic themes for the Second Annual University of Kentucky Conference on Appalachia were: School-Community Relationships; Economic Development through Education; Politics of Democratic Empowerment; and Politics of Literacy. Other session topics included: Successful Dropout Programs in Appalachia; Innovative Programs and…