Reviews studies of unit costs among schools of differing size in United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, and Sudan. Concludes that studies suggest economies of scale in larger schools, but extent of economies and point where schools encounter diseconomies vary widely. Notes that control for quality is problematic. (DHP)

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)

Presents arguments, based on Thomas Kuhn's work, that most research on rural and small schools proceeds from previous scientific achievements, and that researchers' (outsiders') preconceived and approximated reality forces the nature of rural and small schools into an inflexible box. Contains 40 references. (Author/SV)

Reports responses of 693 teachers to the Survey of Supervisory Practices in four rural, central Pennsylvania school districts. Finds six statistically significant factors that are related to teachers' perceptions of the helpfulness of supervison in the improvement of their classroom instruction. (NEC)

A humorous examination of research on effects of institution size on pupil progress reveals evidentiary and inferential errors, naivete, intellectual puritanism, and rational extravagance. Revised, reinterpreted, and confirmed by two new studies, the literature shows a near-unanimous finding: the smaller unit definitely is superior to the larger…

Describes the National Assessment of Educational Progress Model and outlines and advocates its application in research on rural social studies. Notes its usefulness in assessment situations. Explains how the model will produce data descriptive of a target population and will permit the comparison of local and national results. (SB)

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)

Surveys educational and occupational expectations of students, grades 10 to 12, in four rural Ohio schools. Reports females show significantly higher educational and occupational aspirations than males. Areas of anticipated college study and occupational expectations are sex stereotypic; however, young rural women's occupational aspirations are…

Examines the informal administrative career path leading from the rural school district to "big league" urban and suburban areas. Reviews research emphasizing the importance of the superintendent in effective rural districts. Suggests a subsidized preparation program specifically for rural administrator candidates, involving an intensive…

The article discusses conditions in rural school settings which may create or exacerbate problems of burnout among rural school pyschologists. Specifically, problems concerning role and function, professional support, visibility, and preservice training are related to rural practice. Also, suggestions for coping with stress and burnout in rural…

Reports results of a survey of the teacher training offerings of 56 universities in states with large rural populations. Notes that although many graduates found employment in rural schools, training programs did not always incorporate the needs of rural educators. Describes needs, implications, and suggestions for educating rural teachers. (SB)

Uses survey responses of 473 teachers, principals, and staff development chairs in rural Oklahoma school districts to indicate the level of implementation of 38 research-based staff development practices that define the Readiness, Planning, Training, Implementation, and Maintenance stages of staff development. Lists the 38 practices and tabulates…

Analyzes six-year trend data on enrollment, adjusted assessed valuation, unappropriated fund balance, delinquent taxes receivable, and adjusted maintenance cost in rural school districts. Shows that districts with fewer than three sections per grade experienced greater adverse effects as a result of community demographic and economic change.…

Discusses the federated school district, a cooperative organizational alternative for low enrollment rural districts facing enrollment decline or fiscal exigency. Describes district characteristics: local elementary schools, small regional high schools, a governing assembly, and a multiple district administrative system. Includes a planning model…

A four-year project compared how teachers, students, and parents perceived the climate of the secondary schools in Greenfield, Massachusetts, through responses to eight value statements about the purposes of school. Data suggested students felt more positive than parents or teachers about the school's ability to prepare them for later life. (NEC)