This article uses the 2005 Basic Classifications of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a framing device through which to examine patterns of student financial aid at America's rural community colleges, which represent 64% of all U.S. community colleges. Rural community colleges serve more first-time, full-time students than…

The primary purpose of our study was to explore the effects of rurality on school adjustment and other school-related variables. Using data from 167,738 7th-12th graders located in a national sample of 185 predominantly white communities, multilevel models were estimated for perceived school performance and school liking using a variety of…

This dissertation synopsis examines the relationship of school size to the achievement of students of varying levels of socioeconomic status in West Virginia and investigates motives for consolidation in this mostly rural state. To control for varying grade-span configurations, size (of school and district) was defined as enrollment per grade…

In an effort to determine how the system-wide total student full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment, as authorized by the legislature, is allocated among the several community colleges, this audit was conducted in 1988. The audit also sought to evaluate how effectively the community college system utilized the system-wide student FTE limit to…

School consolidation or reorganization continues to be a controversial issue in rural areas, with many contentions and claims about the advantages and disadvantages of small schools at the center of the debate. In fall 1986, a Nebraska survey examined attitudes toward school size and reorganization issues among school board presidents. Respondents…

Defining the concept "rural" to the satisfaction of demographers, policymakers, educational researchers, sociologists, journalists, and legislators is an ongoing and complex problem. As a sampling of definitions used by different researchers/agencies illustrates, the two categories of definitions of rural--qualitative and…

This information aid presents the latest available statistics on existing size, reviews the research on size, points out the difficulties in arriving at a universally acceptable and supportable recommendation on size, and suggests some recent developments in education that might help alleviate the size drawbacks for the excessively small or large…

Previous studies found that the small size of schools or school districts mitigated the negative influence of poverty on academic achievement in California, Alaska, and West Virginia. The Matthew Project extends this research in four additional states selected to provide varied settings. Montana has a remarkable number of small schools and small…

Previous studies found that the small size of schools or school districts mitigated the negative influence of poverty on academic achievement in California, Alaska, and West Virginia. The Matthew Project extends this research in four additional states selected to provide varied settings. Ohio is a very diverse, urbanized state with a large…

Economies of scale frequently have been advanced as a rationale for rural school consolidation. This article defines the economies of scale principle; describes its application to public education; and reviews selected studies, 1959-86, from a rural education perspective. Notes the possible overstatement of economics of scale in some studies.…

Reviews the controversial questions of the relationship between school/district size and cost, and size and quality. Discusses the relevance of instruction and scheduling as variables to be used in determining school size. (BJV)

Reviews the articles in this special issue. The following conclusions emerged: (1) smaller districts, schools, and classes seem to be better; (2) the need for smaller class size is inversely proportional to student's socioeconomic status; and (3) instruction must be matched to the instructional needs of the students, rather than the organizational…

Examines research and trends related to equitable financing of rural schools, problems common to rural school districts, and an emerging "technology of individualization" that may negate any relationship between school effectiveness and school size. Commentaries discuss the value of district consolidation without school consolidation, and…

This dissertation was designed to gain insight in the area of central office instructional leadership support from the perception of the high school principal. With increasing standards and high student performance expectations coupled with strict federal and state accountability measures, it is impossible for the high school principal to bear the…

This paper provides 11 steps on how to build a strong journalism program in a small high school. The categories discussed include: what is meant by a strong program; particular problems of small schools; additional problems affecting schools regardless of size; the advisor; the program; the staff; facilities and equipment; work environment;…