Innovation, imagination, and student creativity are key ingredients in creating quality media materials for the small school. Student-produced media materials, slides without a camera, personalized slide programs and copy work, self-made task cards, self-made overhead transparencies, graphic materials, and utilization of the mass media are some of…

Every school must have the power and responsibility to select and design its own particulars. Unfortunately, the existing system is not designed to support "oddball" entities. Small, self-governing schools of choice could flourish in an exemplary, accountable manner, if we built the system for them and changed our mindsets about the…

Addresses the benefits of multiage grouping of primary students in small, rural schools. Reports on a survey indicating that 20 of 49 school districts in a rural state employed multiage grouping. Stresses the importance of considering child development when implementing multiage grouping, and concludes that multiage grouping may be the future of…

The Effective Schools Project (ESP) is a collaborative staff development program serving public schools surrounding Tarleton State University in rural Texas since 1988. Describes how schools become involved in ESP, school improvement activities, program administration, the role of the university in program implementation, and professional…

The movement to standardization and high-stakes testing has been driven by ideological and political concerns and has adversely affected teaching/learning, democratic discourse, and educational equity. Rural schools are hit harder because of geographic isolation and insufficient staff and resources. Testing used for purposes other than measuring…

A chronological narrative is presented of the author's experience in creating a comprehensive, developmental guidance program within a small, one-counselor elementary school. Concludes most important factor in implementing curriculum component was personal resistances. (TE)

A small school system can plan and install an effective computer system by developing a comprehensive plan; involving the personnel who will use the system; relying on vendors with proven records; and recognizing that training is an ongoing process. (MLF)

A successful teacher induction program developed by Emporia State University and implemented in 20 small rural Kansas school districts uses a seminar format that promotes reflection on teaching practices and collegial interchange. Program structure and participants, seminar purposes and content, and program outcomes are discussed. (SV)

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…

Higher-order thinking skills in science and mathematics were compared for high school students in large and small schools, controlling for SES, number of advanced courses offered, and enrollment rate in those courses. School size, number of advanced courses offered, and rurality had no effect on high-order thinking skills. (KS)

Analyzes the experiences of a student teacher in a small, rural elementary school in northeastern Ohio. Discusses student teaching and stages of professional developmental growth: uncertainty/nervousness, acceptance/confirmation, autonomy, and affirmation. Addresses implications related to supervision and teacher training programs, specifically in…

A professional development model implemented in rural Iowa schools involves participation of school teams in school improvement, technical assistance based on needs assessment, focus on teaching and learning strategies that promote meaningful connections, extended planning time, recognition that change requires long-term support, networking of…

Teachers at a rural elementary school slated for consolidation, worked with teacher education students during a full-day teaching experience that resulted in both classroom teachers and university students expanding their understanding of the teaching culture. The benefits of this experience included easing teacher transition to a new school…

Interviews and observations in over 25 Greek and Turkish schools in rural Cyprus examined educational policy formation, teacher preparation and assignment, class size, teacher salaries and promotion, and student behavior and outcomes. Society's influences on educational conditions and outcomes are discussed with reference to American rural…

Describes 10 award-winning programs at rural and small schools, involving teacher induction and collegiality; improving student writing through word processing; integrating Indian Studies into the curriculum; developing self-esteem through peer teaching; student entrepreneurship; substance abuse prevention; training rural special education…