Effective library instruction and library services in rural or small schools often depend upon the personalities of and working relationships between library personnel and the school principal. Confrontations between rural- and small-school principals and library specialists generally fall into two categories of precipitating situation: censorship…

Researchers and educators have examined the educational consequences of large and small schools. The major concerns documented in the literature on school size reflect four primary areas--curriculum, climate, achievement, and restructuring. This volume incorporates recent research on the effects of school size. Chapter 1 contains four research…

A survey examined the use of coping mechanisms by rural Saskatchewan principals and principals' perceptions of the effectiveness of coping mechanisms used. A modified form of the Ways of Coping questionnaire was mailed to 110 rural principals throughout Saskatchewan (Canada); 48 usable responses were returned. The questionnaire focused on eight…

This paper uses data from a survey of K-12 unit schools to fashion a measure of small school sustainability and relate it to variables pertinent to the rural context. Drawing on definitions of sustainable development and sustainable agriculture, this study proposes sustainability as a concept appropriate to schooling in general, and to small rural…

Developing more effective conceptions of the high school may require radically reducing its size. In today's big high schools, size ensures that control of students is a primary concern and prevents the development of a collegial atmosphere among teachers. Although research provides ample evidence of the superior social climates of small informal…

This report summarizes a two-phase research project on the strategies used by headteachers in small Scottish primary schools to manage mandated educational changes. The research focused on four initiatives of the past decade: 5-14 Curriculum Guidelines, School Development Planning, Staff Development and Appraisal, and Devolved School Management.…

This study investigated the nature and extent of physical education programs for individuals with disabilities in Washington State's small rural public school districts. Questionnaires were sent to 185 superintendents of small rural school districts in the state. Of the 128 responses, 70.3% enrolled individuals with disabilities. Fifty-eight…

The principal of a small rural high school in Vermont documented the amount of time spent at work over 60 days in 5 categories, including conflict and special education. A literature review revealed that researchers have paid little attention to the principal's role in special education and conflict problems. The study sought to determine how much…

As part of a 3-year school improvement project, the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory conducted statewide issues forums in five states to examine the conditions and needs of rural and small schools. Pre-forum teleconferences were held with advisors in each state to generate prioritized lists of rural educational issues. Advisors gave…

The study is an in-process report and constitutes a step in a series of studies oriented toward developing a comprehensive understanding of the work and work arrangements of public school administrators in settings which are particularly suited for such studies. The settings chosen for the present study were three school districts with student…

Prepared as a guide for developing new policies and revising existing ones, this report recognizes the need for assisting superintendents and school boards in small school districts in the improvement of board policies. Effective policies and regulations are precise and clear, consistent in style and format, readable, and regularly updated. Board…

This packet contains 24 articles reprinted from books and journals dealing with effective staff development in small and rural schools. The articles are arranged in four sections. The first section reviews current research on staff development, discussing workable ideas, decision making principles, and general characteristics of effective staff…

In 1982-83, the State of Washington's 299 public school districts (K-12) educated more than 738,000 students; over 70% of these school districts enrolled fewer than 2,000 students and 40% enrolled fewer than 500 students. The small school (fewer than 500 students) graduation rate of 92.6% was 10.6% higher than the statewide average of 82%. Nine…

The mission of this study is to identify reasonable standards for the space requirements of a small high school of under 100 students--perhaps even as small as ten--remote both in distance and social structure from the mainstream of the normal American educational system and to identify, at least conceptually, how such space can be used.…

A 24-item questionnaire was mailed to 559 randomly selected secondary principals in Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, and Oklahoma to determine the career status of secondary principals working in buildings with student populations of 400 or fewer. The greatest single factor influencing the decision to become a principal was need for increased…