The role of state departments of education in rural education involves responsibilities, leadership, funding, regional assistance, and preparing for the future. It is the responsibility of the state department to act as a regulatory, governing, and operating agency and to distribute federal funds to areas of need. The state department can provide leadership by developing a coordinated program for rural schools. Funding inequities are a frequent difficulty for rural schools; there must be a plan for avoiding this problem. Regional assistance can be provided by a network of regional service centers. In the future, state departments will need to provide guidance for long-range planning and materials development and they will need to have plans for implementing technological and instructional innovations. (DC)