Examination of 19 school district consolidations in 10 states, 1980-84, revealed that, of 6 expenditure categories, only administration showed significant savings 3 years after consolidation, when compared to changes in state average costs during that period. Changes in other expenditure categories varied widely among districts. Contains 22…

Commission on Country Life recommendations (1911) for rural education reforms have been misinterpreted as attempts to urbanize rural schools. Reexamination of the Country Life movement might help researchers move from such defensive positions to one that exposes corporate forces profiting from the decline of rural America. Contains 30 references.…

Among 1,247 Ohio seniors, 74 percent of rural and 84 percent of urban students planned postsecondary education. Rural and urban students had similar levels of occupational aspirations but different occupational choices; rural students had lower income expectations. Student, family, and school characteristics differed significantly between the two…

Among 74 rural respondents to an adult education questionnaire, most favored group instruction offered at traditional locations on practical, economically relevant subjects. The most frequently cited barriers to participation were situational, with cost predominant. The greatest resistance to adult education was centered in the neediest…

Australian farmers have traditionally been opposed to sending their sons to agricultural colleges, an attitude that partially changed after Victoria introduced a farm apprenticeship scheme. Structured interviews with apprentices and employers in the scheme and nonparticipating young farm workers and employers clarified their motives and…

A three-round modified Delphi survey of about 200 college administrators, educators, state education personnel, and policymakers in 13 midwestern and northwestern states identified 47 barriers to rural adult education; 22 were institutional. Respondents also identified institutional actions and public policies that would improve educational…

Multiple regression analysis of data from West Virginia school districts revealed that 41 percent of interdistrict differences in higher education enrollment rates was explained by percentage of disadvantaged students, percentage of students in college preparatory curriculum (strongly related to income and rurality), and student/teacher ratio.…

The Federal Interagency Committee on Education outlines six priority topics for research and development on rural schools: school effectiveness, curricular provisions, school-community partnerships, human resources, use of technology, and financial support and governance. Sample research questions are suggested. (SV)

Compares the performance of music teachers with teachers of other subjects on the 10 competencies selected by the Alabama Career Incentive Program. Reports that music teachers' competency scores were below the mean for all teachers on 7 of the 10 competencies, but that music teachers outperformed other teachers in using materials and eliciting…

Focuses on the relationship of music composition with specific learning styles. Emphasizes the development of a research model in which music composition was viewed as involving intuitive and rational musical abilities. Uses two learning-style inventories and a researcher-designed test of musical composition ability. (DB)

Examined results of pretests and posttests given to undergraduates enrolled in a music appreciation course to analyze the changes in their musical attitudes, opinions, and knowledge. Found that students exhibited a significant gain in knowledge about musical works; however, there was no significant difference in their opinions of these same works.…

Investigates aspects of instructional language from three historical perspectives to define elements of teacher language behavior and to develop an instructional language assessment instrument that might be useful in evaluating the language behavior of preservice elementary and music education majors. Compares behaviors of elementary education…

Describes a questionnaire sent to 90 publishing researchers who were members of college music faculties asking why they engaged in research activities and what specific rewards they believe were obtained because of their research. States that the main reasons for research were intellectual curiosity, enjoyment, self-improvement, and perceived…

Reviews the development of the Louisville, Kentucky, public school music program from its establishment in 1844 to its suspension in 1879. Examines rationales for introducing music into the curriculum; debates over teaching methods; and choices of music curricula. Uses primary sources, including minutes and annual reports of the Louisville school…

Examined music educators perceived status of mainstreaming in Iowa and Kansas. Results indicated lack of consensus among music educators concerning effectiveness of mainstreaming. Revealed few differences among the responses from music educators who work with mainstreamed students. Found a need for clear instructional objectives for disabled…