In addition to her "never give up on any student" philosophy, Lois Rodgers has created an integrated, thematic curricular design that uses the brain's methods of transferring knowledge to long-term retention. She collaborates with community members, teachers, and students to improve teaching and learning. Her school is recognized throughout…

A rural Canadian secondary school developed a cross-age peer-assisted summer program to improve academic achievement and career awareness. Although there was no significant improvement in math grades for female participants, 91 percent of students claimed the program helped them in their present courses. Other outcomes included improved academic…

A study examined the effectiveness of the college preparatory curriculum in preparing rural students for college. Surveys of all 1995 graduates of four rural Pennsylvania high schools found that 73 percent of students in the college preparatory program were not greatly successful. Few students had graduated with academically competitive…

Surveys completed by 147 rural Missouri secondary science teachers indicated that only 70 percent were certified in their teaching area, lectures were the dominant teaching strategy, student interest in science was low, the use of inquiry in teaching was low, laboratory facilities and funding for supplies were inadequate, and teaching materials…

Surveys of 374 urban and 130 rural students at two western U.S. high schools examined student perceptions of classroom climate. Male students reported fewer positive connections with their teachers than did females, non-White students reported more positive reactions to classroom climate than did Whites, and urban students reported more positive…

A study examining school violence surveyed 819 students in grades 8, 10, and 11 in a rural secondary school in 1997 and 1999. Student feelings toward school safety were not significantly different in the 2 years. However, there was a significant decline in feeling safe at home, which may be a catalyst for future school problems. (Contains 24…

The requirement imposed upon Utah parents in 1986 authorizing student fees in secondary schools for those who do not qualify for free lunch denies many students an equal education. Using school fees to supplement public funding of education has a greater negative impact on rural families. Advocates adequate state funding of schools. Contains 15…

The Health Science and Technology Academy (HSTA), a partnership between West Virginia University and primarily rural communities in West Virginia, provides after-school science clubs for financially disadvantaged and minority students and encourages their interests in science, technology, and health science careers. Science teachers participating…

Thirty-three employers in rural Arizona were interviewed concerning employer expectations, workplace opportunities, authority patterns, rewards, and social interaction at work regarding entry level workers directly out of high school. Available work was low skill with few rewards, yet demanded strong social skills and work ethic. Discusses…

A study of stress in 120 rural teachers in Whatcom County, Washington, revealed that time management issues were listed most frequently as the highest stress factor, followed by lack of administrative support, poor student motivation, and discipline. Salary levels and violence toward teachers were insignificant. Includes teachers' predictions of…

Study of how busing time to school affected daily activities in 64 rural households in Eastern Townships School Board, Quebec (Canada), found that household schedules altered according to distance from school, constraints on students' and families' activities increased as travel time increased, travel time was viewed as wasted time, and farm…

Describes survey of student use of microcomputers in 319 small and 350 large public high schools throughout the United States. Finds 99% of schools owned microcomputers chiefly for instructional purposes. Discusses problems of large student/computer ratios, high costs of microcomputers and software, and teacher reluctance to use new technology.…

Describes discipline program initiated by the principal of a "tough" midwestern rural junior-senior high school. Includes ethnographic methodology; community characteristics; principal's background, self-concept, and leadership qualities; aspects of the program; and faculty, parent, and student perceptions of the principal and his program's…

A small rural high school initiated an 8-period day to offer students the increased number of credits required for graduation. Elective offerings, elective enrollments, and participation in extracurricular activities increased. Teachers and students liked shorter classes, grades improved, dropout rates declined, and teacher-pupil ratios dropped in…

Discusses supervised correspondence education for both teachers and students to complement conventional classrooms and expand secondary curriculum for rural schools. Recommends needs assessment; checking availability of needed materials; sharing material among schools; course scheduling to assure students of regualar supervision and assistance;…