Describes rural/urban differences encountered by practicum students/recent graduates working in early childhood special education. Identifies differences in four areas: prevalence and identification of handicapping and risk conditions, type of educational placement, relevance of community dynamics, and relevance of family attitudes. Suggests…

Summarizes literature regarding the accomplishments and challenges of rural education and rural special education in terms of rural schools and teachers, rural families, and rural communities. Suggests that rural children with disabilities will be well served in the future through additional resources, more professionally trained and qualified…

Suggests that the ethic of care is vital to promoting safe schools and developing responsible, respectful, and tolerant students and citizens. Describes three approaches for developing a caring school culture that include linking students together as a caring moral community, teaching social skills and conflict resolution, and focusing on…