Overviews the recent history of special education, including common educational practices and the advantages and disadvantages of full inclusion. A survey of 336 educators in one urban and two rural New Mexico communities found agreement with only 2 of 27 statements regarding potential benefits of inclusion, but with all 26 statements representing…

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…

Examines the challenges of providing educational leadership in rapidly changing rural school settings. Describes a leadership development model that stresses learning in action, examines the role and responsibilities of school boards related to educational leadership, and suggests that the Individual Education Plan process can be a model for…

Discusses the impact of socioeconomic and demographic changes on rural schools and their need for new inclusive strategies. Identifies five principles for planning inclusive strategies: collaboration; family-centered and community-based schooling; programs and learning environments that match student needs; meeting public standards; and…

Describes unique aspects of rural provision of school psychological services. Discusses strategies within a collaborative consultation model in which the goals (primary, secondary, or tertiary prevention), levels of service (community/school, students, parents, or school personnel), and best approach (direct or indirect) of service delivery are…