Center for Civic Partnerships

Rural Education

Online Tools and Resources

Appalchia Educational Laboratory
http://www.ael.org/index.htm
Regional education research, development, services and information with rural focus.

Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) Clearinghouse on Rural Education and Small Schools
http://www.ael.org/eric/rural.htm
Extensive directories of publications, digest articles and other resources on rural education. Provides information that addresses migrant, American Indian, Alaskan Native and Mexican American education in rural settings.

Pulling Together: Research and Development Resources for Rural Schools
http://www.ncrel.org/rural/
Large collection of research and development resources to assist rural educators in providing high quality education for all children.

Northwest Regional Education Laboratory (NWREL)
http://www.nwrel.org/ruraled/
NWREL's Rural Education Program provides information in multiple areas of research and development.

National Education Association
http://www.nrea.net
National organization provides services to enhance educational opportunities for rural schools and their communities.

Organization Concerned About Rural Education
http://www.ruralschools.org/
Coalition dedicated to improvement in public education and economic development in rural areas. Provides information on what you can do and what is currently being done to improve public schools in rural America.

Rural Information Center
http://www.nal.usda.gov/ric/
Provides links to rural education resources and publications.

Rural School and Community Trust
http://www.ruraledu.org/
Information and resources for rural schools and community partnerships.

Suggested Reading

Horsley, Donald L., Terry III, Wyllys, Hergert, Leslie F., and Loucks-Horsley, Susan, 1991. Managing Change in Rural Schools: An Action Guide. This guide connects two lines of educational research and practice: what is known about educational change in general, and the unique qualities of rural and small schools. Order online: http://www.wested.org/cs/wew/view/rs/128.

National Education Association, 1998. Status of Public Education in Rural Areas and Small Towns - A Comparative Analysis. This report examines the current status of public education in rural areas and small towns. Available online: http://www.nea.org/rural/companal-rural.html.

National Education Association, 2002. Rural Education. Issue paper on rural education and recommendations for Congress to place an increased emphasis on the needs of rural schools. Available online: http://www.nea.org/schools/rural/lacpapers-rural.html.

Southwest Educational Development Laboratory, 2000. Benefits 2. Series of six issue papers that focus on ways that rural schools and communities can work together so that both will thrive. Available online: http://www.sedl.org/prep/benefits2/.

Talk, Ed, 1994. Rural Schools: On the Road to Reform. This report, from the Council for Educational Development and Regional Educational Laboratories, describes the rural initiatives developed by the nation's ten regional educational laboraties. Order online: http://www.wested.org/cs/wew/view/rs/127.