ACRES - American Council on Rural Special Education

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A National Study Regarding At-Risk Students: Recommendations for Services

This national study compares the incidence of various at-risk conditions in rural, urban, and suburban areas. Data suggests that the social and economic strains facing rural residents are at least as difficult as those facing inner-city residents. Rural cultural factors influencing at-risk children are: federal and state governments, educators of all types, other policymakers, teacher educators, parents, and related services personnel. It also describes essential components of programs for at-risk students, and related preservice and inservice training.

Response to PL 99-467. Titles I and II: Issues Concerning Families Residing in Rural and Remote Areas of the United States

This position paper was written by the ACRES Rural Early Childhood Special Education Task Force. It addresses implications of PL 99-457 for rural early childhood special education.

ACRES Cross-Cultural Bibliography for Rural Special Educators

This valuable resource contains over 300 references from respected research periodicals, as well as books and unpublished papers from special education conferences. Chapters include: Nondiscriminatory Evaluation; Hispanic, Black American, and Native American Children; Bilingual Exceptional Children; and Migrant Exceptional Students.

A Resource Guide to Effective HIV Education in America's Rural Schools

The contents of the guide include descriptions of curricula, manuscripts, videos, articles, and other materials available to rural educators, including those housed in the NRSSC Resource Center. Each curriculum entry contains information about objectives, activities, unique features, age appropriateness, imitations, and ordering information, where applicable.

Survey of HIV Education Programs in Rural Teacher Training Institutions

This document reports the results of a survey on the status of HIV education in universities preparing rural teachers. These areas of teacher preparation are discussed: goals addressed, program links, content items, relationship to alcohol, substance abuse, and suicide prevention programs among rural teacher training institutions offering HIV education programs.

Needs of Rural Schools Regarding HIV Education

A comprehensive literature review revealed that rural schools, although they tend to resist sex education, are experiencing growing numbers of IV drug users, pregnant teenagers, and reports of sexually transmitted diseases. Through sexual activity and IV drug use, rural teenagers are placing themselves at risk for HIV/AIDS. The relationship between teen sexual behavior and the level of self-esteem has been well established, as have problems with traditional approaches to sex education. This article outlines factors in effective sex education programs and explains that sex education in isolation is not a deterrent. Problems specific to rural areas are emphasized in the article as is the necessity for rural-oriented approaches.

HIV/AIDS Education in Rural Schools in the U.S.: Enough of the Right Stuff?

This document reports the results of a national survey concerning the response of rural schools to the AIDS epidemic. The monograph also discusses components of successful sex education programs and requirements for effective implementation of HIV education in rural schools.

What Works? HIV/AIDS Education in Rural America

This publication includes descriptions of 32 school districts implementing HIV/AIDS education programs in rural areas. The manual also includes strategies for using HIV/AIDS education resource materials in rural schools.

Preventing Teenage Pregnancies in Rural America

Two-thirds of all U.S. schools are rural, and three-fourths are small. Statistically, more teenage parents are from rural school systems. Yet the problem of teenage pregnancy is most frequently overlooked by rural and small school communities. In fact, some cultural factors and resource deficiencies of these communities actually facilitate early pregnancy. The emotional, educational, and medical effects of teen parenting are particularly serious for our society as a whole. The problems involved with teen parenting must be recognized and comprehensively and holistically addressed by our society. Solving these problems in sparsely populated rural communities that typically have conservative attitudes toward sex education is an exciting challenge. This article describes problems and community-based solutions specific to rural areas.

Rural Family-Community Partnerships--Resources, Strategies, and Models

This article describes factors distinguishing rural families with special needs children and their communities from those in nonrural settings. Rural lifestyles, values, and other social and cultural factors are described. Resources needed for appropriate services, considerations for special delivery, and model development strategies are discussed. Sample strategies are outlined for serving children, increasing public awareness, and formulating rural family professional partnerships.

Rural Education/Rural Special Education Literature Review (Bibliography and Abstracts)

This collection of rural-related literature was developed by the Rural Special Education Preservice Project of the University of Kansas, Department of Special Education. This compendium of abstracts was developed to provide practitioners with a resource to better understand, define, and describe rural education and rural special education. It includes position papers, statistical studies, descriptions of successful model programs, and case studies. Articles range from those dealing with teachers' salaries to parent and paraprofessional relationships, and use of advanced technologies.

Sample Strategies Used to Serve Rural Students in the Least Restrictive Environment

This document details strategies for modifying rural service delivery models to serve students with low-incidence disabilities in the least restrictive environment. Topics include strategies for transportation, funding, staffing, parent involvement, staff development, vocational programming, community placement, and use of advanced technologies.

Models for Serving Rural Students in the Least Restrictive Environment

Traditional models designed to provide a continuum of services to students with disabilities are inadequate for rural schools attempting to serve such students in the LRE. Because of the tremendous diversity in rural school systems, there is no "one" rural service delivery model. There are, however, a number of community and district characteristics that a model designer must consider. This publication offers information which the planner may then use to appropriately control variables such as usage of personnel, transportation systems, and community involvement to design an individualized model viable for the student, district, and community.

Effective Service Delivery Strategies Appropriate for Specific Rural Subcultures--Sample Profile Book

This publication is filled with examples of service delivery strategies found to be effective in rural school districts. Topics range from transportation and staff development to parent involvement.

Working With Communication Disorders in Rural Settings

This preservice/inservice module answers the need for curricular material specifically related to communication disorders in rural areas. The information is comprehensive and designed to help speech pathologists, special educators, and classroom teachers in rural settings deal with the problems of students having communication disorders. This module includes transparencies and an audio cassette.

Models for Serving Rural Children with Low-incidence Handicapping Conditions

Traditional models designed to provide a continuum of service to students with disabilities are inadequate for rural schools attempting to serve such students. Because of the tremendous diversity in rural schools and communities, there is no "one" rural service delivery model. This publication delineates factors that must be considered and variables that must be controlled by the rural service delivery model planner. Samples of successful statewide and local district models are described.

Rural Transition Strategies That Work

This manual was designed to assist rural educators and direct service providers in establishing rural transition programs. Contents include: descriptions of over 50 exemplary rural transition programs; strategies and practices tested in rural areas; how to involve parents and families in transition programs; ideas for establishing prevocational curricula; employer training and community education; finding on-the-job training sites; how to create employment by providing a service; suggestions for developing a business; rural transportation alternatives; career planning and exploration; community members as trainers; maximizing limited job sites; AND MUCH MORE!!!

Generic Problems/Solutions in Rural Special Education

While most rural special education leaders will agree on the universality of certain problems in rural areas, there is no agreement regarding generalization solutions which will work in all rural areas. Leadership skills, school and community infrastructure, and resources are discussed as dimensions for consideration in the development of solutions.

ACRES Rural Inservice Module Consultation--A Resource for Educators

This monograph, developed by Washington ESD 101, focuses on inservice training regarding consultation. After defining and explaining the consultation process, the booklet addresses the following areas:

Should a Special Educator Entertain Volunteers? Interdependence in Rural America

Rural communities have a tradition of helping each other and of shared interdependence. This publication outlines strategies for designing a volunteer program, recruiting and training volunteers, and linking volunteers with people who have disabilities.

The State of the Art of Rural Special Education

This publication provides an overview of improvements in rural service delivery since the implementation of PL 94-142, remaining challenges, and the current functioning of rural special education. Differences between rural and urban service delivery systems are also explained. The document offers policy recommendations for national and state policymakers.

The Employment Incentives Manual: How to Motivate Businesses to Hire Persons with Disabilities

This publication assists rural educators and direct service providers with potential employers. Contents include legislation, incentives and training, accommodation, and helpful employer information such as monetary incentive programs, tax credits, and guides for co-workers.

Serving the Needs of Grandparents and Siblings of the Handicapped In Rural America

This module provides information on special needs of siblings and grandparents of individuals with disabilities, and the coping skills necessary to meet these needs. The text contains specific guidelines for developing and implementing support systems for siblings and grandparents in rural communities. This module includes transparencies.

The School Psychologist in the Rural Education Context

This document discusses the unique challenges of the rural school psychologist. Emerging rural service delivery models are discussed as are variables to be used in designing an appropriate service delivery model. Recommendations are offered for preservice training.

A Band Wagon Without Music: Preparing Rural Special Educators

This publication discusses important considerations for teacher educators preparing special educators for rural areas. Competencies and curriculum elements which should be included in preservice programs are discussed.

Personnel Recruitment and Retention in Rural America

This publication delineates effective strategies for recruiting and retaining qualified personnel to work in rural settings.

Individualizing Staff Development in Rural School Districts to Enhance Services for All Students, Including the Handicapped

This publication describes needs and effective processes of conducting staff development in rural areas.

Prevention of Mental Retardation in Rural America

Mental retardation tends to be more prevalent in impoverished rural areas lacking adequate services. This document describes six approaches which are essential in preventing mental retardation in rural areas.

Increasing Preservice Curriculum Accountability to Rural Handicapped Populations

This publication details critical shortages of personnel to work with rural individuals with disabilities, specific social education training needs, and suggested approaches to development of rural-focused preservice curriculum. Competencies for a core curriculum for rural special educators are described and are accompanied by examples of core curriculum elements for each competency.

Child Sexual Abuse in America--A Call for School & Community Action. A Report of a National Study

This document reports the results of a national study designed to determine trends in child sexual abuse prevention and treatment services, offered by school districts across America. The study included interviews with 211 school personnel which indicated strengths and major inadequacies in current school practices. Study findings included an analysis of state regulations that indicated that America's children are not adequately protected by state or federal laws. Teacher and community education needs were determined. Recommendations for school and community action were made.

Rural Education Preservice Curriculum Modules

Eight rural education preservice modules received a national award under the "Showcase for Excellence Awards Program" of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). Each module may be used in isolation or be infused into existing course content. All modules include objectives, activities, evaluation facts, and tools, and other necessary training components (e.g., transparency masters). These modules are now available and are listed below:

Problems and Strategies Regarding Regional Service Delivery: Educational Collaboratives in Rural America

This monograph describes problems inherent in regional service delivery systems such as special education cooperatives and intermediate education agencies. Effective strategies in designing and implementing regional services are described.

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ACRES National Headquarters
Attn: ACRES Publications
Kansas State University
2323 Anderson Ave Suite 226
Manhattan KS 66502

(785) 53-ACRES
(785) 532-7732 (fax)
inquiries at acres-sped.org

© 2006, American Council on Rural Special Education