Rural Education Research & Development Center Report 1992.

Overview & Synopsis

This report describes the activities of the Rural Education Research and Development Centre at James Cook University (Queensland, Australia). The center is responsible for implementing research into rural education, training teachers to work in rural areas, and implementing projects related to rural education. The center is an academic unit administratively supported by the university, but largely funded from community, business, and industry sources. Center activities have included: (1) a conference in 1990 highlighting rural education research that led to the formation of the Rural Education Research Association and the establishment of a network for parents, teachers, community groups, and researchers to focus on research issues and priorities in rural education; (2) development of a rural education database that promotes communication among researchers, teachers, parents, and community organizations; (3) implementation of rural education undergraduate and graduate courses, and development of a Masters and Ph.D. program in rural education; (4) sponsoring research relating to access of rural communities to higher education, statistical comparison of rural and urban completion rates in tertiary education, and needs analysis of federally funded education programs. The report also contains a listing of national and international associations affiliated with the center; future developments concerning teaching, research, and conferences; and information pertaining to management and finances. Appendices include information on program endowment and development. (LP)