From the Editor

Rural Educator, The, Spring 2004 by Chance, Patti L

This issue of The Rural Educator brings a new look to the journal and represents an important transition for the principal publication of the National Rural Education Association. I am pleased to be assuming the editorship of The Rural Educator and am honored by this appointment from the NREA Executive Board.

The Rural Educator is a vital publication for rural and small schools. In the last decade, the population of rural America increased by more than ten percent. Almost one-third of schools in the United States are located in rural communities with less than 2,500 people. In 2004, America's public education is a top priority among federal, state, and local lawmakers and policymakers. More importantly, public education is of utmost concern to America's citizens. Many reform efforts today take on a "one-size-fits-all" approach, failing to take into account unique needs and specific community contexts. But America is synonymous with diversity. Her vast geography encompasses urban metropolises, suburban sprawl, small cities and towns, rural farmland, and isolated stretches of desert, forested, and mountainous regions. And just as there is no single portrait of America, there is no individual caricature of rural schools. Rural and small schools exist in diverse settings and serve the manifold needs of varied communities. On the one hand, rural and small schools share many of the same concerns and face similar issues as their suburban and urban counterparts; on the other hand, rural and small schools experience challenges and advantages that are distinctly different. Thus, it seems appropriate that as The Rural Educator takes on a fresh look and refocuses its mission, that this issue present an array of subjects and perspectives that portray the kaleidoscope of topics that concern rural and small schools.

The Rural Educator has completed its move to a new home at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Department of Educational Leadership, but continues its quest to fulfill a vision to present readers quality and useful information for improving education for eight million students who attend rural schools. I look forward to serving the journal's readership in this journey.

Sincerely,

Patti L. Chance