The aim of the Rural Improvement Project of Maine from Spring, 1969-Fall, 1970 was to improve the quality of rural education through an innovative attempt to utilize specialized, trained personnel (Cooperating Rural Resource Teachers; associate teachers; teacher aides; 3 undergraduate teachers; and an elementary guidance counselor) and to restructure the learning sequence to help children reach their full potential. Individuals directly involved were trained to administer and interpret the Gesell Developmental Examination, which places a child in school by behavioral rather than physical or I.Q. age. The professional instructor was trained in: child psychology; curriculum development and curriculum trends; philosophy and techniques of organizing, conducting, and evaluating and ungraded multi-age unit; and working with teachers and teacher aides. The second phase of training was for the associate teacher and teacher aides. This 19 week undertaking consisted of 6 major thrusts, such as determining specific teaching duties and implementing developmental grouping. The project provided 5 objectives such as (1) a new pattern for staffing rural elementary schools and (2) a new design for teacher education. The final evaluation report outlined the general progress of the project and noteworthy achievements. (FF)