The rural work ethic, a strong sense of community togetherness, and the absence of class distinction help rural schools avoid the politics that often stand in the way of education in larger urban and suburban schools. Factors contributing to successful schools include clear goals, good principals who know how to motivate faculty, faculty who know how to motivate students, a safe and orderly environment, and community involvement. Success can be measured by high scores on standardized tests; a high proportion of students who go on to postsecondary education; high attendance rates; low dropout rates; and a high percentage of students involved in extra-curricular activities, student awards, and school awards. Strengths of rural schools include small classes, individual attention, more leadership opportunities, many occasions to develop individual talents, and strong community support. Rural disadvantages include faculty teaching beyond their major fields, lack of equipment, lack of cultural assets, shortage of funds, distance from colleges and universities, bias against rural areas in the larger society, failure to understand the differences between rural and urban schools, and the lack of a rural education network. Rural education compares favorably with a larger, highly centralized school system in which teachers and administrators were highly unionized, and where school boards were appointed and had no funding authority. Educational success depends upon local input, acceptance, and support, according to the paper. (SKW)