ABSTRACT

Montanans appreciate communication, and it is not hard to see why. Vast distances and low population density make it difficult to establish social or business communication, or to create economies of scale to lower costs (Parker and Hudson 1992; Hudson 1984). Little wonder that places like Montana have long been a favorite proving ground for distance education. With only twelve towns with a population of over 10,000 in the 1980 and 1990 US Census, most civic life in Montana was organized in terms of much smaller towns. Few of Montana’s many one-and two-room schools were located in towns listed in the 1980 US Census data, which detail only towns with a population of 2,500 or greater. Montana has only one Congressman.