This report studies the educational needs of rural people in terms of the economic and social changes taking place in America. A historical review traces the educational patterns as they have evolved and studies the effects of these patterns on the rural population. The author considers migration and its effects as well as the effects of technology. It is concluded that general education plus vocational and occupational education in rural areas should be comparable in quality to educational programs in urban areas. This, in the author's opinion, is the goal for the education of rural people. A series of maps is included to illustrate demographic and employment factors considered in the report. (DB)