THE AUTHOR DISCUSSES THE PRESENT STATUS OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND NEEDS OF RURAL YOUTH. EVIDENCE INDICATES THAT MOST RURAL YOUTH DO NOT PLAN TO ATTEND COLLEGE, AND THAT THESE NONCOLLEGE BOUND STUDENTS DO NOT SCORE AS WELL ON APTITUDE AND ACHIEVEMENT TESTS AS THOSE PLANNING ON COLLEGE. APPROXIMATELY 80 PERCENT OF THESE STUDENTS DO NOT FEEL THEY WOULD BE PREPARED FOR EMPLOYMENT UPON LEAVING HIGH SCHOOL. THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES THAT SUBSTANTIAL DEVELOPMENT OF EXTENSION EDUCATION PROGRAMS COULD PROVIDE THE NECESSARY POST-HIGH SCHOOL TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR SKILLED AND TECHNICAL EMPLOYMENT. THE ARTICLE IS A REPRINT FROM THE "JOURNAL OF COOPERATIVE EXTENSION," SPRING 1965. (JM)