This book is a 1942 compilation of solicited information on rural education trends and guidance programs in the United States. Chapter 1 emphasizes the necessity of good educational guidance for rural children and discusses factors which determine child development, including the rural environment and standards of living. Chapter 2 discusses preschool child development, comparing parenting and guidance problems in urban and rural areas. Rural children's health and education services are described, as are problems relating to educational access. Chapter 3 describes the teacher's guidance role, using anecdotes to describe good teaching and guidance practices. Also discussed is the effective use of children's leisure or play time. Chapter 4 describes ways in which rural educators observe children, make evaluations, and report on their developmental progress. The use and availability of evaluation tools for rural teachers is discussed. Chapter 5 uses anecdotal material to describe some special guidance needs and problems of rural adolescents and youth. Among the topics are problems relating to sex, family problems, and the incidence of school dropouts. Chapter 6 describes several guidance programs dealing with the following issues: the supervisor's role; elementary guidance counseling; curriculum; school-community cooperation; and local resources. Chapter 7 discusses guidance conferences and clinics. Chapter 8 describes various youth-guidance services provided by volunteer agencies. Chapter 9 describes state and federal rural guidance agencies and programs. Chapter 10 concludes with a call for leadership. The document includes a list of 41 references. (TES)