Research indicates that living in company towns created a population lacking in initiative and self-determination. In one community that was a company town until the mid-1950s, key-informant interviews indicated high levels of dropping out, illiteracy, teen pregnancy, poverty, and dependency. However, a survey of high school students revealed no…

To shape reform in rural education, it is necessary to understand the problems, as well as the strengths of rural social and educational communities. An analysis of demographic, economic, and educational trends shows that in rural areas in general, working populations are shrinking, economies are declining, and students are not competing well in…