Disadvantaged rural youth may be especially at risk for obesity and poorer health due to physical inactivity. Research suggests that extracurricular school programs can increase physical activity for this population. This study sought to determine whether local differences existed in the availability of supportive environments for extracurricular…

Describes a school-based primary drug prevention program for 11- to 13-year-old youths. Suggestions for designing developmental skills-oriented programs in rural communities are offered. (Author)

Student responses concerning personal and peer use of marijuana were collected from 181 middle school students in rural Northern Michigan. Results suggest that personal marijuana use is highly correlated with peer consumption. Use of marijuana increases significantly with age and is higher than national averages in certain age groups. (Author/ABB)

Focus groups conducted with urban and rural middle school students showed that they had typical stereotypes about agriculture and farmers and found farm careers unattractive. Results suggested that agriculture be tied to youth interests and addressed before middle school. The project also elicited information about using focus groups with youth.…

Discusses the importance of recognizing and understanding the consequences of stress, distress, and burnout among rural middle school students. Provides guidelines for diminishing the effects of distress and burnout among students and for conducting teacher inservice programs on distress and ways to manage personal and professional stress. (LP)

Shows tests of social learning theory in a rural middle school setting in 1975 and 1979 determined that variables (i.e., social reinforcement, social/nonsocial reinforcements, differential associations, and supportive definitions) accounted for 34 percent variance level of marijuana use in 1975 and 52 percent variance in 1979. Suggests marijuana…

Students Actively Valuing Education (SAVE) is a middle school peer facilitator program. Based on the philosophy that students share and identify needs and problems better with peers. Developed to give disadvantaged students leadership opportunities as peer facilitators. Active for three years, Project SAVE is described as a success. Outlines…

This study reports the self-reported out-of-school physical activity of 229 male and 593 female adolescents in three rural middle schools. Over one-third reported participation in vigorous physical activity less than twice a week, and almost half of females reported levels of activity below nationally recommended guidelines. (SLD)

Investigated the attitudes and concerns of middle school students in four rural school districts to determine if their worries were the same as those of urban youth. Found similarities between the two groups, suggesting that rural areas are not as isolated from urban problems as they seem. Results suggest the need for relevant education programs.…

A study examined characteristics common among young offenders from rural communities who were involved in multiple-fatality school shootings. Data on six cases involving eight offenders revealed six common offender characteristics: verbal threats, peer rejection, interest in violent media, previous violent behavior, suicidal ideation, and violent…

Summarizes interviews with British West Indies children concerning the production of art and the role of the artist. Demonstrates that children's perceptions undergo a shift from naive realism (pretty things make pretty pictures) to a more interpretive stance (the artist's efforts define the final product). (MJP)

The relationships among drug use, health beliefs, peer use, sex, and religion were examined using data collected from 265 seventh graders in rural northern Michigan and northeastern Wisconsin in January and February of 1984. Positive relationships were found between drug use and peer use and health beliefs. (TJH)

Examines the need to help rural youth become employable in today's changing circumstances, especially young adolescents in middle school programs. Discusses elements in effective School-to-Employment (STE) programs, basic job skills appropriate to middle-school exploratory STE programs, and the need for program articulation between middle and high…