Identifies problems concerning the youth labor force, and points out that across most age and school status groups rural youth are less likely to be employed than urban youth. Available from: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Rm. 456 GHI Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20250. (JD)

Efforts to determine the effectiveness of federal youth employment training programs have indicated that positive results are accompanied by persistent problems. Available from: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Rm. 456 GHI Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20250. (JD)

A longitudinal survey, conducted 1979-88, indicates that young adults leaving nonmetro areas followed complex migration patterns normally involving multiple moves, including 15% who returned from cities to counties of origin. Rural outmigration rates and patterns differed by race and ethnicity, income, and geographic proximity to urban areas.…

According to the 1992 National Adult Literacy Survey, rural workers score somewhat lower than urban workers in ability to use written and quantitative materials. However, scores of rural and urban young adults are similar, reflecting recent improvements in rural education. Rural workers earn less than urban workers with similar literacy skills;…

Emphasizes the effects of poverty, lack of education, and scarce medical resources (all prevalent in rural areas) which contribute to poor health conditions and practices for rural children. Available from: U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Rm. 456 GHI Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20250. (JD)

A comparison of outmigration and inmigration rates for nonmetropolitan counties during 1985-90 reveals that high levels of outmigration in rural areas among young adults are mitigated by inmigration of this age group; that net outmigration is more severe among college-educated young people; and that high net-loss counties are distinguished by low…

National Longitudinal Survey of Youth data were used to analyze the educational goals and attainment of rural and urban youth; boys and girls; and advantaged, average, and disadvantaged youth. Boys and girls had similar educational aspirations and attainment, but family background characteristics mattered more to girls, especially rural girls.…

The nonmetropolitan dropout rate fell sharply, 1975-93, closing the nonmetro-metro gap. National longitudinal data on dropout risk factors related to family, community, and local labor market reveal that low parental education and income are the greatest barriers to reducing rural dropouts. High school students had unrealistic educational and…

Rural high school graduates are less likely to graduate from college than their urban counterparts, mostly because they are less likely to attend college. Half of rural college attendees leave home and do not return by age 25. Those that do return are drawn largely by home ties and intervening life choices rather than local job opportunities.…

This special theme issue reports key results from a comprehensive assessment of skill development among the rural workforce and of rural education and job training in rural areas. This comprehensive assessment had three goals: to develop better measures of rural skills than were previously available, to identify human capital initiatives that…