In 2004, the Center for Rural Pennsylvania contracted with Pennsylvania State University to begin a longitudinal study of rural Pennsylvania school students to understand their educational and career aspirations and the factors influencing their aspirations, whether their plans change as they age and if they attain their goals. In its entirety,…

Six predictor variables (gender, race, disadvantage, postsecondary plans, vocational education, career indecision) were 75% accurate in identifying career maturity and immaturity among 90 economically disadvantaged rural ninth graders. Career indecision and race were most important for career immaturity, race and disadvantage for career maturity.…

Cluster-analytic technique classified 189 rural adolescents according to career indecision type as measured by Career Decision Scale. Resulting three-cluster solution described types of career indecision experienced by adolescents in early exploration stage. Clusters span continuum that includes tentatively decided-crystallizing preferences,…

A study was devised to test the hypothesis that rural ninth grade students viewing videotaped field trips as part of vocational group guidance classes will exhibit greater occupational knowledge than similar groups who do not view the videotapes. Subjects were 262 ninth grade students from four rural high schools; the schools were paired to form a…

As part of continuing research into how individuals decide what to do with their lives, ninth graders in a small town high school were surveyed in 1967 and 1979. Focusing on group differences, results of questions on future time perspectives, career possibilities, interactions with people, family cohesiveness, and autonomy are discussed. (BS)