Rural America has long been perceived as "left behind" by policies that leave it struggling while benefiting bustling urban cities and suburbs. That narrative holds some truth: rural America has a declining population, along with lower educational attainment and lower workforce participation than urban America. But while rural America…

This Delphi study identified postsecondary career and technical education (CTE) needs and differences by race in rural areas. Seventeen rural community experts in education, business, and community leadership participated across three rounds. Round 1 involved interviews to compile perspectives about future careers and training. Round 2 used…

This landscape report explores the impact of earning micro-credentials on the social mobility of rural learners. Through four in-depth case studies, we show how earning micro-credentials may lead to credential attainment, workforce entry, promotions, and/or economic improvements (e.g., salary increase, prioritizing learners impacted by poverty),…

For over a year, COVID-19 has disrupted all our lives, including our education system and the future for many Coloradans. Recovery from the pandemic is in sight, but Colorado's industries more than ever will depend upon postsecondary education to help produce the workforce needed in a changed environment and altered economy. It is vital to promote…

Despite increasing high school graduation rates, students are not enrolling in or completing postsecondary education at similarly increasing rates. Although the state's performance has improved in recent years, Texas's overall college attainment rates fall well short of where they could be and reflect significant achievement gaps. These…

New corporate practices and strategies, technological advances and rising job skill requirements are making postsecondary training a virtual necessity for a high-paying job. This is driving a wedge between the earnings of education "haves" and "have nots." Corporate restructuring is eliminating hundreds of thousands of jobs,…

Includes " A Bridge Too Far: Democracy, Development and Education in Rural South Africa (Parker); "Khuphuka: A Skills Training and Employment Programme in Durban, South Africa" (Comninos); "Reconstruction and Development Programme and Tertiary Institutions in South Africa"; and "Report on the First Session of the…

Thirty-six tables provide detailed information about educational and socioeconomic characteristics of students nationwide. The data show, among other things, that overall enrollment is down from 1970, especially at the kindergarten and elementary school level. College attendance is up, though, as more women and people over 25 enroll. This is…

This two-part project was initiated to develop guidelines for the physical facilities required to meet the needs of Maine for higher education at less-than-baccalaureate levels. Part 1 evaluates the social, economic, and educational needs for general, technical, and occupational training and education. Existing institutions are currently working…

This annotated bibliography is designed to assist rural leaders seeking ways to effectively structure successful job development projects in their communities. The 120 entries are listed in the main body alphabetically by author, and are grouped in the index into categories reflecting Thomas's "seven hallmarks of successful rural development": (1)…

The structure and admission policy of secondary and postsecondary education in Egypt constitutes a culture of great prestige in general school and university education, as opposed to vocational school and technical education. Youth mainly from rural and underdeveloped urban areas enroll in technical education. Because of poverty, many girls and…

Cooperative Extension Service personnel from 13 Southern states attended a conference on rural revitalization, focusing on Extension's role in (1) economic development, (2) human capital, and (3) infrastructure; 17 of the 22 papers presented are divided among those categories. Three of the remaining papers provide respectively, an overview of the…

Examines linkages between adult continuing education and rural economic development strategies. Categorizes educational program responses to human capital investment needs of adults, and indicates the economic impact in rural areas of such responses. Discusses social roles as a motivator for educational participation. Contains 29 references. (SV)

The conference brought Southern state and local leaders together to discuss ways to revitalize depressed rural areas and to improve citizens' quality of life. Papers discussed: (1) goals for rural educational improvement; (2) human resource barriers to community and economic development in the South; (3) survey results indicating that Alabama…

This study discusses the migration of people out of West Virginia, a recurring phenomenon through the State's history. The study links outmigration to economic factors and summarizes recent research. West Virginia is a mostly rural state, and it is noted that employment opportunities in rural areas are generally limited. While outmigration often…