COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING FOR RURAL YOUTH CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH THE EXISTING ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE PROVIDED BY RURAL AREAS DEVELOPMENT (RAD), WHOSE CENTRAL IDEA IS ORGANIZING COMMUNITY LEADERS TO IDENTIFY PROBLEMS, INVENTORY RESOURCES, AND FURTHER ORGANIZE AND PLAN TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS. HOWEVER, WHEN COMMUNITY LEADERS FAIL TO…

Surveys of 158 West Virginia Governor's Honors Academy (GHA) students and 644 seniors in rural West Virginia high schools suggest that, compared to the latter, GHA students are less alienated; are not more eager to leave their community; exhibit stronger modern dispositions, but not weaker rustic dispositions; and are equally satisfied with their…

Reviews research revealing the failure of Maine's rural youth to achieve and aspire to postsecondary education. Outlines development of a statewide business-education partnership--the Maine Aspirations Compact--and a university outreach program--the University of Maine's Aspirations Project--to help Maine's children fulfill their potential.…

In interviews, the 16 graduating seniors in Meadville, Missouri, expressed a preference for a small-town lifestyle, but had doubts about their town's viability. Discusses their educational and occupational aspirations. An insert describes youth programs sponsored by the Farmers Electric Co-op. (JAT)

A survey of 215 graduates from small rural high schools in north-central Missouri examined the perceived effectiveness of academic, vocational, and general education programs in the development of work skills. Vocational graduates perceived their education programs to be more effective overall, and in technology and occupational preparation, than…

This study of seven gifted female first-year college students (three African-American and four Euro-American) who had graduated from public high schools in rural south Georgia investigated their perceptions of their gifted programs in elementary and secondary school. Three data sources were used: a self-report participant questionnaire, follow-up…

Rural-to-urban migration of educated rural youth is a factor leading to economic marginality and community decline in rural America. This paper examines the extent to which high school curriculum contributes to the postschool outmigration of high school graduates, particularly those in rural areas. The study analyzed data from a national…

If rural communities are to remain viable, rural schools must seek ways to allow all students to learn, especially those "at risk" or with mild learning disabilities. Research has shown that many children with mild learning disabilities have faulty reading strategies and academic behaviors that interfere with reading comprehension and the solution…

This publication provides a variety of information on prevention and intervention programs for rural and urban children and adolescents. Drawing from a rural sociological perspective, the introductory paper defines "rural," discusses rural-urban economic and social differences, and lists indicators of risk for rural youth. It discusses the extent…

Data provided by the 1981-82 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) were used to study the citizenship and social studies achievement of rural 13-year-olds. The NAEP extreme rural sample included 901 13-year-olds from schools in areas with less than 10,000 people and many farmers or farm workers in residence. School size in this sample…

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) was designed to measure knowledge, skills, and attitudes of young Americans at various ages in 10 learning areas, and to measure educational attainment over time. Community categories used in NAEP research were High and Low Metro, Urban Fringe, Main Big City, Medium City, Small Places…

This paper examines rural conditions from three perspectives: education, demographics, and economics from national, state and regional data sources; Rural Attitude Survey data from students at Western Carolina University in the Appalachian mountain region; and concerns of teachers about education in the region derived from focus group discussions.…

Rural and Urban Images: Voices of Girls in Science, Mathematics, and Technology was a 3-year project that began in fall 1995 with a group of sixth-grade girls and followed the same girls through eighth grade. The project took place in two West Virginia counties, but this videotaped documentary features its implementation in rural McDowell County…

Addresses factors affecting rural education in Tasmania (Australia), including population trends, financial support, student enrollment, socioeconomic status of rural residents, and geographic isolation. Issues that need to be addressed include the status of small schools in Tasmania, costs associated with transporting students, staffing, low…

A study examined the relationship between medical students' background and their attitudes toward being trained or working as doctors in rural areas. Surveys of 97 first-year medical students at an Australian university indicated that students from rural backgrounds were more willing than urban students to be trained and to work in rural areas.…