The purpose of this study was to examine college pathways or college access and success of rural, first-generation students. Most research on college pathways for low- and moderate-income students focuses on those students as a whole or on urban low-socioeconomic status (SES) students. (Caution is in order when generalizing the experiences of…

This brief explores the link between rural youths' identification with their community, their self-esteem, and their future plans. The panel study of New Hampshire's Coos County youth offers a snapshot into the dynamics of a population that is developing its identity in a region that is undergoing an identity transformation of its own. Place…

Involvement in civic and community activities is a core part of positive youth development. Adolescents involved in voluntary civic activities have greater academic engagement, enhanced well-being, less involvement in problem behaviors, and they are more likely to value connections to their community than those who are not involved. The current…

Imagine a K-8 school in a remote corner of southern Appalachia with a student body that once qualified for 100 percent coverage of free and reduced school meals. Imagine a school budget far below the state and national averages and a well-worn building that has been in use for a half-century. This is the reality of Grassy Fork School in Cocke…

The current study, using data from 374 African American students (59.4% female) in grades 7-12 attending a rural, southern county public school, addressed associations of self-efficacy, ethnic identity and parental support with "future education orientation." Both gender and current level of achievement distinguished adolescents with…

Nanakuli is a rural, poverty-stricken community on the remote west coast of the Hawaiian island of O'ahu. In May 2006, Nanakuli High and Intermediate was ranked the worst school in the state of Hawaii. In this article, the author relates what happened when she led teens in Nanakuli through the creation and performance of an original theatre show…

THE GOALS FOR RURAL EDUCATION, THE ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT, AND STATISTICAL DATA ABOUT MEMBERSHIP AND FINANCIAL STATUS ARE PRESENTED IN THE MAIN BODY OF THE REPORT. THE APPENDICES INCLUDE--(1) A FINANCIAL STATEMENT, (2) REPORTS FROM THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE STATE DIRECTORS, FROM THE COMMITTEE ON RURAL LIFE AND EDUCATION, FROM THE…

A rural school teacher lifts and inspires youth from every home in a Kentucky school district. A high level of motivation is provided for students' future endeavors. (JL)

The paper gives interested persons examples of how small and rural schools are providing essential guidance services. A synthesis of the literature dealing with current guidance programs and practices in these schools is presented. Suggestions are made for training guidance specialists and for providing viable innovations in counseling and…

Introducing the concept of phenomenology (concern with consciousness, objects of consciousness, possibilities, and a return to "things") supported by ethnomethodology as a viable approach to rural sociology, this paper presents: (1) a brief review of selected articles discussing the conceptualization of "rural"; (2) certain…

Investigated rural high school students' perceptions of two major secondary school role models' (teachers and popular peers) solutions to five ontological and axiological problem spheres. Some seemingly contradictory findings are discussed in terms of institutional demands that often force teachers to model behaviors that neither they nor society…

Examines the effect of the British educational scholarships created by the 1921 Corn Production Acts (Repeal). Points out that the act enabled sons and daughters of agricultural laborers to attend secondary schools in order to obtain agricultural education. Concludes that the scholarships helped the rural youth, the agricultural economy, and the…

Based on case studies centered on two rural secondary schools in Lesotho and Zimbabwe, this article examines the gendered impacts of schooling on young people's transitions to adulthood. School attendance is shown first to disrupt the conventional pathways to adulthood: Young people attending school may leave home sooner than they otherwise would…