Using measures sensitive to rural labor market conditions, determined that nearly a third of the rural labor force is underemployed--by being out of a job, working for low pay, or working too few hours. The current system of calculating unemployment rate seriously underestimates the extent of economic hardship in rural areas. (JHZ)

Reviews employment growth in rural and small town communities, focusing on two periods, 1940-70 and 1970-80. For the rest of the 1980s, predicts a slower growth in nonmetro areas--that is, slower than in metro areas and slower than in the 1970s--yet not as slow as in the 1960s. (JHZ)

The author argues against specialized education programs for rural children in developing nations, asserting that these children's education should not essentially differ from that considered suitable for urban children. For a contrasting opinion, see the article by David R. Evans (pp232-43). (See AA 533 194.) (SJL)

Reacting to the preceding article (pp216-21) by Elinor G. Barber, the author argues against a single formal system of general education for both rural and urban areas of developing nations. (See AA 533 193.) (SJL)

Analysis of effects of local educational levels on employment growth found that growth benefits of higher schooling levels during the 1970s were 14 times greater for metro than nonmetro commuting zones. During the 1980s, higher education levels did not significantly affect employment growth in metro or nonmetro zones; higher dropout rates were…

Rural people in their environment have the necessary attributes to successfully endure and survive those trials that would lead to urban decline. As societal problems require increased investment in existing institutions, the growing complexity eventually yields a lower level of benefits or returns. Urban problems such as hunger, homelessness, and…

This collection features 11 papers from a national symposium on rural education. The papers are consistent in noting that while there are common elements among all schools regardless of location, rural schools operate within a unique context. Several papers address the diversity of rural locales and the challenges educators face in such locales.…

The team assigned to develop a unit of study on Urbanization chose to examine a small town in Canada as a means of creating better understanding of urban growth, problems, and solutions. The general purpose was to develop in students an increased awareness of their own community by giving them an opportunity to observe, experience and participate…

Participation of Romanian youth in the modernization of rural patterns should be viewed in terms of the Romanian village and its economic, socio-cultural, and demographic characteristics. While agricultural technology has improved the quality of life in the Romanian village, the schooling network has been structured according to urban models and…

Farm policy alone is no longer a sufficient development policy for today's rural America. Rural economies have changed over the last 30-40 years from reliance on farming to greater reliance on manufacturing and service industries. Rural economic development policies need to reflect today's changed rural economy. (Author)

Compares the attitudes of newcomers to rural areas from cities with those of rural newcomers and rural residents on several growth and development issues. The research suggests that rural newcomers may be more likely to function as advocates of change in a local situation than former urbanites. (Author/CT)

The South's recent rapid growth has not erased its widespread poverty and low levels of human capital. The rural South remains the nation's low-income and high-poverty region, and low education levels may limit the rural South's prospects for development. Underlying social and economic conditions that depend on and reinforce a low-skill population…

The four conceptual/academic themes for the Second Annual University of Kentucky Conference on Appalachia were: School-Community Relationships; Economic Development through Education; Politics of Democratic Empowerment; and Politics of Literacy. Other session topics included: Successful Dropout Programs in Appalachia; Innovative Programs and…

The major features previously used to define rural life now fail to describe much of rural America, as changes that place rural areas in the vanguard of American society are manifest in rural landscape, institutions, economic activity, and life. The principal policy thrusts of modernization and urbanization and the related theories of product…

In their role as change agents, rural development personnel often modify the environment in which they are operating when they introduce different technology, institutional modifications, etc. Because these actions can change the relationship between the rural population and its habitat and may encourage out-migration or in-migration, rural…