The career aspirations of 491 rural Ohio secondary students were identified. Results indicate that rural schools emphasize preparation for college attendance and that rural parents hold educational expectations for their children higher than their own attainments. Students also had high expectations, especially with regard to salary. (Author/CH)

Among 1,247 Ohio seniors, 74 percent of rural and 84 percent of urban students planned postsecondary education. Rural and urban students had similar levels of occupational aspirations but different occupational choices; rural students had lower income expectations. Student, family, and school characteristics differed significantly between the two…

This paper examines the relationships between school location (urban versus rural) and students' occupational and educational aspirations. It also explores the relationships between student background factors and location of school. The sample consisted of 529 seniors in the class of 1989 in 10 rural high schools, and 718 seniors in 5 urban high…

Place of residence or location of school, in terms of rural or urban, have been considered to be related to students' educational and occupational aspirations in many studies. Results of this study indicate that urban students had higher educational and occupational aspirations than rural students; however, rural schools seemed to emphasize…

Panel studies examined changes in the educational and occupational aspirations of 191 rural Ohio youth. The 1988 survey questions were similar to those asked in a study conducted 3 years earlier when subjects were 10th and 12th graders. Major findings were: (1) the influence of school personnel on student career and curriculum choices was less…

Different areas and regions of the nation have characteristically different rural high school systems due to differences in socioeconomic status of the residents, racial or ethnic membership, and family background. Differences in staffing patterns, enrollment levels, and school budgets are also characteristics that help to differentiate rural and…

This study was conducted to ascertain changes in the aspirations of rural youth in Ohio as they matured during their high school years and entered college or the work force. A Student Information Questionnaire (SIQ) was developed to measure the following variables: (1) sources of influence on curriculum decisions; (2) changes in desired and…

Comparison of 529 Ohio rural twelfth graders (69 percent response) and 266 from Georgia (83 percent response) revealed differences in gender; ethnicity; parental socioeconomic status, educational level, and expectations; occupational choice; income expectation; and plans for postsecondary education. Georgia students had higher income and…

This paper examines the relationships between high school curriculum (academic, general, and vocational) and students' occupational and educational aspirations in rural schools. The study was conducted in Ohio and then replicated in Southwest Georgia. In Ohio, 767 predominantly white rural senior students completed a questionnaire and the…

This study described the nature of the students enrolled in vocational agriculture in Clark County, Ohio. The study determined the relationship between the family farm situation of the students and their occupational goals, reasons for their decisions to enroll, after-graduation plans, and whether they are male or female. (CT)