The structure of nonmetro employment has become increasingly diverse and decreasingly agricultural. The precise policy implications of these shifts are not self-evident, but the increasingly nonagricultural character of the rural economy is at the heart of the population turnaround. (Author/KR)

Changes in population growth from urban to rural areas are reviewed and social, economic, and attitudinal explanations for these changes are discussed. In particular, the role of residential preferences in decisions to migrate and the resulting policy implications are analyzed. (Author/KR)

This state of the art report sees progress toward improving social and economic conditions in rural America, but cites areas where there is lag when compared with metro counterparts. Wage levels, family income, employment opportunities, housing, and access to health and other essential services could be improved. (Author/KR)

Suggests that equitable funding for public schools can help effectively reduce disparities in socio-economic conditions between urban and rural areas. Advocates the earmarking of a greater portion of general revenue sharing funds. Available from: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Rm. 456 GHI Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20250. (JD)

This special theme issue reports key results from a comprehensive assessment of skill development among the rural workforce and of rural education and job training in rural areas. This comprehensive assessment had three goals: to develop better measures of rural skills than were previously available, to identify human capital initiatives that…