ECONOMIC-FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE EDUCATIONAL PERFORMANCE IN RURAL SCHOOLS

This paper examines the value that young people in rural areas place o n education. It employs survey data of over 700 youths in four central Appalachian school districts. OLS regression techniques, and an order ed probit model in a human capital framework. Students who are less wi lling to move and who have less positive perceptions of local employme nt opportunities will have less positive attitudes toward education an d will perform more poorly in school. Those who are more willing to mo ve place a higher value on education and perceive education as a means of leaving the rural community.