RURAL DROPOUTS - A CASUAL COMPARISON

This study of high school drop-outs focuses on two rural southcentral Pennsylvania school districts and compares its' data to existing studi es of urban school districts. The questionnaire presented solicits a b road response, including personal data, employment status, reasons for dropping out, and the subjects' suggestions for drop-out prevention. Although some findings-coincide with existing urban data, this study n otes that rural attrition due to pregnancy is three times the national level. A high percentage of drop-outs' parents did not graduate from high school, and the subjects today hold mainly non-skilled positions with low-ranking salaries. The subjects' suggestions on improving rete ntion tended toward establishing a more ''practical'', work-oriented c urriculum.