Differences Between Rural and Urban Schools, Student Characteristics, and Student Aspirations in Ohio

J. David McCracken; Jeff David T. Barcinas

Article

Differences Between Rural and Urban Schools, Student Characteristics, and Student Aspirations in Ohio

Authors

- J. David McCracken
- Jeff David T. Barcinas

Abstract

The major purpose of this research was to describe the relationships between school location (urban vs. rural) and students' occupational and educational aspirations. A secondary purpose was to explore the relationships between studentbackgroundfactors andlocation ofschool. A sample ofurban andrural 12th-grade students andhigh schoolprincipals in Ohio was surveyed. Urban and rural schools differed, as expected, in size, cost per pupil, size of staff, and breadth of curricular and extra-curricular offerings. Urban and rural students differed on the background characteristics of ethnicity, grade-point average, curriculum of enrollment, SES, and educational level of parents. They also differed in aspirations as measured by plans for advanced education, occupational choice, and income expectations.

Keywords:

How to Cite: McCracken, J. D. & Barcinas, J. D. (1990) “Differences Between Rural and Urban Schools, Student Characteristics, and Student Aspirations in Ohio”, Journal of Research in Rural Education. 7(2).