The Impact of Poverty on Rural Youth: An Analysis of the Relationship Between Family Income and Educational Aspirations, Self-Concept Performance, and Values of Rural High School Students.

The purpose of this study of rural youth, initiated in 1964, was to determine if low family income tends to depress students' aspirations, achievements, and expectations. The sample for the study consisted of 601 students from 30 Washington high schools. The data were obtained by questionnaires and interviews administered to students, and through mail questionnaires to the parents. Analysis of the data revealed that students from low income families, when compared to students from high income families, were less likely to: (1) be interested in school or be in curricula designed for college-bound students, (2) report high grades in course work, (3) receive encouragement from teachers to attend college, (4) discuss their occupational and educational plans with teachers, (5) hold leadership positions in school organizations, (6) indicate that they belong to "leading crowds" in their schools, (7) report high scores on self evaluation scales indicating physical, social, academic, and emotional self concepts, (8) report high levels of educational and occupational aspirations and expectations, and (9) report that their parents can support them financially in several educational and occupational pursuits. (TL)