Jon Bailey forwarded me information on a recent study that looked at the dilemma rural youth face at graduation. Do they remain as adults in rural communities where they may sacrifice educational or economic opportunities, or leave for expanded options in urban areas?
The authors of the study interviewed 300 former students of a small rural community in Iowa (the community is not revealed). They found that most youth fit into one of four categories- Achievers, Stayers, Seekers, and Returners.
The Achievers are the students that are successful in high school. These students are “enthusiastically encouraged by parents and teachers to focus on their high school studies, pursue higher education, and seek careers outside of town.” The Stayers typically skip college and remain in the hometown area to marry, have children, and work at mainly service or factory jobs. The Seekers tend to skip higher education and turn to the military as a way out of the community, seeking greener grass elsewhere.
The Returners fall into two categories. “First are the High-Flyers, Achievers who, for a variety of personal and economic reasons, return to rural communities. Boomerangs, who were originally eager to explore the world, ultimately were disappointed enough to return.”
The study offers some suggestions for how rural places might do a better job of retaining their youth. They note the “irony of investing heavily in youth who are destined to leave rural communities for opportunities elsewhere.” The authors encourage school boards, teachers, and others to “turn their attention to Stayers and Boomerangs, those who will remain in rural places and will be most interested in their viability.” The authors recommend “stronger relationships between local high schools and community colleges and the establishment of career academy, dual credit or transition programs for potential Stayers and Boomerangs.” This may also include efforts to link curriculum and instruction to local community needs, including economic development. Not an easy thing to do.
Bancroft-Rosalie School has been working closely with Northeast Community College on exactly what the study suggests- career academies and dual credit opportunities. We need to encourage the Stayers to attend college and learn skills that they can bring back to utilize in the community. Possibly, to start their own business.
The study is published in the book, Hollowing Out the Middle: The Rural Brain Drain and What It Means For America.
