The conference was conducted to make the problems of rural youth more visible, to integrate available information about the problems and potential of rural youth, and to mobilize resources needed to ensure that rural youth were prepared to assume adult roles in a rapidly changing society. Conference participants examined salient demographic, economic, family, and community influences on the development of rural youth. Because participants felt that formal educational attainment was becoming increasingly linked to occupational, economic, and social achievement, they devoted an entire conference session to the educational attainment and aspirations of rural youth. The conference also examined physical health problems among rural children and youth, identified mental retardation and mental health problems, and proposed programs for the treatment of these problems in rural areas. Speakers were concerned with the need for more effective juvenile delinquency programs and for better custody and treatment of juvenile and youthful offenders. In addition, they discussed the adaptation of rural youth to urban ways with particular attention paid to employment opportunities for rural youth, urban migration, and training programs. Finally, conference participants discussed ways of helping socially disadvantaged rural youth such as migrant children and low-income, black, Indian, and Hispanic youth. An appendix lists the background papers incorporated in the volume. References and tables