This study applied Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) to examine factors influencing the academic aspirations of high-achieving sixth and seventh graders (n = 178) in a Talent Identification and Career Exploration (TICE) program, emphasizing geographical and gender differences. Participants were from rural, micropolitan, and college towns in…

Teacher retention has become a major challenge for schools over the past several years. Rural school districts have become increasingly short on staff and are struggling to retain the staffs they have. The study had four purposes: (a) to determine teachers' perceptions of the factors leading to their retention, (b) to determine administrators'…

Homophobic bullying constitutes a serious threat to adolescent well-being and could be understood as an ecological phenomenon, influenced by diverse school, regional, and community contexts. This study examined geographic variations in the relationship between school characteristics and homophobic bullying. Data from 2244 California schools,…