TO PROVIDE GUIDELINES FOR AN ADEQUATE PROGRAM OF EDUCATIONAL IMPROVEMENT IN A COUNTY REGARDED AS HAVING DEEPLY RURAL ROOTS, QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES WERE ANALYZED FROM SIX GROUPS OF RESPONDENTS--(1) PRESENT SENIORS ATTENDING THE COUNTY'S FIVE PUBLIC AND PAROCHIAL HIGH SCHOOLS (228 OR 96 PERCENT RESPONSE), (2) 1959 AND 1960 GRADUATES OF PUBLIC AND PAROCHIAL HIGH SCHOOLS (189 OR 55.8 PERCENT RESPONSE), (3) A RANDOM SAMPLE OF HOUSEHOLDS AND PARENTS OF STUDENTS CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN COUNTY SCHOOLS (154 OR 25.6 PERCENT RESPONSE), (4) PRINCIPALS OF ALL ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS (18 OR 100 PERCENT RESPONSE), (5) TEACHERS PRESENTLY TEACHING IN COUNTY SCHOOLS (166 OR 80 PERCENT RESPONSE), AND MEMBERS OF FIVE BUSINESS, PROFESSIONAL, AND CIVIC GROUPS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY (35, RESPONSE NOT PERCENTAGED). BAR GRAPHS AND TABLES INDICATE RESPONDENT EVALUATIONS OF SCHOOL CURRICULAR AND ACTIVITY PROGRAMS, HOME RESOURCES, ADEQUACY OF HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE, AND AVAILABILITY OF EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS. RECOMMENDATIONS SUMMARIZING THE STUDY'S FINDINGS INCLUDE--(1) FORMATION OF A COUNTY CURRICULUM COMMITTEE, (2) ESTABLISHMENT OF DIRECT COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE COUNTY'S BOARDS OF EDUCATION, (3) SPONSORSHIP OF AN ADEQUATE FAMILY LIFE PROGRAM BY THE COUNTY'S CHURCHES IN COOPERATION WITH HOMES, SCHOOLS, AND OTHER GROUPS, (4) STRENGTHENING OF DRAMA, ART, AND MUSIC APPRECIATION PROGRAMS, AND (5) ADEQUATE PROVISION OF EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS WITH PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR THEIR EFFECTIVE USE.(JK)