Participants in a symposium on education in rural New York analyzed strengths and weaknesses and made policy suggestions relating to three broad goals: (1) create parity of access to lifelong educational and cultural opportunities for residents and institutions in rural areas; (2) enhance the quality of lifelong educational and cultural opportunities; and (3) maximize the effective use of available educational resources. Identification of strengths focused on the positive educational climate of rural schools, numerous existing educational institutions in rural areas, abundant opportunities for outdoor education, and a growing number of people who want to live in small communities and have their children attend small schools. Weaknesses included decline in rural per capita income in real dollars, insufficient educational services and opportunities, low pupil performance and aspiration, lack of summer opportunities for rural youth, stringent regulatory structure, and declining enrollments. Policy suggestions included greater incentives for rural instructional staff, creation of more responsive funding mechanisms, upgrading the professional work environment, and cooperative arrangements between all levels of education and the business community. (JHZ)