The objective of this volume (findings of the first 2 phases of a 4 phase research program) was to develop hypotheses (to be tested in future Federal youth programs) about the critical variables affecting the social and occupational adjustment of rural youth of Spanish surname. Some 59 hypotheses were derived from a literature survey, supplemented by personal interviews with Chicano and Anglo leaders in the rural Southwest, Chicano experts, Chicanos of all ages, and persons familiar with problems of migrating Chicano youth (rural to urban). Factors surveyed and examples of hypothesis topics included: the changing rural economic environment (declining need for agricultural workers creates unemployment problems for Chicanos, as 50 percent work in blue collar and agricultural jobs); characteristics of Chicano youth (low standard IQ scores, low occupational aspirations and expectations, low self concept); the education system (few teachers with adequate knowledge of cultural factors or bilingual programs, migrant youth segregation, etc.); response of rural Chicano youth to educational system (vocational rather than academic orientation, high dropout rates due to feelings of inferiority, need for money, etc.); rural to urban migration (successful adjustment requires English language facility, achievement orientation, education, etc.). (JC)