Besides describing actual experiences of rural students who leave school before completing Year 12, a 1978-79 study in Western Australia was also designed to investigate options and employment opportunities available to school leavers. Questionnaires from 1,371 students in Years 9-12 in 14 schools collected data on background, education, aspirations and expectations. Six months later, students (256) identified as school leavers returned mailed questionnaires on their post-school experiences; 12 of the original students (employed, unemployed, or re-enrolled in school) were interviewed for case studies. Findings were: rural school leavers wanted to remain in country areas and were keen to get jobs; girls faced a more difficult situation than boys when leaving rural schools to seek work; substantial numbers of school leavers were disenchanted with school; information provided by schools on careers and on the transition from school to work may be inadequate; students from rural schools either sought work locally, moved to larger population centers to find jobs, or continued their studies; rural students found jobs in distinctive ways (direct contact and family associations); job opportunities were very restricted in rural areas. Recommendations included: considering the situation of female school leavers; reviewing rural secondary schools and schools' transition activities; further research. (MH)