Demographic changes between 1970 and 1980 will affect New York rural schools in the 1980's. In the 1970's overall New York state population declined nearly 4% (about 700,000 persons), but rural areas gained about 100,000. Rural New York school districts now serve a population of about 2.5 million, a 5% increase since 1970. During the 1980's, Americans will continue to disperse into rural areas. The number of preschool children will increase (probably 5-10% in rural New York), but since the birth rate is at a record low, probably only modest increases in elementary school population will result. The number of teenagers is declining (probably by 25% in rural New York), which will mean fewer high school students and that some colleges located in rural areas will have difficulty surviving. A larger majority of the adult population and a larger fraction of the labor force are women, many of whom are single parents, so it will be harder to find school volunteers, and the need for after-school programs will be greater. The number of students may diminsh, but the number of students with emotional problems because of separation or divorce at home is likely to increase. (MH)