This ERIC digest examines states' goals of rural literacy programs and the types of programs that have proven effective in the past. It includes several definitions of literacy applied by effective rural literacy programs. It also examines the conditions that support or limit widespread influence of effective programs in rural areas. The level of…

Concepts in consumer education can be arranged into a taxonomy of three primary categories: decision making, resource management, and citizen participation. Consumer programs have these goals: (1) producing competent buyers and users of goods and services; (2) producing competent financial managers; (3) producing an understanding of the economy;…

Studies have confirmed that middle school students must learn to do the following: think about the future; recognize their responsibility for educational planning; broaden their aspirations beyond the stereotypes of gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic level; develop and maintain self-esteem; develop complexity; understand how school relates to…