The literature reviewed suggest a variety of approaches to youth retention. Overall, youth retention strategies often focus on education, training, career opportunities, as well as youth engagement demonstrating that retention is a combination of efforts. In order to successfully retain youth you have to identify and pay attention to the influencing factors noted above. It is important to know your youth, to understand the relationships that youth have with their region and to educate decision makers about youth needs. Education is a critical element of youth retention as rural school success is tied to economic viability and the sustainability of economic development.