The goals and values students hold, how these are related to school motivation and achievement, and how these goals develop and change over a period of years in the context of cultural background, family, society, and school was studied with Native American and Anglo American students from a middle and high school in Phoenix, Arizona. Participants were selected for this longitudinal study when they were in grades 7 and 8, and it was intended that they would be interviewed annually until they finished high school. Over 3 years, 48 first interviews, 26 second interviews, and 11 third interviews were conducted. The analyses of these interviews indicate that for Native American and Anglo American students alike, there are four needs that motivate them to strive for school success: (1) seeking excellence in one's work; (2) self-esteem; (3) affiliation; and (4) social concern. A number of the values and needs emphasized in the school setting, such as competition, group leadership, recognition, and rewards, are perceived to be relatively unimportant by these students. Many students did not have a clearly articulated sense of purpose for their schooling, and this lack should be addressed. (Contains 2 tables and 42 references.) (SLD)