In an era of heightened educational expectations, it can be difficult to discern why would-be first-generation college-going adolescents are less likely to enroll in college than non-first generation adolescents. This article draws from cultural sociology to interpret differences in the way that adolescents socially construct the transition into…

A new high school on a remote inland in Belize offers important educational opportunities to students who previously only had access to primary education. This qualitative case study applied Patterson's (2000) Culture of Poverty to understand challenges that exist that keep students from achieving their academic potential despite new opportunities…

This study investigated the influence of background variables (age, race/ethnicity, mother's work status outside of the home, and socioeconomic status), personal variables (anticipatory role conflict and academic self-efficacy), and environmental variables (parental attachment and parental support) on aspects of adolescent girls' career planning.…

This study presents the educational and career goals and perceptions of supports and barriers related to these goals as described in semistructured interviews of 16 students from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds attending 9th grade at an urban public high school in a large Northeastern city. Using consensual qualitative research (CQR)…

Of 883 Iowa high school seniors, 60% lived in towns, 40% on farms. Both groups had a high level of congruence between educational and occupational aspirations and perceived minimal barriers to goal achievement. Farm and town students had equally diverse aspirations. (Contains 23 references.) (SK)

This study investigated the impact of behavioral and affective factors on 688 African American high school students' academic performance, examining the relationship between school engagement, educational expectations, self-esteem, and school achievement; noting differences between males and females; and discussing whether behavioral and affective…

Examines prospectively the characteristics contributing to adolescent pregnancy in a pregnant and comparison group of adolescents. Adolescent pregnancy in Blacks was predicted by approval of delaying a family and pursuing a career, aspirations of working, and lower educational expectations. Higher educational wishes, lower educational…

A 4-year study followed 92 female students from private, single-sex high schools. Over time, all increased their interest in traditional female occupations. Those with lower educational aspirations who dated more had a lower and less-differentiated interest profile. Those with higher aspirations valued career over family. Dating was unrelated to…

Examined the scope of influence exerted by occupational and educational significant others identified by 142 high school youth to determine the extent to which this influence is segmental. Data showed that the influence of most significant others was specific to either educational or occupational ambitions, suggesting that these are fairly…

Presents a study that focused on life course perspective to adolescent academic orientation and parental involvement in education. Reveals that students in college-preparatory track begin high school as the highest in orientation and involvement, but they also experience a decline over time. Includes references. (CMK)

Based on the evidence and theory that sex-role differentiation increases in salience during those later high school years as students prepare for their imminent transition into young adulthood, it was anticipated that there would be a lower orientation toward achievement among grade 12 girls than grade 10 girls, and, possibly, the opposite for…

Combined data from Coleman's 1961 Adolescent Society survey and 15-year follow-up study of early status attainment of respondents. Found parents' effects on children's educational aspirations and attainments due to modeling and defining influences. Defining effects exceeded modeling effects in strength; proportion of parental influence due to…

Although 76% of African-American students graduate from high school, only 25% of these graduates enter institutions of higher education. A systematic analysis of the aspirations among African-American females for post-high-school education was conducted. Initial portions of the study focused on characteristics of support in the areas of familial…

Females had significantly higher attitude and competency scores on the Abbreviated Career Maturity Inventory, completed by 114 female and 187 male African-American high school students. Educational plans were consistent with occupational expectations; 90% females and 74% males preferred careers requiring degrees, and 89% females and 86% males…

Shifts in the number of women in the workplace and a greater diversity and prestige level in their work may have an impact on the educational and occupational level to which students aspire. To examine the consequences of this shift, a comparison of the educational and occupational aspirations of high school students with the educational and…