The general objective of this study was to learn the nature of associations for race and sex with several dimensions of educational orientations held by adolescents living in selected all-rural, low-income areas. A secondary objective was to evaluate the general utility of a new multi-dimensional conceptual scheme for the study of status orientations. A group-administered questionnaire was given to high school sophomores in 3 all-rural, economically depressed counties in Texas to determine the students' educational aspiration and expectation levels. Results indicated that Negroes had higher educational goal levels and expected attainment levels than did whites. Negroes, however, experienced greater anticipatory deflection from their educational goals and they were more likely to be deflected positively. Boys had higher goals than girls, although no significant differences were found in intensity of aspiration, certainty of expectation, or deflection from their goal. Differences were greater in educational goal levels and expected attainment levels between sexes than between races. The multi-dimensional conceptual scheme was deemed fruitful. Definite implications were drawn for future policy-making and social action concerning racial differences. (CM)