This study provides a developmental perspective on achievement goal orientations in writing using data obtained from 1266 students ranging in age from 9 to 17. The strength of task goal orientation decreased from elementary school to middle school and then increased in high school; performance-approach goals decreased from elementary school to middle school and stabilized; performance-avoid goals did not change. Gender differences in task goals favored girls at every level of schooling, whereas differences in performance-approach and performance-avoid goals favored boys. Students with higher self-efficacy, self-concept, and self-efficacy for self-regulation had higher task goals at each level of schooling than did students with lower self-beliefs.