A sample of 176 Tennessee children and their mothers were studied in 1969 when the children were fifth or sixth graders and again in 1975 when they were eleventh or twelfth graders to determine changes in occupational and educational aspirations and expectations along with possible causes for such changes. Comparison of occupational aspirations and expectations showed that the percentage of students who aspired to professional-technical employment in 1969 had dropped to half that number in 1975. The percentage of those who expected such employment was even less. Educational goals also decreased, but to a lesser extent. Of those who aspired to post high school work in 1969, 62% were males and 60% females; in 1975, those percentages were 50% and 59%. Those who expected post high school work decreased to 27% and 30% respectively. Expectations for college work were 12% for males and 6% for females. Mothers' goals for their children showed similar patterns of decrease although mothers tended to have higher aspirations than their children, particularly for sons. By 1975, 28% of the boys and 43% of the girls had left school. Reasons given most often were dislike of school and lack of academic motivation. (Author/CM)