A research study shows the strong positive relationship between traditional personal values and academic success of students from various disadvantaged backgrounds. Four categories of values were examined: (1) the work ethic, (2) religious commitment, (3) parental support of success in school, and (4) peer group support of success in school. A sample of 11,885 tenth grade students from families whose socioeconomic status was below the national median were selected from 30,000 sophomore students in the 1980 nation-wide study, High School and Beyond Survey. Values of students whose GPAs were in the upper 20 percent of the nation were compared with those whose GPAs ranked in the bottom 20 percent. Comparisons were made within each ethnic and racial classification. Students in the top category of academic achievement tended to express much stronger support for traditional values than did those in the bottom GPA category. Furthermore, the students in the top category were much more likely to have parents and friends who supported success in school. This finding is the same for all disadvantaged populations represented in this study, which includes four racial or ethnic groups: Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, and Whites. This study suggests that development of character and intellect are intertwined. If teachers and parents collaborate to encourage positive values of students, they are likely to enhance academic achievement and success in school. (JP)