A series of studies conducted in the late 1980s suggested that American adolescents lack adequate knowledge in geography, history, science, and current events. This paper examines motivational predictors of students' knowledge of current events and AIDS. Researchers surveyed 579 middle school students from 4 middle schools, and 1,548 high school students from 9 high schools. Three research questions were investigated: (1) What variables predict adolescents' knowledge about current events and AIDS? (2) Are there developmental differences between early versus late adolescents in current events and AIDS knowledge? and (3) Are motivational goal orientations related to knowledge about current events and AIDS? Results revealed different patterns for the two student groups. The strongest predictors of current events knowledge for early adolescents appeared to be grade point average (GPA) and goal orientations; however, for older adolescents, thinking about social issues, gender, socioeconomic status, and plans after high school also predicted such knowledge. For AIDS knowledge, age offered the strongest predictor for the younger samples, with GPA and subject mastery goals being moderate predictors. Gender and goals emerged as additional predictors for high school students, with age dropping out as a significant predictor. Four tables and three figures highlight the statistical findings. (RJM)