This collection of papers explores sociocultural influences on motivation and learning across a broad range of settings and content areas. There are 16 papers in five sections. "Introduction" includes: (1) "Modern Education Needs Cross-Cultural Psychology" (Harry Triandis). Part 1, "The Motivation Context," includes: (2) "Beyond Dichotomous Characterizations of Student Learning: New Directions in Achievement Motivation Research" (Janine Bempechat and Beth A. Boulay); (3) "A Comparison of Motivational and Critical Thinking Orientations Across Ethnic Groups" (Tim Urdan and Carol Giancarlo); and (4) "The Contexts of Individual Motivational Change" (Judith MacCallum). Part 2, "The Learning Context," features: (5) "Social Representations of School Failure in Brazilian Public Schools: A Framework for Understanding and Change" (Elizabeth Gama and Denise Meyreles de Jesus); (6) "The Impact of Sociocultural Context on Future Goals and Self-Regulation" (Stephanie Brickman and Raymond Miller); and (7) "Uncovering Sociocultural Influences Leads to a Call for Personalized Learning" (Glenn Fay). Part 3, "The Family Context," includes: (8) "Perceived Parenting Success of Mothers in Japan" (Robert Strom, Shirley Strom, and Paris Strom); (9) "Fathers' Role in the School Success of Adolescents: A Singapore Study" (Ong Ai Choo and Esther Tan); and (10) "Correlates of Achievement in the United Arab Emirates: A Sociocultural Study" (Maher M. Abu-Hilal). Part 4, "The Curriculum Context," features: (11) "Engaged Reading: A Multi-Level Approach to Considering Sociocultural Factors with Diverse Learners" (Robert Rueda, Laurie Macgillivray, Lilia Monzo, and Angela Arzubiaga); (12) "Adolescent Second Language Writers in China: A Sociocultural Analysis" (Kerri-Lee Krause and Dan O'Brien); (13) "Achievement in Mathematics and Language Arts: A Comparative Study of Canadian and German Preservice Teachers' Beliefs" (Erika Kuendiger, David Kellenberger, and Siegbert Schmidt); (14) "Native American Influence on Curriculum and Instruction" (Scott Sparks); (15) "Sociocultural Context and Service Learning Inside and Outside of the University Classroom" (Valerie McKay); and (16) "Play and Learning in School: A Motivational Approach" (Ole Fredrik Lillemyr). (Papers contain references.) (SM)