Changes in the occupational and educational aspirations and expectations of fifth and sixth grade children over a 6-year period were studied. In 1969, a questionnaire was administered to 355 students from 4 rural mountain schools and 3 urban schools in low-income areas in 3 Kentucky counties. In 1975, 199 students from the same rural mountain schools and 292 from 3 Fayette County schools serving low-income areas were given the same questionnaire. Both years, the urban sample was half black and half white, whereas the rural Appalachian sample was all white. The questionnaire consisted of questions about the students' aspirations and expectations, influence of various people on their future plans, and their parents' influence on their educational goals. Some findings were: expectations were lower than aspirations both years; in 1969 only 27.8% of the black males and 25% of the white urban males aspired to professional-technical jobs, while in 1975, 58.7% and 46.3% respectively did; in 1975 black urban males projected higher career and educational goals than in 1969; white rural boys projected much lower goals in 1975; in 1975 females still projected higher educational and occupational status levels than did the boys; and black girls indicated higher parental aims, up from 74% to 82%. (NQ)