A qualitative study of adults aged 65-74 investigated why few of them participated in organized educational activities. Interviews were conducted with 33 individuals at seven senior citizen centers in or near Houston, Texas. They included eight Caucasian females, six Black females, nine Hispanic females, one Oriental female, five Hispanic males, and four Black males. None of them had participated in organized educational activities. Only the center in an upper middle-class, predominantly white area offered a variety of courses; those in the areas that ranged from being predominantly Black or predominantly Hispanic to being almost racially balanced offered only an English as a second language course. Among the 33 individuals, 19 made comments that indicated that a poor self-image kept them from participating, and 21 lacked interest in the kinds of course that were offered. They were not interested in arts and crafts courses, which in the words of one participant "are for old people." They were interested in courses on computers, drama, literature, history, government, languages, reading, writing, math, and current events--courses that would "keep them in touch with the world." Additional findings were that self-directed learning was the preferred method for many, continuing education was seen as very important to 25 of them, and lack of formal education was not a barrier to participation. (Sixteen references are included.) (CML)