Few researchers have asked students directly about what they know and need to know regarding college and career planning. Given the critical choices made early in high school, ninth graders (n = 222) were surveyed regarding their educational and career plans and the resources they were using in their decision-making. Overall results as well as differences by ethnicity, gender, and parent education group are reported. Results indicated a discrepancy between plans and accurate information about college costs and availability.

Few researchers have asked students directly about what they know and need to know regarding college and career planning. Given the critical choices made early in high school, ninth graders (n = 222) were surveyed regarding their educational and career plans and the resources they were using in their decision-making. Overall results as well as differences by ethnicity, gender, and parent education group are reported. Results indicated a discrepancy between plans and accurate information about college costs and availability.

African Americans continue to experience significant difficulty integrating into mainstream American society. Research literature demonstrates that after decades of legislation designed to address African American socialization issues, African Americans continue to seem to be unable to pull many of their communities out of academic disparities, high unemployment, crippling poverty, and endemic crime. There appears to be historical ramifications and etiological determinants that explicate the challenges that confront African American communities. However, few researchers seem to understand the actual culture of African Americans. As such, counselors, educators, and policymakers are seemingly unable to devise and implement effective intervention strategies that appropriately attend to these endemic challenges. Thereby, explication of the historical “roots” and legacy of African American culture seems critical.