This volume describes and critically examines the state of the art in research on achievement motivation in ethnically and culturally diverse groups. The authors address three visible shortcomings in the current literature the problems inherent in decontextualized research, the need to consider culture authentically, and the need to recognize differences within groups. This volume considers the greater insights that come from research that is contextualized, emphasizes individual meaning making, and embraces methods of inquiry that allow for a deep conceptual understanding of the rich and varied ways in which achievement and motivation develop both between and within cultures and contexts of learning. This is the 96th issue of the Jossey-Bass series New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development.