Introduction or preface

Are today's teenagers really slackers, the apathetic, baggy-pants wearing, unmotivated individuals so often portrayed by the media? In this landmark study of 7,000 adolescents two of the nation's foremost education experts provide startling news about our teenagers. Contrary to prevailing notions, today's teens are the most ambitious generation yet - more want to be college graduates and work as professionals than ever before. But because schools and parents sometimes do a poor job of directing them, many take the wrong courses, choose the wrong colleges, and enter college with unrealistic career goals. For many their dreams of success are likely to remain just that - dreams.