Using an Amharic version of the CNSIE (Children'srnNowicki-Strickland Internal-External Locus of Control Scale),rn360 4'" through 12'" graders (186 of which were males and 174rnfemales) were randomly selected and studied. Following thernpilot study, during which the instrument was tested andrnrefined, the main study was launched. In both the pilot andrnthe main studies, the effect of a socially desirable responsernbias was observed to be minimum .rnThe purpose of this study was to test whether or notrnlocus of control (i) develops with age, (ii) differs for malesrnand females of the same age, and (iii) relates to academicrnachievement. Furthermore, family factors affecting locus ofrncontrol were assessed and cross cul tural comparisons werernmade. Results showed that internality orientation (i)rnprogresses wi th an increase in age or grade 1 evel, (i i) doesrnnot differ for males and females of the same age, and (iii)rnpositively relates to higher academic achievement. Also, morerninternals perceived their parents as authoritative and morernexternals reported their parents as authoritarian . Moreover,rnEighth graders considered luck, wish, and fortune tellingrncircums tances as posi ti ve at tribu tes associa ted wi th goodrnconsequences which comparable American subjects did notrnbelieve . Results were explained and i mplications forwarded .