A DROPOUT IS A PUPIL WHO LEAVES A SCHOOL BEFORE GRADUATION OR BEFORE THE COMPLETION OF A PROGRAM OF STUDIES, AND WHO DOES NOT TRANSFER TO ANOTHER SCHOOL. TABLES SHOW THE NUMBER OF PUPILS IN SCHOOLS FROM GRADE 5 THROUGH COLLEGE ENTRANCE FROM 1924 TO 1962, AND FROM GRADE 9 THROUGH GRADUATION FROM 1928 TO 1962. ANOTHER TABLE SHOWS PUBLIC SCHOOL NINTH GRADE ENROLLMENT IN 1958 AND THE PERCENT GRADUATING IN 1962 BY STATE. SOME OF THE REASONS FOR LEAVING SCHOOL INCLUDE FINANCIAL NEEDS, DISLIKE OF SCHOOL, HOME CIRCUMSTANCES, MARRIAGE, PREGNANCY, FEELING OF REJECTION, FAILURE AND RETARDATION, CONFLICTS WITH TEACHERS, AND FREQUENT CHANGES OF SCHOOLS. EARLY SCHOOL DROPOUT CAN BE REDUCED BY--IMPROVING THE EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAM, PROVIDING PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT, IMPROVING THE INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM, ASSISTING WITH EDUCATIONAL CHOICES, REDUCING SIZE OF CLASSES, AND COOPERATING IN COMMUNITY, EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL, AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS. A LIST OF REFERENCES OF PUBLIC SCHOOL PROGRAMS WHICH ARE TAKING MEASURES TO KEEP CHILDREN IN SCHOOL IS INCLUDED.