Five Youth Employment and Demonstration Program Act (YEDPA) programs are compared with the Career Intern Program (CIP) (an alternative high school program aiming to prepare dropouts, and those likely to abandon school, for employment) in terms of emphasizing issues related to program implementation. The YEDPA programs selected for comparison upon the basis of shared characteristics were; the Youth Incentive Entitlement Programs, Youth Community Service, Exemplary in School, School to Work, and Job Corps. An overview of these is given in Chapter II. The findings of the quantitative and qualitative analytic approach used to examine various client and administration related issues are described and synthesized, and factors accounting for the findings explored. Chapter III compares the following client related implementation variables one at a time across the programs: demographic and sociological characteristics, local labor market; participation incentives; entrance requirements and eligibility; perceptions of program prestige and stability. The administration related issues compared in the following chapter include: staff selection and training; activities; coordination and cooperation with local education authorities and local communities; providing work-experiences. Factors accounting for significant implementation outcomes and operations are also explored. The final chapter presents conclusions and policy implications. (AEF)