This pamphlet summarizes a conference in Boston on May 6, 1986. Its goal was to assess and plan strategies for the dropout problem in the Boston Public Schools. The Boston Compact, the draft plan contained in this document and prepared before the conference, served as the focus for discussion. Educators and administrators from across the country formed work groups to offer suggestions and recommendations for the plan. Some speakers and their topics were the following: (1) welcome addresss, William S. Edgerly; (2) "The Challenge of High-Risk Youth to Boston and the Nation," Julian T. Houston; and (3) "A Dropout Prevention and Reentry Proposal," Laval S. Wilson. The Draft Dropout Plan contained the following elements: (1) a statement of goals to reduce the dropout rate and return dropouts to educational programs; (2) background assumptions that explain the relationship between educational services and the decision to drop out; (3) structural issues recommending changes in the way educational and social services are organized; (4) program innovations for basic education; (5) plans for alternative educational programs; (6) plans for community services related to education; and (7) funding strategies. Recommendations from the work group concentrated on the scope and missing elements of the plan. (VM)