Improving high school graduation rates has in recent years become a growing concern to state and local policymakers for a number of reasons: the reduced economic opportunities and increased social costs for individuals without a high school diploma; the economic consequences, such as reduced tax revenues; and the need for more college graduates. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has projected, for example, that 90% of the fastest-growing jobs will require some form of postsecondary education--not a likely proposition for high school dropouts. This issue of "The Progress of Education Reform" summarizes the findings of five recent studies that address: (1) Early predictors for dropping out of school; (2) 9th-grade predictors of risk in an urban environment; (3) School characteristics linked to higher graduation rates; (4) Economic benefits of several programs that positively influence high school completion rates; and (5) A synthesis of the research on dropping out and the importance of state data systems to support dropout prevention efforts. (Contains 1 footnote.)