This monograph reports the findings of a study based on interviews with 50 young mothers who participated in a national research and demonstration program called New Chance. It explains that New Chance aims to increase the employment, economic self-sufficiency, and general well-being of young women on Aid to Families with Dependent Children who are high school dropouts, and to enhance the learning and development of their children as well. Chapter 1 supplies a context for understanding the report and its findings. After a statistical overview of sample members' activities after receiving their high school equivalency certificate, Chapter 2 explores the meaning of progress for this group of young women. Chapters 3 through 5 cover the experiences of these young women in the workplace, at school, and in their personal lives. Chapter 6 considers the women's backgrounds before they joined New Chance, then examines their experiences in the program, and, finally, considers their activities after leaving New Chance. Chapter 7 takes note of the significant degree of variation within the sample and its implications for program design. Chapter 8 reviews the study's key findings and then suggests lessons and possible directions for research, programs, and policies that arise from these findings. (NB)