The problem of early school leavers within a system that offers a wide range of vocational training at the secondary level is examined. Focus is on factors that influence a student to opt for a vocational program rather than remaining in a comprehensive high school or dropping out of school. By means of interviews and school attitude questionnaires, data were collected from 96 tenth-grade vocational students and 114 early school leavers in two Rhode Island communities. Additional information was gathered through school personnel interviews and school records. The findings include the following: the dropout rates for vocational schools are lower than their affiliated high schools; vocational students as compared to early school leavers had fewer school absences, better grade averages, and higher scores on intelligence tests and the California Achievement Test; and, for the most part, vocational students were career-oriented and chose their vocational program because it fit their future plans. (This report concludes with several suggestions for improving vocational education and dealing with potential school dropouts. The appendix includes the interview forms, school attitude questionnaires, personnel questionnaire, school record data collection sheet, a list of programs in Rhode Island for dropouts, and a list of courses and extracurricular activities common to urban and suburban schools.) (EM)