While attitude has long been recognized as a precursor to behavior, overt behavior does not consistently indicate attitude. To compare the attitudinal differences of successful students and potential high school dropouts toward teachers, education, parent/peers, and school behavior, 42 students in grades 9-12 completed the Demos D Scale. An analysis of the results showed that both groups held strong negative attitudes toward teachers. However, the potential dropout students also held strong negative attitudes toward school behavior. This combination of negative attitudes toward both teachers and appropriate school behavior precedes dropping out of school. It is suggested that programs designed to address only behavior are ineffective because they ignore the attitudinal precursors of the overt negative behavior of the dropout. (Author/BL)