This report of the number and percentage of senior high school students who left school before graduating found that: (1) 7% of the fall 1981 high school enrollment left before the end of the 1981-1982 school year; (2) leavers accounted for 6% from regular high schools enrollment, 51% from continuation high schools, and 7% from other high schools; (3) over 60% of early leavers left during the second semester; (4) there were 14% more male early leavers than females; (5) there were more tenth grade early leavers than eleventh or twelfth graders; (6) the average age of early leavers was 17.7 years; (7) Hispanics comprised 43% of early leavers, Whites 26%, Blacks 26%, Asians 4%, and American Indian/Alaskan Native 0.1%; (8) "overage" was the reason most commonly noted for eleventh and twelfth grade leavers and "whereabouts unknown" for tenth graders. Other reasons included: full-time employment, institutionalization, nonattendance or excessive absence. The report recommends the establishment within high schools of programs that seek to identify potential leavers, and provide counseling or guidance to help them remain in school. (PS)