New York State has the fifth highest dropout rate in the United States. Between 1980 and 1984 the dropout rate ranged between 32.8 percent and 34 percent. During the 1980-81 school year alone, over half (53 percent) of black high school students dropped out of school. Several approaches have been tried to decrease numbers of dropouts. This report reviews reasons students drop out and discusses dropout prevention efforts in New York State and their effectiveness. In general, findings show that inadequate planning is one of the main problems hampering program effectiveness. The following suggestions are made for dealing with the dropout problem: (1) ways must be found to involve parents more actively in the education of their children; (2) a long-term or longitudinal study of program effectiveness is required; (3) dropout programs should be considered long-term efforts to improve the quality of schooling; (4) community organizations can deliver many services better than the schools do; (5) state and local agencies must facilitate business and school collaboration; and (6) a learning plan should be developed for each student who is at risk. (PS)