This publication, the first in a series of three monographs on school dropout research, is designed to provide background information as a foundation for local programs planning throughout the Canadian provinces. Topics in this monograph include definitions of dropouts, characteristics of persons who drop out of school, factors that identify at-risk students, characteristics of programs or approaches that have met with some success in preventing at-risk students from leaving school before graduation, and implications for special education. Programs that offer possible remedies to the dropout problem are discussed under three broad categories: :"fix the child,""fix components of the system," and "restructure the system." (Contains 18 references.) (JDD)