In May 2008, the Center for Evaluation & Education Policy (CEEP) issued the Education Policy Brief, "Calculating High School Graduation Rates," which discussed the importance of accurate and reliable high school graduation data, various graduation rate calculation methods, the history behind the use of particular methodologies, and the nationwide trend towards the use of a cohort tracking system. This companion report continues to underscore the significance of high school dropout trends and programs which aim to prevent students from leaving school before graduation. The authors examine characteristics of students who drop out of high school and the reasons they discontinue their schooling early, and then highlight direct intervention programs which are primarily aimed at reaching at-risk students and helping them through school. The report concludes by considering holistic, school-wide reform efforts and their connection to dropout prevention. A Policy Perspective, The Road to Higher Gradation Rates is Built on Engaging All Students (Ethan Yazzie-Mintz) is included. Five web resources are included. (Contains 52 endnotes and 2 tables.) [For associated Policy Brief "Calculating High School Graduation Rates," see ED503862.]