This report on secondary school dropouts consists of an analysis of the scope and nature of the dropout problem, a discussion of successful programs and activities for dropouts, a description of a pilot study involving Minnesota public secondary schools and Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) agencies, and presentation of recommendations based on study findings. Discussed in the section describing the scope of the dropout problem are rates and trends; dropout subgroups (age/grade level, sex, American Indians, Blacks, Hispanics, migrant workers, and youth with limited English proficiency); socioeconomic status; and problems and circumstances (withdrawal reasons, educational achievement, ability level, school attitudes and behavior, delinquency, mental health, self-concept, family life, abuse, and economics). Examined next are program planning considerations; five local Minnesota dropout programs; four local programs outside Minnesota; state-initiated programs and services in ten states (Minnesota, Maine, Oregon, South Carolina, California, North Carolina, Washington, Louisiana, Florida, and North Dakota); and federally sponsored programs (Job Corps and the Youth Incentive Entitlement Pilot Projects). Summarized next are data concerning student characteristics as obtained from a pilot study involving 24 Minnesota public schools and 24 counterpart CETA agencies. Recommendations relating to program development, funding, cooperation, and technical assistance are presented. (MN)