This handbook offers a variety of prevention and therapeutic services that can be tailored to meet the unique characteristics of a school and community. In section 1, an overview of the dropout problem and the comprehensive dropout prevention strategy are presented. In section 2, on needs assessment, data collection, objective selection, and program design are discussed. In Section 3, focusing on the individual, methods of identification and intervention are presented. In section 4, six categories of prevention approaches are discussed: tutorial; counseling/advising; work-related; alternative curriculum; parent involvement; and student-centered. In section 5, four areas relating to staff are discussed including the role of the regular classroom staff, the characteristics of the ideal staff person, common staff patterns, and the process and procedures of staffing a prevention effort. In section 6, the use of resources and facilities is addressed. Program evaluation issues and methods are addressed in section 7. In sections 8 and 9 the focus is on the establishment and maintenance of program support within the school and the community. In section 10, strategies and methods for involving parents in the prevention effort are presented. In section 11, the use of a community advisory committee is explored. Section 12, on educating the school and community in dropout prevention through inservice, concludes the handbook. References and sample tools and instruments are attached to each section. (BL)