This document consists of Part 4 of a book of readings on at-risk youth designed to provide information and strategies for counselors, teachers, parents, administrators, social workers, and others who work with youth at risk. Part 4 deals with the school dropout and school and community programs that have proven to be effective in working with at-risk populations. "Understanding and Preventing School Dropout" (James Kushman & Paula Kinney) discusses the complexity of the dropout problem and presents information that addresses the dropout issue from the perspective of the student, the family, the school, and the community. Intervention strategies are discussed that focus on both the individual and the larger system in which the individual functions. "The Solution Lies in Programs That Work" (Walter Hathaway, Carolyn Sheldon, & Patrick McNamara) contains information related to regional and national programs directed at helping at-risk youth. Programs were selected for inclusion in this chapter based on the positive effects they have demonstrated with the at-risk population. (NB)