This manual presents a viable school program for grades K-12 to help reduce the number of school dropouts. Characteristics of potential dropouts and alternative programs to meet the needs of these students are given. Although this manual is divided into sections for elementary (K-6) and secondary (7-12) school students, many of the ideas presented are appropriate for either of the two grade spans. Section A is devoted to grades K-6 and includes discussions on nonattendance in elementary school and on identifying the poorly adjusted child. The Elementary School Pupil Adjustment Scale (ESPAS) is recommended for use by teachers to help in identifying potential dropouts in grades K-3, and the Dropout Alert Scale (DAS) is recommended for use in grades 4-6. A list of 15 potential dropout characteristics is provided and a dropout prevention program for elementary students is outlined. Section B is devoted to grades 7-12 and includes discussions on 16 characteristics of potential dropouts and the use of the DAS to identify them, recommendations for changing the behavior of potential dropouts; an alternative classroom for potential dropouts with discipline problems; a dropout prevention program; and a plan for helping dropouts make a start in the outside world. Appendices contain the ESPAS form with instructions for use, the DAS form and scoring key, and the School Sentiment Index for secondary school students. (NRB)