The research analyzed data sets covering 1981-1985 enrollments, transfers, and withdrawals at two large urban high schools (called Urbana and Northern) in eastern Massachusetts and personal interviews with selected school administrators in four school districts to investigate high dropout rates among Hispanics. Findings indicated that 30% of the 861 freshmen who entered Urbana in 1981 withdrew before that class graduated in June 1985, with 30-50% leaving before the end of their freshman year. Of 179 confirmed dropouts and 86 long-term absent students at Northern between September 1985 and February 1986, 58% were Hispanic. According to student records, 63% "left to seek employment," 33% left for unknown reasons, and only 8 left for school-related reasons dealing with grades, curriculum, and relationships with teachers/peers. Equal numbers of boys and girls withdrew from school and pregnancy or marriage was listed for only 4 Urbana dropouts. Gross dropout figures miss students who do not return following summer vacations or become "inactive." The study concluded that better recordkeeping is necessary for further research and intervention efforts. Centralized registration procedures, parent liaisons, and strong central administrative support for bilingual services have helped Northern do a better job of dropout intervention. (NEC)