The problems of at-risk students are discussed in this document. The first chapter defines nine categories of students at risk: limited background attainments; personal development difficulties; physical deprivation; disease and illness; neglect or abuse; emotional handicaps; nonscholarly tendencies; substance addiction; and antisocial tendencies. The second chapter describes factors leading to at-risk students' problems, including personal/psychological factors; family environment factors; community environment factors; and school environment factors. Actions to take with students at-risk are discussed in the third chapter. Suggestions are provided for activities or programs in the areas of identification; referral to specialists; caring and mentoring; providing individual success through adapted instruction; cooperative learning; recognizing and rewarding progress; and strong programs on substance dependency. Parent involvement in preventing and promoting student problems is discussed in the fourth chapter. Finally long-term prevention planning in the areas of early childhood programs, humanizing schools to meet individual needs, and character and cultural development is discussed. The bibliography includes 264 references. (ABL)