A group of three conference papers, all addressing the subject of effective programs to decrease the number of school dropouts, is presented in this document. The first paper, "Systemic Approaches to Reducing Dropouts" (Michael Timpane), asserts that dropping out is a symptom of failures in the social, economic, and educational systems. Dropping out is the anti-climactic conclusion of a long, visible, and painful process, and the dropout problem will continue to worsen. Approaches to reducing the number of dropouts are susgested. The second paper, "Reducing Dropouts through Community Promoted Initiatives" (Roger D. Mitchell), consolidates suggestions for reducing dropouts through community and business promoted initiatives developed by community task forces on education in Rochester, New York, and Flint, Michigan. The third paper, "Innovative Community Sponsored Projects" (Lori S. Orum), discusses community-based approaches to improve the educational status of Hispanics developed by the National Council of La Raza, such as the Academia del Pueblo, Project Success, Project Second Chance, Parents as Partners, and the Teacher Support Network. Current project activities in Kansas City, Missouri; Rochester, New York; Phoenix, Arizona; Houston, Texas; and Chicago, Illinois are discussed and activities in other areas are briefly summarized. (BJV)