This booklet explains how service learning can be used to encourage out-of-school youth to return to an education program. The booklet begins with a discussion of the term "out-of-school youth" that includes the early warning signals indicating a potential for dropping out of school and circumstances and characteristics of potential school dropouts. After an exploration of the school-related, family-related, job-related, and other reasons why traditional school has failed out-of-school youth, selected practices from the area of education reform that have bearing on dropout prevention and retrieval are examined. Special attention is paid to the theory of multiple intelligences and the literature on community service learning and the school-to-work transition. The results of implementing service learning are reviewed. The following types of programs that have been successful at recapturing students are detailed: full-service community schools, adult learning centers, communities in schools, and AmeriCorps. Presented next are suggestions for service learning program planners regarding the following areas: school infrastructures, partnerships and connections, teacher training, and high-quality service learning. Concluding the booklet are descriptions and the addresses of five national organizations involved in dropout prevention. (Contains 24 references.) (MN)