There is a growing concern at the national, state, and local levels over the number of students who are leaving school without graduating. In response to this concern, Spokane School District No. 81 in Spokane, Washington established a ninth-grade task force to examine the issue of dropouts. This report reviews related literature examined by the task force, highlights out-of-district program designs that maximize the success of ninth graders and dropouts in general, tabulates and analyzes district data on dropouts, and provides recommendations for further study. Tables are included which illustrate dropout rates by state for 1982 and 1984; the District No. 81 annual state dropout report; and District No. 81 dropout data comparisons by year and grade level for 1969 through 1972, 1976 through 1979, and 1983 through 1986. Figures illustrate the economic impact of dropouts, issues related to dropout-prone students in a middle-class suburban high school, the percent of 9th through 12th graders who drop out by year and by grade level, and the Spokane School District No. 81 curriculum and intervention programs and services. Materials relevant to the task force operations are appended. (NB)