In 1986, the United States Department of Education contracted with Pelavin Associates to conduct a study of the dropout problem in the United States. The research project was undertaken to provide a national overview of the dropout problem, focusing specifically on gender differences; and to identify successful or effective strategies for serving dropout-prone youth and school dropouts. The research was conducted in two phases, consisting of a research review and site visits to nine dropout prevention and recovery programs identified through the review to be relatively effective in reducing the incidence of school dropouts. The findings are reported in three volumes. This document, Volume III--Program Profiles, presents detailed descriptions of the nine programs reviewed in the site visits. The descriptions include information about the programs' background; the targets of the interventions; program organization and structure; program staff and services; and the effects of the program on attendance, achievement, and retention in school. The nine programs included in the report are: (1) Valued Youth Partnership (San Antonio, Texas); (2) Model School Adjustment Program (Broward County, Florida); (3) Project COFFEE (North Oxford, Massachusetts); (4) Peninsula Academies (Redwood City, California); (5) Dropout Prevention Program (New York City Public Schools); (6) LaGuardia Middle College High School (Queens, New York City); (7) Satellite Academy (New York City); (8) Educational Clinics (Washington State); and (9) Second Chance Pilot Program (Colorado). (NB)