This resource handbook was developed to provide constituent school district personnel with a variety of strategies for improving student attendance and for reducing the dropout rate. A significant number of studies completed during the last 5 years have identified attendance as the critical issue confronting school administrators. Further, recent statistical data emanating from the U.S. Department of Education, state departments of education, and local education agencies indicate that the number of pupils who are withdrawing prior to completing high school is also a critical issue. Chapter 1 of this handbook provides information about 106 programs/ideas that are being implemented throughout the United States and Canada and are having a positive effect on improving attendance or on reducing the dropout rate. The appendix contains the 1981-82 average daily attendance rates for 47 states; dropout statistics by race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, community type, geographic area, and high school programs; a program information form; and a sample program information form. (KM)