A CASE STUDY OF HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUTS INVESTIGATED THE OGLALA SIOUX COMMUNITY. DATA GATHERED FROM A PREVIOUS STUDY WAS COMBINED WITH SEMISTRUCTURED INTERVIEW AND OBSERVATION DATA. INFORMATION WAS GATHERED ON SOCIAL SYSTEMS OF THE CLASSROOMS, SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY, PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND PUPILS. RELATIVELY COMPLETE DATA WERE OBTAINED FOR 153 SIOUX YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 13 AND 21. INCLUDED IN THESE WERE 29 DROUPOUTS. THE RESULTS INDICATED THAT DROPOUT WAS HIGHLY CORRELATED WITH EXTREME POVERTY. THE PERSONALITY, INTELLIGENCE, AND GENERAL ATTITUDE TOWARD SCHOOL OF THE DROPOUTS DID NOT DIFFER FROM THOSE WHO REMAINED IN SCHOOL. (RS)