Conducted in 1965 by the Wisconsin Department of Public Welfare, this study sought to (1) bring about a better understanding of the school dropout, (2) determine major dropout causes, and (3) identify difficulties and achievements of dropouts in the Lakeland Union High School, Wisconsin. Utilizing a control group of 100 students selected on the basis of sex, parent occupation, geographical location of home, and race (Indian or Anglo)--all of which corresponded with the dropout group--it was established through interview that poverty and the accompanying cultural traits contributed most heavily to a student's dropping out. The poverty group" was characterized by (1) hostility toward the community and its power structure, (2) dependency upon welfare, and (3) "today" being the only real entity in time. The non-poverty group showed the attitudes of rejection as well as paternalism toward the poverty group. Lack of leadership ability and lack of participation in extracurricular activities, negative or non-caring attitudes by parents, lack of academic achievement, and lack of periodicals in the home all correlated positively to dropouts. This study also pointed out that Indian dropouts may be running from cultural conflict in the society, in instructional assumptions, and in value judgments of the school. An appendix showing the age at withdrawal (by month) and age-sex distribution of the populations in 10 district towns is included, along with survey instruments and a bibliography. (MJB)