This paper on the legal rights and remedies of high school dropouts and potential dropouts is a study of the plight of the substantial number of students who drop out of the New York public school system before considering high school graduation. Further, it questions the availability of legal rights to students and parents. Three sections constitute the document: (1) an introduction discussing the nature and magnitude of the problems; (2) an analysis of the manner in which the Board of Education violates New York State laws by failing to provide adequate staff for attendance services, employment certificate procedures, auxiliary schools or dropout referral programs, and suspension and exemption procedures; and (3) an examination of the constitutional right to a suitable education for all educationally deprived students. The latter section is analyzed in terms of a number of recent legal cases concerning handicapped children, non-English speaking students, and State institution patients, which cases are said to establish precedents for asserting a right to a meaningful educational opportunity. A discussion of what are labeled as manageable standards for effectuating judicial relief, considered under the specific headings of equal resources, bona fide efforts to provide suitable education, and attainment of minimum education standards, is included in the summary. (Author/AM)