Progress to date is summarized for a four-phase research project conducted by the New York State Education Department to identify the factors which affect a student's decisions to complete, postpone, or discontinue his/her occupational education at a two-year, postsecondary institution. After introductory material which examines the need for attrition research and then reviews the literature concerning attrition at two-year institutions, the report discusses the outcomes of Phase I of the project, which consisted of an analysis of attrition and retention data currently available at the New York Education Department. Included in this section is a comparison of the total number of completers and leavers by occupational program area among students at various state two-year institutions during 1978-79, as well as a summary of the major reasons students reported for dropping out. Next, the report analyzes findings for Phase II, during which data were collected from the State University of New York, the City University of New York, and the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities. Areas of investigation included causes of attrition, the use of exit interviews, and retention methods and their success. Finally, the report examines methodology to be used during Phases III and IV in collecting relevant data directly from the two-year colleges and in surveying the students. Data tables and a bibliography are included. (JP)