A project was conducted in Kansas City, Missouri, to diminish the dropout rate by establishing an on-going linkage between the local high school and the adult basic education (ABE) program. The program involved the development of a system of dropout identification, contact, and referral from the secondary school to the ABE program for young adults 16 to 24 years of age and the collection and correlation of data on these young adults. Project activities included identification and direct referral by counselors, a home-school coordinator, other school district alternative programs, and outside agencies; meetings with counselors and principals at the secondary school to discuss the ABE program; involving secondary personnel in the advisory board; providing opportunities for secondary personnel to visit ABE sites; development of an ongoing system of feedback to secondary school personnel; and frequent communication. In the first year, 75 per cent of the 316 referrals enrolled in ABE clases. Data concerning area dropouts and program participants were collected and studied, and a follow-up study was also conducted. Although the project was considered highly effective, several recommendations were made to facilitate student involvement in high school equivalency programs. (Survey data and a project orientation unit are appended.) (MN)